The majority of women are affected by cellulite. That’s a fact — but it doesn’t make it any easier to live with! And age doesn’t help matters: by your sixties, the texture and location of cellulite can shift significantly… But don’t give up just yet! Here are our tips for staying positive and keeping cellulite in check after 60. It’s never too late to take action!
Menopause and cellulite
Oestrogen and cellulite are closely linked. Hormonal fluctuations have a direct impact on cellulite — both in terms of how much you develop and its texture (if already present, it may tend to become fibrous). Menopause marks a decline in oestrogen production, which can lead to:
- Changes to and/or worsening of existing cellulite, which tends to become more deeply embedded
- The appearance of cellulite in new areas, such as the arms, bust and stomach.
To make matters more complex, after 60 the metabolism also changes:
- Loss of muscle mass, in favour of fat mass
- Less muscle means less energy burned by the body, which can lead to gradual weight gain
- Changes in the skin: as the epidermis dries out and thickens, the dermis (the deeper layer of skin) becomes thinner, creating increased porosity — water retention tends to worsen, and the organisation of fat cells shifts, resulting in denser, more stubborn cellulite
What can you do to reduce cellulite after 60?
Not the most uplifting picture, we admit! But your sixties can absolutely go hand in hand with a toned silhouette and glowing skin — if you take the time to look after your body.
1- Keep moving
Exercise is beneficial at any age! It’s essential for:
- Managing your weight
- Staying energised
- Preventing bone loss that can lead to fractures
- Maintaining healthy-looking skin
- Supporting good blood circulation
- Reducing the appearance of cellulite and improving existing cellulite
Focus on low-impact activities (to avoid injuries, which take longer to heal at 60), endurance-based sports (so the body draws on fat reserves) and exercises that engage the whole body. Swimming, Nordic walking, cycling, cross-country skiing, Zumba, aqua aerobics… the options are plentiful! Make the most of having more free time to exercise regularly (three longer sessions per week). Add in regular walks too — running errands, a post-meal stroll, outings with the grandchildren.
2- Rebalance your diet
At 60, nutritional needs change considerably. The body eliminates waste less efficiently, muscles begin to atrophy, and deficiencies can develop… But there’s plenty you can do about it!
- To maintain lean muscle mass and reduce the fat that contributes to cellulite: boost your protein intake by eating lean white meats (poultry), oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) and white fish (pollock, hake, whiting). Don’t forget eggs from time to time. And above all, embrace plant-based proteins (lentils, chickpeas).
- To avoid overloading a metabolism that’s less efficient at elimination: keep your carbohydrate intake in check by moderating slow-release sugars and opting for complex carbohydrates (wholegrain bread).
- To reduce water retention, a key contributor to cellulite: prioritise diuretic fruits and vegetables. Artichoke, asparagus, aubergine, tomato, cucumber and courgette for vegetables. Citrus fruits, melon, watermelon, strawberries and pineapple for fruit.
- Don’t skip dairy — opt for fresh cheeses, plain yoghurt and skimmed milk.
- Avoid anything that burdens the body, triggers inflammation and feeds cellulite: alcohol (high in sugar and stored directly as fat), sweets and sugary snacks, saturated fats, and processed foods (loaded with sugar and salt).
- Stay hydrated with water, herbal teas and lightly brewed tea.
3- Take care of yourself
To complete your anti-cellulite routine, it’s important to care for your skin. After 60, it becomes more fragile — partly due to the loss of collagen and elastin — and cellulite becomes more visible. The key is to keep it properly hydrated and deeply toned. Here’s how:
- Give your skin a real boost with a cold cellulite cream, which helps firm the dermis and stimulates the breakdown of fat cells.
- Massage cellulite-prone areas daily using nourishing plant oils and massage tools: a cupping cup to replicate the pinch-and-roll technique, or a EMS cupping device to enjoy the benefits of electrostimulation from the comfort of home.
- Support sluggish veno-lymphatic circulation with a draining programme (capsules, draining supplement). Because looking after your skin starts from within! Start your journey to smoother skin in just one month.