French women are known for having a healthy attitude to beauty. They like informed, results-driven protocols often passed down from grandmothers and mothers. They are masters of insouciant glamour – the blow-dry which is “un peu” messy but has the perfect amount of root lift. And their hair is never over-bleached.
In France, dealing with la cellulite is a serious business. They have institutes dedicated to draining massage techniques and supermarket aisles (not just shelves) reserved for le drainage. Dr Marine Vincent, the founder of The French Pharmacy in Marylebone, says: “We start young when it comes to cellulite, and try to be proactive about preventing it in the first place. We are also realistic and know that it’s impossible to get rid of cellulite forever, but we know what’s needed to improve things and make a difference to the ‘peau d’orange’.”
“Cellulite,” explains Dr Vincent, “is caused by fatty protrusions into the dermis layer of the skin. So eating well, drinking enough water and regular exercise are the best things you can do to help combat the problem in the first place and make your thighs look better. But it’s also genetic and is affected by hormones. From a young age, French women visit a dermatologist once a year and discussing ways to help cellulite is very much on the agenda. Women will also speak to their pharmacist for advice about it too.”
Below, we have listed the seven rules of dealing with cellulite, the French way.
The Treatment
LPG Endermologie was established by French doctors in the 1980s to provide treatment for burns victims. It is a type of lymphatic drainage massage performed by a therapist with a hand held massage device hooked up to a machine. One of the side effects was an improvement in the appearance of cellulite, hence it became one of the most popular treatments for French women to book, often weekly. “I’ve seen my mum all my life booking in for regular Endermologie,” says Dr Vincent. “It’s not magic, it’s science. And even in tiny villages all over France, you’ll find a therapist performing it.”
Endermologie works by breaking down fat cells and draining water retention by enhancing the lymphatic system. Interestingly, the latest clinical trials show that it has a raft of other wellbeing benefits such as lowering the stress hormone cortisol by 44 per cent and improving sleep quality. The French Government pays for breast cancer survivors to have it to combat water retention.
I recently tried it and was shocked to see my thighs and tummy look slimmer after just one session. I also loved how relaxing it felt. It’s rare to find an aesthetic treatment with wellbeing benefits. It’s recommended you have a series of at least three to six sessions to see results. Treatments cost from approximately £100 per session, Endermologie.com.
Brushing
Kate Shapland, the founder of Legology skincare which focuses purely on improving the look of our legs and derrieres, says that when she was creating the brand, finding a French chemist was integral to her because “the French beauty repertoire was part of my inspiration in the first place.” The results-driven formulas (I love the Exfo-Lite exfoliating sachets £9.50 and Air-Lite Daily Lift for Legs cream, from £25) are complemented by a beautiful fragrance created by the French fragrance house Robertet which make them a pleasure to use.
Integral to the range is the Legology body brush since “daily body brushing on dry or wet skin will stimulate a sluggish lymph system and encourage the removal of excess fluid and help decrease the appearance of cellulite. Brushing also brings nutrient rich blood up to the surface of the skin where it floods the tissues and plumps them out making the skin look pink and ultimately more toned,” Shapland explains, adding: “Consistency is key and it has to be done daily for real changes to be seen.”
Legology products: Air-Lite Daily Lift for Legs cream, from £25; Lymph-lite body brush, £16; Exfo-Lite exfoliating sachets £9.50
The caffeine cream
“You can’t expect a cream to magically get rid of cellulite without correct diet and exercise,” says Dr Vincent, “but studies have shown that products containing caffeine can help activate the metabolism and drain puffiness, which means these can help with the look of cellulite. In France, the one we use a lot is Percutafeine Slimming Local Treatment gel, which contains 5 per cent caffeine.”
Percutafeine Slimming Local Treatment gel, £19.90, The French Pharmacy
Regular massage
“A good therapist can get rid of at least an inch off a muffin top and can similarly slim down the thighs after one session by draining excess fluid,” says Shapland who takes therapists to Los Angeles, pre-Oscars, to perform her signature Legology leg toning massages. Rie Burdock, a lymphatic drainage specialist at London’s Gielly Green salon adds: “Once cellulite has formed, it is difficult to get rid of it with lymphatic drainage massage alone, but it will hugely help the appearance. But remember – it’s temporary, so it’s important to have regular treatments to keep results going over a summer.”
The Tea
“Ideally we should be drinking at least 1.5 litres of water every day to encourage lymphatic drainage, so any way of upping our water intake is a bonus,” says Dr Vincent. “In The French Pharmacy, we sell a lot of Caudalie Draining Organic Tea, which contains red grape vine leaf to activate circulation. Like I said before, everything must be done together for results. Drinking tea will not get rid of cellulite but it can contribute to less puffy thighs and ankles which can only be a good thing.” It also tastes delicious.
Caudalie Draining Organic Tea, £12, The French Pharmacy
Exercise
The aesthetic practitioner Dr Wassim Taktouk explains, “Exercise can make cellulite less noticeable. Fat contributes to the cause of cellulite, therefore increasing muscle tone and exercising can minimise the problem and improve the overall appearance of orange peel skin. However, the idea that only cardio or running can reduce cellulite is false.
“To really improve cellulite a combined approach of weight loss and strength training is best. As muscle lies below the pockets of fat that protrude against the skin, increasing muscle tone will smooth the appearance of the overlying skin.”
Dr Vincent adds, “It’s hard to fit in exercise for some people, but of course we have to accept that we look better when we do. French women walk a lot; we try to fit it into our daily life but also adding some weight training is important too.”
The cheat
When all fails, everything looks better with a tan – from a bottle, not a real one. By Terry’s Tea to Tan Face and Body Spray, £22, has been around for 10 years and is in lots of French women’s bathrooms because it’s an instant spritz to flatter less-than-perfect arms and legs. It dries super quickly and is easy for those who can’t be bothered to apply and wait for fake tan to develop. Brilliantly, it doesn’t transfer on to pale white linen clothes, either.
By Terry’s Tea to Tan Face and Body Spray, £22, By Terry
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