Remove Arm Cellulite: What works?

The dreaded arm cellulite. You figure you can wear shorts, skirts and capris to hide the legs during summer, but when the scourge pops up on your arms...what to do? Now I can't even wear tee shirts? In ARIZONA? I've had this problem recently (despite relatively skinny arms) and knew I needed to do something. My best solution is as follows:

I've discovered there are a few things that work well:

1. Massage: I have a Wellbox and use it for temporary smoothness when wearing short sleeves. If you don't one of these machines, you can lightly massage the area (use kneading motion) for a bit of relief. Also, (don't laugh), you can use a rolling pin or similar item to roll over the area. This will actually help make the area look smoother but only temporarily. Be careful and don't get overzealous--I've actually given myself bruises doing this one!





2. Dry brushing: Using a body brush (needs to be a bit stiff--not too soft), brush your body starting from the soles of your feet on up (skip chest, face and any other sensitive areas). This will help stimulate circulation and actually help all over cellulite. It's an oldie but a goodie 'cause it does seem to work.









3. Bliss Stimulator: You can get this at http://www.blissworld.com/ This is a little rubber nubbly thing that you use in the shower. I usually soap up over use it over in-shower body lotion (it helps when you use it with a product to give it a bit of slip). This little thing actually works pretty well. Just rub it around in a circular motion and back and forth. It'll really help stimulate the area and the cellulite at least "looks" diminished. As with most cellulite tricks, it only does so much and it only works if you work it. **Note: Don't be swayed by most of the other cellulite wonders they sell--they don't really work.



4. Neutrogena Cellulite Patches: The serum doesn't really work in my experience, but the patches! Wow, those do make the area much smoother (again, temporarily). I've used them on my arms and thighs and slept with them on. I would suggest wearing them two or three nights a week and only if you know you'll be showing off your arms the next day ('cause they can get expensive). Also, if you wear them too often or for too long, they can cause a bit of a reaction (not pretty). Get 'em at your local drugstore.



5. Old fashioned weights: I know, ugh! Truly, the only way I got rid of the stuff (or greatly dimished it) was to bump up my weights and arm workouts. I used to use 3 to 5 pound weights, but when I started using 8 to 10 pounders, I really noticed a difference. Also, vary the workouts; don't just do the same curls and kick-backs. You can also do less reps with heavier weights, but do them often (I think they recommend every other day with a day of rest in-between). I try to do a heavy day (8-10 lbs.) and a light day (3-6 lbs.) and then a day of rest. Seems to work!

What works for you? Let me know! www.agelessbeautypro.com

40 & Fabulous? Be a Part of My Next Book!

Get published in our new book:40 on 40 — The real deal about the big FOUR OH!*

OK, here’s the deal:

Calling all 39+ year old women to tell your story (the good, bad and the ugly) for a new book on turning the BIG 40! I’m particularly interested in those of you who take on aging gracefully with courage and humor.

Please be from 39 to 50, female only, any race, religion or lifestyle. Be geared toward aging well with the tools you have (whatever they may be for you) and sharing that information in an interview format.

Please join us and get your story published. Be an inspiration to other women out there! Just click here to get started: 40 and Fabulous!

Quick Tip: Sallow & Pale Skin? Revive in 60 Seconds Flat!

We’ve all had those days…we wake up and look in the mirror and feel about 100 years old. Our skin is pale and saggy. We look drawn and tired. What can we do in about 60 seconds to change it?

First, revive your skin: Take a warm (near hot) washcloth and press it into your face for about 10 seconds. Then, use it to exfoliate/slough off any dry skin by buffing it around your face for a few seconds. Be gentle, but really give yourself a good buffing. This will immediately give you a rosy glow and give your skin a nice, smooth finish.

Second, get your best moisturizer (the stuff you only use on special occassions) and rub it in your palms (add a drop of self-tanner/bronzer if you have it). Spread this on your face with patting motions (use your palm and fingers to pat it into your face vs. just slathering it on). This will give you a plump-skin look.

Third, let the moisturizer dry for a few seconds (brush your teeth, gargle, brush hair, etc.). Then, when it’s dry, take a bit of powder bronzer and sweep it all over your face. Use a LIGHT touch! You just need a hint of color–plus you don’t want a lot of powder when your skin isn’t at its best. Just use a bit for color. Then take a tiny bit of bright (pink, coral) blush onto your brush and swirl it into the apple of your cheek. This will immediatley make you look alive.

If you’ve got the time, you can add lipstick, use Visine (great for brightening your eyes), curl your lashes and add mascara plus a drop of off-white eyeshadow on your lids (no shimmer) for extra verve.
These few things always work for me and are quick and easy. They will definitely make you look like you’re rested and ready-to-go (even if you don’t feel it).

More: www.agelessbeautypro.com

Review Update: Accent for Cellulite & Face Firming

I am such a guinea pig. I try nearly anything--especially for cellulite! You can read my first post about the Accent treatment. After numerous requests from readers, I've decided to give you an update. I've had a full treatment package of 6+ treatments on my worst cellulite area (front of my thighs) and I'm just starting treatments on the back of my thighs. In addition, I've started treatments for firming my face. Here goes...

The treatments last about 35-45 minutes. They consist of running a radio-frequency "wand" over the area (the cellulite body treatments include two probes: one for liquifying and reducing fat deposits and one for skin firming). Now, I'm going to be honest: They can hurt. The wands get very hot (scorching) and sometimes can cause a very painful moment. I've not had any burns or any telltale signs (except for a few bruises where the wand was run repeatedly over a certain area). If you have an experience practitioner, the hot spots aren't so bad, but be prepared either way.

Did it work? Well yes and no. After my second treatment I saw really noticable results so of course I expected amazing results as I went on. Unfortunately I seemed to pleateau and not until after my 6th treatment (plus a stepped-up exercise routine), did I see more good results. I do drink a ton of water, have a decent diet (no yo-yo weight gains/losses) and I work out nearly daily, still I have noticeable cellulite. This has helped, but I do feel I would need more treatments or at the very least, a solid monthly maintenance plan to keep it at bay.
I've started the treatments on the back of my thighs and I'll keep you posted on how they go--not much noticeable yet.

For the face...my face isn't showing extreme age yet. I do maintenance (Thermage, peels, etc.) to keep sagging and wrinkles away. This treatment is mostly as a preventative measure for me. I do feel these treatments are worth it. I am always told I look at least 10 years younger than I am so I guess what I'm doing is working! These Accent treatment for face firming are not bad. They wand does get hot and there have been a few "ouch" moments, but no lingering problems. Plus they feel pretty good when they are just warm. They leave my face glowing and looking and feeling firmer but this is temporary. I will complete the set of 6 and keep you posted.

All in all, Accent has helped "remove" some of the cellulite from my thighs. I need to complete a full set of 6 on the back to see if it goes better than the front. The pictures they show of results are pretty remarkable and honestly, I wouldn't expect these results, but it does help. However, with hours of appts., thousands of dollars and a bit of pain Accent isn't necessarily the wunderkind I was expecting.

www.agelessbeautypro.com

Review: NIA24 Mineral Sunscreen Rocks!

NIA24, Niacin powered skin therapy. 100% Mineral Sunscreen. UVA/UVB/SPF 30

DESCRIPTION:

Physician recommended duo-action sun damage prevention and 100% mineral sunscreen in a weightless, oil-free lotion that absorbs instantly for complete protection. Suitable for sensitive skin.
Review: This product was a sample included in my Test Tube from New Beauty (great magazine and website). I likely would have never tried it due to the fact I’d never heard of it and the product packaging is a little dull. (I like a pretty package, I guess.)

I received this with its companion product, NIA Strenthening Complex Repair Cream. I took them on a trip up to Scottsdale (major sunshine) since they were trial-sized and easy to pack. After a late night of the Phoenix Art Walk, drining and cocktails, I used the Repair Cream before bed. The next morning, I showered and used the sunscreen then makeup. Wow! My tired skin looked great. This stuff made my skin look luminous (and believe me, I was not feeling luminous). My guy even commented on how good I looked. This was BEFORE my coffee.

Needless to say, upon returning home I immediately went online and purchased the set. I use them faithfully. I do criss-cross with other products (I am a product junkie, after all), but almost none of them give me the even-toned luminosity of these products. Plus the major sunscreen quality which I need living in the sunny desert. I’m sold. Good stuff!

Quickie: Non-Surgical Eye Lift Tip

Need a quick tip to make your eyes appear uplifted?

Use a concealer at the outer corner of your eyes. We know we need it in the inside corners to cover that dark, hollow look we all get. However, using the concealer just under your outer lower lashes and extended upward and out slightly beyond your eye line. Be sure to blend well. Use a lighter color than you use on the rest of your face (gives a nice bright glow).

This tip works best if you use a makeup brush. Draw a line of concealer under your outer (only) lower lashes and out beyond your eye line. Use a sponge to blend. Dab a little light powder on it for staying power (Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder works well).

And, as always, curl your lashes before applying mascara. This really does help make your eyes appear wide open. I use a drugstore-brand curler (Revlon) and warm it a bit with my blow dryer before using. This tip will make your outer eye look lifted, give you a rested and awake look. It works!

Review: Accent for Cellulite

Accent for Cellulite

Alright, is there anything (short of curing major diseases) that would earn someone billions if it could really work to rid us of this stuff? I’ve tried it all, and I do mean it ALL, when it comes to ridding my poor thighs of this scourge. Honestly, all the workouts, weights, creams, pills, massage, Endermologie (works a little–very temporary), mesotherapy (ouch! I hate needles, so this wasn’t a big seller for me) in the world hasn’t worked. Believe me, I’ve tried.

When I saw an ad in my local paper for a new treatment, Accent, accompanied with some pretty awesome before and afters pics, I tore it out and made the call. If it worked as well as what the pictures showed, count me in. I made an appointment with the Skinovative clinic that ran the ad. It’s in the mall, so I had some trepidation…after all, skin treatments in the mall? At least it didn’t involve needles or invasive treatments, so what could be the harm. I bravely waited for my appointment.

In the meantime, I did some internet research. There was some info, not a lot, as this treatment is new and has just recently received the coveted FDA approval. Generally all the women who reported had had a couple of treatments and started seeing results. Regardless of the limited information I could find on actual customers who had success with it, I’m still going to try it and see for myself. Accent is billed as “volumetric RF thermotherapy.” Whatever that is. To learn more about how it works, Google “Accent cellulite.”

After a bit of a rough start with Skinovative (they screwed up my appt. and lost it plus when I finally did get in they made me pay upfront–UPFRONT??– for the treatment. Seems some mallrats get treatments and then quickly scoot or conveniently “forget their wallets” aka the Botox Bandit, so I frowned but ponied up. However, on my second visit, things were running more smoothly and I was allowed to pay after the treatment.) This was my first visit with them and they work on a “membership” basis. You pay $150 to join and then receive 15% off all treatments. Whatever. If this stuff works, it’s a small price to pay.

So here is the lowdown on my (albeit limited) experience with Accent:

It’s performed by a doctor (at least at the Skinovative I visited it is). It’s a relatively quick procedure. I’m in and out in under 45 minutes. A body oil is applied to the area treated, in my case the front of my thighs, and then the radiofrequency probes are rubbed quickly across the area. When I say quickly, I mean very quickly. It doesn’t rest in any one place because the probe heats up to almost intolerable levels of heat. To begin, it feels like a warm, pleasant massage. Then it starts to feel like a bit of a hot stone massage–points of heat but not intolerable. As the probe heats up, which it needs to do to actually work, there are moments of discomfort. You can stop the procedure for a momentary break and then begin again. As I said, the probe is moved very quickly so the heat does not rest in one spot (unlike Thermage, in which the probe rests in one spot, heats up and then cools quickly). (For more info on how Accent works, just Google “Accent cellulite.”)

If you have a very low tolerance for pain, think about this procedure before commiting. It can be painful. If you have a medium or high tolerance, you should do well. I took 2 Advil before my second procedure and it seemed to help. I had a couple moments of pain, but they subsided quickly. If you’ve had Thermage, it is similar. This treatment can be done on various parts of the body and some will inevitably be more sensitive than others.

The bottom line: After my first treatment, my legs felt like I had a bit of a bad sunburn in some spots and they were a bit red, but it faded after a couple hours. By the next morning, they were fine, like nothing happened. However, I did not notice much of a change. I’d been told that usually good results were seen after 3 or 4 treatments, so I decided to go again. After my second treatment, I saw measureable results. My thighs are not completely smoothed, but the cellulite has diminished considerably. Super cool. This is enough to show me it’s worth it. I’m going again in three weeks.

Price? After the $150 membership fee, the treatments are $595 each (here in Tucson, AZ; your area may be more or less). You can also buy packages at Skinovative for 6 and save the cost of one whole treatment. I probably should have gone this route, but I wanted to see how it worked and how I tolerated it before paying for a whole package. If it continues to show good results, I’m gonna do my butt, back of thighs, stomach…budget willing. They are pricey treatments, but after years of dealing with the stuff that DOESN’T work, I’m not complaining (too much, anyway) if I find something that does.

In all, it wasn’t bad and I’m going back for a third treatment in three weeks. Supposedly results are permanent as long as you don’t gain tons of weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Stay tuned…

Review: Leg Master: Thigh Maker or Wallet Breaker?

OK, have you seen this infomercial and been so jazzed by the thought of tight, toned legs in just 13 minutes a day that you’ve reached for a credit card (any card) and grabbed the phone? Yeah, me too! Well, I went with an online purchase, but same difference.

I FINALLY got the thing (I waited a few weeks and was almost going to cancel my order when it magically showed up on my doorstep). After getting my guy to assemble it and hoist it up the stairs to my mini-gym, I was anxious to give it a try.

Here’s the deal…
This thing will rock your thighs into submission. I am pretty fit, but I could barely knock out 13 minutes on this thing the first time around. I was holding the hand-rail for dear life while my thighs quivered and begged for mercy. In a word, it was tough. But tough is good, right? It means it’s working.

It’s been about a month of using this about 2-3 times per week and I do feel some firmness and tone in my inner/outer thighs. Is this due to the Legmaster or the Accent treatments or just my increased treadmill runs? I don’t know, but I do feel a real firmness in my inner thighs that I haven’t had in awhile (those of you who live the jiggly-thigh-life know how hard it is to get those inner thighs toned!)

The caveat (there is always a caveat, isn’t there?) The exercises themselves are pretty dull. After a few minutes on this (even with variations) you’ll be bored. They include a workout, which is pretty decent (only 13 minutes) and challenging. It does, however, require you to get off the Legmaster a few times to do lunges, squats, even ab work and push ups. Of course, if you were doing these all along, would you really need the Legmaster?

At first I was a little disappointed to get a workout with a leg machine that required the old-fashioned lunges and squats in addition to using the machine, but I persisted and I’m happy I did. I really do feel the Legmaster helps, but you could probably get just as good results if you’re very commited to lunges and squats on your own. I’m not.

A last note, the workout dvd mistress is very toned and has a body to aspire to, but the “Fabulous!” that she calls out nearly every other second is a bit much. It’s a bit fake and when you’re legs are shaking and sweat is pouring, you feel anything but.

UPDATE: Several months later: I ditched the cd workout included with the machine and now hop on it during my workouts. I am SO much stronger now that I can literally do it without holding on (something I thought I'd never do when I first got it). My inner thighs are stronger and more toned but still a far cry from the infomercial promises or photos. All in all, this does work if you work it (and really, what doesn't?)

www.agelessbeautypro.com

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