Crossing your legs is giving you cellulite – and wearing skinny jeans makes it worse, expert warns
Up to 90 per cent of women have cellulite but you do have the power to make it more or less pronounced
CELLULITE is the bane of up to 90 per cent of women's lives.
Once you've got it, there's really not that much you can do about it and it doesn't discriminate - fat or thin, you're likely to develop the orange peel.
But certain every day things can make it worse.
An expert has warned that crossing your legs and wearing skinny jeans are two massive factors in the development of dented skin.
Clelia Monteux, Scientific Attache for LPG Endermologie - a non-invasive French treatment that recently arrived in the UK - told the that crossing your legs is a common factor in increasing the appearance of cellulite.
"Most types of cellulite are linked to water retention in the body.
"But sitting with legs crossed is also to blame because it restricts the blood and lymphatic circulation around the legs."
Throw skinny jeans into the mix and you're going to make matters worse.
"These types of clothing can reduce circulation in the legs, which can consequently lead to an increased risk of cellulite," Clelia explained.
"Crossing your legs, or sitting with your legs crossed, can encourage the onset of aqueous cellulite.
"This means the appearance of cellulite will look much more prominent on the skin, spread it across the surface and also cause further problems later in life."
Crossing your legs and wearing skin-tight apparel means that you're putting a higher amount of pressure on your legs and that then causes poor blood and lymphatic circulation.
Why does circulation matter?
If you have poor circulation, that means that your blood flow is compromised.
Blood isn't getting where it needs to be, which also means that nutrients and oxygen aren't reaching parts of the body.
While cellulite is hardly a serious condition, poor blood circulation still shouldn't be ignored.
If you're restricting free movement, that's going to increase the amount of water retention in your body - and that means you can't get rid of toxins from your body.
Cellulite happens because as that water retention increases, your skin tissue swells and bubbles like orange peel under the surface of the skin.
So, what can you do about it?
The obvious place to start is by wearing looser clothing and sitting with your feet firmly planted on the floor.
Next, try to stay well hydrated - drinking at least two litres of water every day and reducing the amount of salt.
Being active is also really important if you want to stave off developing any more cellulite.
It won't "cure" the cellulite but it may help to keep inflammation down while promoting better circulation.
MORE ON WEIGHT LOSS
While various procedures and products might help to lessen the appearance of dimples, if it’s in your genes, your body is just going to make more dimples.
But things like stress and inflammation are often blamed for making things worse.
Earlier this year, we revealed the five lifestyle tips that can help to keep cellulite at bay.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours