The "C" word

It is the dirty word no woman wants to hear.

Cellulite.

The good news is that 90% of women over the age of 18 have cellulite, no matter how skinny or curvy you are, so you are not alone. The bad news is that is nearly impossible to get rid of.

Even celebrities have cellulite. Poor Mischa Barton was scrutinized last year by the paparazzi for having cellulite, and painfully close-up pictures of her butt and thighs were splashed all over the tabloids. Clearly there is no magic cure for cellulite, otherwise celebrities would have cottoned on years ago, but there are some steps women can take to reduce the problem.

Dry brushing is a technique that is very cheap and easy to do, but has many benefits. Cellulite is a non-scientific term defined as toxic deposits of subcutaneous fat material and fibrous tissue that are not able to be eliminated and which cause a dimpling effect on the overlying skin.
Dry brushing boosts circulation and helps to drain the lymphatic system in the body, which breaks down fatty deposits in the skin and eliminates cellulite-causing toxins. Dry brushing also helps to boost your immune system and improves your digestive system, while exfoliating the skin at the same time. Even better, dry brushing tightens skin, tones muscles, and is said to be the equivalent of 20 minutes of pilates!

How does this dry brushing thing work?

You can use any natural fibre bath or body brush, just make sure the bristles are not too rough.
I use the Round Body Brush, $12 from The Body Shop, and it is awesome because it has an easy grip handle and the round shape is designed for optimum massage benefits.

Before you get into the bath or shower, use the body brush to massage your skin in a circular motion starting from the feet and moving up towards the head. Pay extra attention to areas where there is cellulite, and always massage towards your heart, not away from it. The process should last about 10/15 mins for best results, so take your time, relax and enjoy the invigorating massage! Always shower after dry brushing to wash away toxins from the skin.

I tried dry brushing for the first time yesterday, and it felt fantastic. My skin feels much softer and smoother already! This is something that I really want to stick to, so watch this space for an update.