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Cold showers and cellulite: fact or fiction?

Cold showers or cryotherapy are said to offer numerous benefits, including the elimination of cellulite. Is this a myth or reality? Here are some insights to shed light on this.

Summary

The benefits of cold showers
How to take cold showers to eliminate cellulite?
Other tips to prevent the onset of cellulite
Sources

Published November 5, 2021, updated on August 8, 2024, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 3 min read

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Cellulite

The benefits of cold showers.

The fat that causes cellulite tends to accumulate on the buttocks, thighs, and hips. Cold temperatures stimulate brown fat, which then melts away. A stream of water at 68ºF for 2 to 3 minutes can burn 100 to 200 calories. Thanks to the effect of the cold, the veins contract, thereby improving blood circulation and eliminating cellulite. The result is visible on the skin, which regains a smooth appearance.

Cold water jets combat circulatory issues, particularly in the legs. To appreciate the results, this action should be performed daily at the end of your shower. Apply a cold water jet starting from the ankles up to the waist, and finish with a massage to promote drainage and activate micro-circulation.

How to take cold showers to eliminate cellulite?

The use of cold water jets or cryotherapy is a technique worth considering to combat cellulite or reduce the appearance of orange peel skin. To achieve the desired results, it is important to proceed in the correct manner.

To acclimate to the cold, one must gradually decrease the temperature;
Start from the bottom up: the feet, the ankles, and so on;
Take a pause of a few seconds before resuming;
If possible, gradually increase the water pressure.

To combat cellulite, adopting a healthy lifestyle is also necessary. Indeed, in order to prevent the dimples from worsening and the cellulite from persisting, it is advisable to exercise and to favora diet rich in fiber, among other things. Lean meats and fish as well as foods rich in omega 3 are also recommended.

Other tips to prevent the onset of cellulite.

Massage fights cellulite in the thighs, buttocks, calves, and abdomen. It should be performed three times a week. It stimulates the skin and activates drainage. To ensure its effectiveness, start from the bottom of your body and work your way up using the kneading and rolling technique. This improves blood circulation and breaks up fat clusters.

For massage, you can choose from several oils, including argan oil. Known for its effects against free radicals, it firms the skin and limits the appearance of cellulite. Alternatively, to bring flexibility and elasticity to your skin, adopt our gel-in-oil with baobab oil. A body cream based on caffeine is also recommended to tone the epidermis, while reducing the appearance of orange peel skin.