(Disclaimer: Yes, I know this has nothing to do with locs or natural hair. However, I want to also provide you with information on natural remedies and treatments that I've tried from time to time so you can look and feel your best from head to toe. Carry on....)
Young and old, slender and plump, women all face a common problem: cellulite. That dimply, orange peel, cottage cheese appearance of the skin on women's buttocks and thighs. The textured look occurs when connective tissue between fat and skin stretches, breaks down or tightens, as explained by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). This allows cellulite to bulge out in pockets. As we get older, cellulite tends to get worse due to a decrease in the elasticity of skin and connective tissue.
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| See? You're just like Rihanna |
Looking at magazines and tabloids you would think that cellulite is a horrible curse befallen on an unlucky few, but in actuality 80-95% of women have some amount of cellulite. And this is not just for the plus-sized ladies; thin women have cellulite too, and even after weight loss cellulite does not necessarily go away. Weight loss and muscle toning may certainly reduce the appearance of cellulite but there is no effective treatment that can eliminate it completely.
However, that doesn't stop companies from trying. There are a myriad of creams, lasers, massage treatments, and diets that are all designed to help eliminate cellulite, many of them rather expensive. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on these treatments, there is a simple, inexpensive and "green" way to reduce the appearance of cellulite that is found in just about every kitchen and break room everywhere: used coffee grounds. Caffeine is a common ingredient in many anti-cellulite creams and serums. Caffeine, when applied topically, works to temporarily tighten and tone the skin, reducing the appearance of lumps and dimples. Caffeine stimulates blood flow (while also constricting blood vessels) and has anti-inflammatory properties. However, it must be noted that caffeine taken internally can actually make cellulite problems worse due to it's diuretic properties. It is important for cellulite treatment, and for good health in general, to keep your body well hydrated and promote the elimination of toxins in the body.
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| Don't pitch those old grounds just yet |
In order to do this simple and inexpensive treatment, take the coffee grounds from the coffee maker (don't use decaffeinated, of course), mix with approximately 2 tablespoons of olive oil, warm in the microwave for a few seconds (10-20 seconds only; you want it warm, not hot!) massage into the skin for 2-5 minutes, then rinse. You will want to do this in the bathtub or shower, as the grounds tend to get very messy. For extra effectiveness, wrap the areas in plastic wrap and sit or lie down for about 20 minutes, then rinse. Your skin will be soft and supple and over time it will temporarily decrease the appearance of cellulite. You may not see miraculous improvements instantly, but at the very least it is an effective exfoliator that improves the texture and appearance of skin. You are also recycling and reusing material that would otherwise simply go into the trash.
My personal testimonial for this treatment: Last year I did a bike wash fundraiser for a friend of mine. It was something fun to do and I made a little money off the tips. For the most part I looked good (for a 31 year old with 2 children) but I kind of cringed when looking at photos from the rear. Not that the other women there didn't have cellulite as well, but I personally wasn't happy about it. So this year my friend calls me again and initially I told her no after looking at my cheesy thighs and poochy stomach from falling off my clean eating wagon. Then I decided to go back to eating right for a week and see what happened, and also try the coffee grounds treatment. The day before the bike wash I massaged the coffee grounds and olive oil mixture all over my thighs and butt and wrapped the whole area in plastic wrap for 20 minutes. While my thighs weren't airbrush smooth, I was still very happy with the result and noticed a definite improvement:
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| Nobody got un-friended or killed when this pic was posted on Facebook |
I did the treatment a second time (as my parents supply me with limitless amounts of used coffee grounds), this time all over my body. My boyfriend even commented on how smooth and soft my skin was, officially making this a regular addition to my beauty regimen.
What are 3 products or tools you cannot live without?
I have a confession to make: My hair is looking pretty darn crappy right now. Yes, we natural hair and loc'd folks always rave about how beautiful and wonderful our curls, kinks and knots are, and while they are that overall, I must recognize and acknowledge that we have our bad hair days (weeks/months) too. This is especially true for those of us with locs that are not yet mature (baby and teenage). I love my locs, don't get me wrong, but right now I wish I could wrap them up in headwraps til November (my 1 year mark). The term "teenage locs" is not a misnomer, and like real teenagers, sometimes they like to challenge you and disobey and must be put on punishment, or just sent away to their room so you can take a minute to think and breathe.
2. When and why did you decide to go natural?
