How infrared saunas are one of the best ways to combat cellulite

Although it's often thought of as a "woman's problem," cellulite actually affects men and women in equal measure. Cellulite is caused by a build-up of fat cells in the subcutaneous layer of the skin, which can cause dimpled skin. Although there's no surefire way to make it go away, there are some things that can help in reducing the appearance of cellulite.

Infrared saunas are one such treatment, along with other laser treatments and dry brushing techniques. In this article, we'll go into some of these treatments as well as preventative measures to reduce or manage cellulite.

How infrared saunas are one of the best ways to combat cellulite

Cellulite. A word that strikes fear in the hearts of men and women everywhere. We've all heard the rumours and have the media pick us a part for having it - because let's face it, everybody has it.

What if I told you that those rumours and fears are false? Cellulite is caused by a number of factors and however bad the stigma may feel, the truth is they aren't an indicator of health. It's actually very normal to have, and thus the stigma and how it's portrayed and makes us feel is the issue.

While changing the perspective of society probably won't happen in this post, we do want to talk about how you can feel carefree about cellulite in general. So let's forget about the stigma and focus on what has been shown to work to help us look and feel our best! Read on for tips on how to say goodbye to your idea of cellulite once and for all!

The science of cellulite: what causes it and how to treat it

Cellulite is a common beauty concern that can affect both men and women. It's caused by a build-up of fat cells in the skin, which can cause the skin to appear lumpy.

Almost 90% of women have it and it is common in women after they reach puberty. People have tried many different ways to treat cellulite, from dry brushing to foam rolling, to removing toxins through profuse sweating. Most skincare brands will have a gel-like substance that makes these claims, however, there is not a lot of evidence to show whether or not these treatments are safe and effective.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of cellulite, including:

Genetics: if your parents have cellulite, you're more likely to develop it too

Hormones: changes in estrogen levels can contribute to the development of cellulite

Diet: eating foods that are high in fat and calories can increase your chances of developing cellulite

Lifestyle habits: smoking and drinking alcohol can also increase your chances of developing cellulite

Because no remedy for cellulite has been found to be true in scientific research, the best approach to avoid it is to maintain a healthy weight and exercise on a daily basis.

As the appearance of cellulite comes from a build-up of fat cells in one place on the body, it's logical to think that weight loss and lowering of body fat percentage is the cure. This may be the case for many, but as mentioned above there may be more than one factor contributing to its appearance.

Fat cells, why do we have them and why do they do this?

Fat cells are the cells in our body that store energy in the form of lipids. When we eat, these cells take in the food and store the energy for later use. We store fat cells because they play an important role in energy storage and blood circulation and also help to keep the body warm.

Fat cells are predominantly stored in the stomach and thighs as these regions have more superficial fat. However, diet is the main reason for an increase in fat cells. Consuming extra calories while having a sedentary lifestyle will result in weight gain and subsequently larger numbers of fat cells. Moreover, toxins and pollutants cause additional increases in stored fat cells as they act as buffers to remove circulating harmful substances from the blood.

What naturally reduces cellulite?

If the appearance of your skin tone is coming from a poor diet or lifestyle habits, then losing weight and implementing a healthy diet and daily routine could solve most of your worries.

Exercising to reduce cellulite makes sense in this instance, as it is the appearance of trapped fat in an area. An exercise program will help you burn fat, burn calories and pump blood around the body. An increase in muscle tone will help keep skin firm and provide a better overall appearance of skin. Combined with a healthy diet and no processed foods will make help to lose weight and feel fabulous in the skin we're in.

Another natural remedy is to use a dry brush, gua sha or other utensils that stimulates oxygen-rich blood towards the skin to promote healing. These natural remedies are usually encompassing all types of body skin complexions including stretch marks or scars.

While there are a number of possible factors that can contribute to cellulite, it is itself not an indicator of overall health and a lack of scientific evidence on the treatment of cellulite is scarce.

However, if you fall into the category of wanting to do something about your skin other than what's mentioned, infrared saunas and laser therapy - red light therapy more specifically may be a safe and non-invasive way to achieve this.

Safe ways to treat cellulite

While a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna have multiple health benefits for the body, there are a few specific reasons why it is thought infrared sauna therapy can really support skin appearance.

To start, far infrared sauna therapy has been proven time and time again to assist in weight loss, and as mentioned earlier may be an easy way to improve the complexion of the skin. A sauna works by raising the core body temperature, and this activates sweat. To sweat, the body must burn energy and to do so, activates the cardiovascular system. This is true for traditional saunas and the infrared sauna, however, infrared heat has an additional property that makes it especially effective for reducing cellulite.

Do infrared saunas help with cellulite?

Recent studies have looked at the relationship between infrared wavelengths and heat, and the effects it has on our skin. While infrared has been shown to help prevent premature skin aging, infrared heat also has a unique attribute in toxin removal that relates to treating cellulite.

Far infrared sauna detoxification occurs because the infrared wavelengths have deep penetration into the fat cells, causing them to vibrate and melt away. In combination with the increased circulation, widen blood vessels and overall lower blood pressure from the infrared heat cause stubborn toxins once held in the fat can pass through the body's natural detoxification pathways such as the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and of course sweat from the skin.

Does heat break up cellulite?

Similar to how dry brushing, gua sha and foam rolling are thought to help in reducing cellulite, the breakdown of the physical fat cells in this area also prevents cellulite formation. Additionally to breaking down the fat cells through infrared light and weight loss attributes, infrared saunas prevent the body from storing toxins in the first place by regularly maintaining a healthy level.

How do you flush out cellulite?

There is no way to 'flush out' cellulite, however, through the properties of infrared saunas mentioned above, cellulite reduction from an infrared sauna session can occur. The misconception that you can flush out cellulite most likely comes from these properties mentioned, such as:

• An infrared sauna causes you to lose weight
• An infrared sauna increases blood circulation
• Infrared light targets and melts away fat cells
• An infrared sauna detoxifies you

All of which results in sweating, and hence the visualisation of being able to "flush out" cellulite.

How long does it take to see results from an infrared sauna?

The jury is still out on exactly how effective infrared saunas are at treating cellulite, as the scientific literature does not yet exist. However, what we do know is that a study showed an increase in core body temperature resulted in a decrease in body fat. Three Clearlight® Sauna sessions a week at 30 minutes dropped an average of 4% body fat over a four-month period.

Although stress is typically a hidden culprit, high levels of stress can cause us to hold on to extra fat and make us feel sluggish. Stress cannot be entirely alleviated by diet or exercise alone, and infrared saunas have also been found to reduce stress.

Infrared sauna: Cellulite before and after

While there is no documentation available on the before and after photos of patients using far infrared sauna therapy to reduce cellulite, the scientific literature currently available suggests that infrared sauna use can support many contributing factors to cellulite.

Of course, there is no one glove fits all approach when it comes to how our bodies react, however maintaining a healthy lifestyle proves time and time again the best possible way to feel great, cellulite and all.

If you're interested in an infrared sauna cabin for your home, click here to view our range of saunas.

Clearlight would like to remind users that this should not be taken as direct medical advice, and you should always consult a licensed health practitioner before making any significant changes to your lifestyle or existing pain treatment regimen.