One lump or a few? Lumps in general are pretty undesirable things. Lumpy custard, lumpy gravy, that lumpiness you get in your duvet when it’s not spread out properly, lumps on your head from which you don’t know the source of, humps in the road, those lumps you get in your throat when trying to swallow disappointment or grief…in general we don’t associate lumps with positive images. And what about dimples? They sound relatively harmless? 

I had a friend who could get away with murder with her dimpled smile. There’s something about them, an endearing feature on any face, they’re so youthful and childlike, such a curious feature, whether you have one or two, people with dimples have an advantage with these tiny but affective qualities, offering innocence and charm. 

I don’t have one or two, I have several dimples. But they’re not in the cheeks on my face. They don’t win people over, they aren’t an attractive feature, and people never stop to compliment them. Like most seemingly bad things, the less it’s talked about the better. My cellulite won’t cause people to swoon, people are more likely to run off and hide, yet these kinds of dimples are actually a more frequently occurring kind than the cute ones. 

A huge lump (80-90%) of women start to produce cellulite during or after puberty. For something we’d like to kept well hidden, that’s a lot of women with a lot of hiding to do. But we’re still braving the beach at holiday resorts despite any concerns of the taboo this dimpled-ness carries. There is not a miracle cure for these lumps and bumps but things can be done to reduce the appearing of cellulite but we have to accept that it occurs as naturally as wrinkles or blemishes. 

This delight can be found on your thighs, stomach and rear end - all the areas which we’d like to expose when the weather gets warmer and we’re sitting on a beach aiming to go a few shades darker. In fact, getting a tan can actually help with the appearance of cellulite as it is generally less noticeable on darker skin which is why a self tan can be a good quick fix in masking any signs of unevenness. Of course, staying out in the sun to darken is a less favourable idea unless you want to add more sketchy lines and creases to your body. All in all, these are not the kind of lady lumps we’re so proud of showing off.

“Cottage cheese” or “the orange peel effect” - some might call this a relatively balanced diet but cellulite gets these nick names because its appearance resembles both of those said foods and at the same time puts us off eating them. Cellulite is actually a fancy name for collections of fat that pushes against the connective tissue beneath a person's skin, which causes the surface of the skin to dimple or pucker and look lumpy. To see if you have cellulite, pinch your upper thigh and look at the surface of your skin. If it’s bumpy and uneven that could be a sign, that you, and  up to 90% of the post-adolescent female population have it. If it’s smooth, your genes should be commended as they are a big part of what determines whether you get it or not. I imagine your jeans, also look pretty great too on your enviably smooth skin. 

So, is there any way we can sieve these lumps out? Not exactly, as scientists are adamant that there is no proven miracle treatment for cellulite, certainly not to iron out all the bumps completely. But the appearance can be improved dramatically through varying means of diet and exercise. 

Cellulite is not related to your size. People who are of a healthy weight can develop it just as prominently as people who are overweight. But your diet and your lifestyle can determine the severity of it. Some foods are thought to help improve your current condition of cellulite and others have been thought to worsen it. A diet to reduce cellulite can not only be good for your waistline but it really aims to get rid of toxins in your body.  Drinking plenty of water, eating fresh fruit, vegetables and plenty of protein are all vital in helping to fight the toxins in your body and provide nutrition, respectively. That’s if oranges and cottage cheese aren’t forever off your food list now. 

Foods to avoid are alcohol, caffeine and sugar and refined carbohydrates. Not only will consumption of too much alcohol make fat cells bigger, it also slows down blood flow and contributes to the absorption of fat and toxins in your blood stream. Furthermore, alcohol also makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients, particularly vitamins C and A, necessary for the elimination of free radicals. Caffeine also contributes to the creation of toxins and to poor blood circulation so one or two cups a day should be your maximum caffeine intake to avoid an increase of lumpy features. 

Foods that are rich in refined carbohydrates augment the formation of fat cells in your body. Consumption of too much sugar is also a big factor in your fat formation and poor blood circulation. If you reduce sugar consumption, you will not only be helping eliminate cellulite, but you will also help manage your weight and lower your risk of developing diabetes and other serious illnesses.

Exercise is one of the most effective ways to keep cellulite to a minimal because it improves your circulation which can combat water retention and helps the tissues under the skin to rejuvenate and properly absorb the excess fat. Burning calories and fat and building muscle all helps to ensure skin round your hips and thighs are leaner and therefore smoother. 

As it’s May, and the weather is starting to look more promising, now is a good time to pay attention to all those areas that in a few months you’ll be wanting to expose in the (fingers crossed) 30 degrees heat we can expect this summer. If you already have subtle signs of cellulite, or perhaps it’s quite extreme and making you hesitant about revealing more in the warm weather, an effective topical treatment will visibly help reduce the bumps and dimples you have on your problem areas. Like most blemishes and imperfections it can take a few weeks or a few months for them to improve or disappear but using a treatment twice a day every day for at least two months can really effectively reduce the extremity of your cellulite. 

The ingredients of Lubatti’s Essential Anti-cellulite Oil have been chosen specifically to help improve the appearance of cellulite.  The oils used work together to help kick start the circulatory system, helping to eliminate toxins and waste from your body.  In addition, Lubatti’s anti-cellulite oil also helps to tone and nourish your skin, thus improving the overall evenness of your skin. As well as smelling beautiful, when you rub the oil onto your problem areas the warming sensation you feel are the ingredients stimulating your skin which help combat the appearance of all your cellulite. 

Life, it seems, is full of lumps and bumps. We can either struggle to climb over them, or at least attempt to flatten them out first.

Lubatti’s Anti-cellulite Oil can be purchased from SpaceNK stores or via www.lubatti.com.  There’s no time like the present…