HORRIFIED by your rear view in the changing rooms? Our brave testers tried out new 30-minute treatments to blitz those lumps – and bared all to prove it makes a difference...
Cycle off the cellulite
Hypoxi L250 Tested by Caroline, 35
How does it work? By sending blood flow directly to the bum and thighs to break down lumpy fat. Many cellulite sufferers have poor circulation in their backside region and, as a result, it’s the last area to shape up when you exercise. Hypoxi overcomes this by creating a vacuum around the lower half of your body, literally sucking your blood into those hard, fatty areas. As the blood pumps through, it supplies fresh nutrients and takes away old toxins so they can be drained away by the lymphatic system.
What do you have to do? Sit in an airtight pod which contains an exercise bike. As you pedal away, a heart rate monitor checks you are exercising in the fat-burning zone, while a vacuum alternately sucks and releases your skin. Cheryl Cole and Louise Redknapp are among its celeb fans.
Tester’s report: ‘The exercise bike is my most loathed piece of gym equipment so when I realised I’d signed up for four weeks of cycling, my heart sank. However, it wasn’t anything like as bad as I’d anticipated. Lucy, my fantastic instructor, explained that I mustn’t go for the burn, but just cycle at a fairly easy pace otherwise my heart rate would go too high and I’d be burning stored carbs rather than body fat. An order to slack off – hoorah! For four hours after each session I was only allowed to have protein and salad, but otherwise I was just meant to eat healthily and try to cut down on booze. After 12 sessions my cellulite is definitely smoother and better still, my bum looks “lifted” and my thighs are firmer. When I wore a short skirt at a party, my mate asked what I’d be doing as I looked really toned. Great!’
Info: 12 sessions from £450. Call 0800 7311323 or see www.hypoxitraining.com
Give flab a jab
Eporex Mesotherapy Tested by Jen, 34
What is it? A new, non-invasive form of mesotherapy, a treatment which ‘injects’ anti-cellulite ingredients into the skin. Instead of using a needle as traditional mesotherapy does, Eporex uses electronic impulses to push the vitamins, minerals and amino acids deep into the skin. The pulses, delivered via a hand-held device, enable the ingredients to get through the skin barrier via tiny channels called aquaporins. Once under your skin, they stimulate the breakdown of stubborn fat cells. The company say it’s already secretly used by a number of celebs and supermodels.
What do you have to do? Lie on your front and relax while a therapist applies the anti-cellulite fluid on your flabby bits then rubs the hand-held gizmo across your bum and thighs.
Tester’s report: ‘I was a bit scared I was about to be electrocuted when the therapist put a wet flannel under my thigh to “complete the circuit”, but she assured me I was perfectly safe. The treatment is meant to be painless, and for the most part I only felt a slight tingling – but on the sides of my thighs, just where my cellulite is worse, the sensation was sharper. When the machine was turned up high it also made my muscles jerk a little, but all in all it was a relaxing experience. To get the best results I was advised to cut down on sugar, refined carbs, processed food, coffee etc and told to have lots of fruit and veg and drink lots of water – you can’t expect to eat rubbish and still get rid of all your lumps. I was also asked to dry body brush my dimply areas daily, but I have to admit I often forgot. Despite that, I started to see a real difference after four sessions. My cellulite hasn’t miraculously gone, but my skin feels much smoother, and the flesh deeper down definitely feels less lumpy. Even my boyfriend said it was better. I would definitely go back for another course.’
Info: A course of seven treatments at around £500 is recommended.
See www.eporex.co.uk or call 020 7226 6560.
Rub out the lumps
Lipomassage by Endermologie Tested by Annie, 37
What is it? A new express version of endermologie, the first treatment allowed to say it shifts cellulite by the notoriously stringent FDA. The secret is IMR, or ‘independent motorised rollers’, which rotate over lumpy areas in different directions. Problem areas are given an intensive massage to break down fat and help the body get rid of it fast.
What do you have to? Don an all-over body stocking then lie back and submit your skin to the hand-held rollers which a therapist works over your cellulite. You’re occasionally required to lift or flex your leg to help the rollers do their job.
Tester’s report: ‘The body stocking isn’t very glamorous, but it’s thick enough to spare your modesty. The rollers feel like a really deep tissue massage, which I wouldn’t describe as relaxing, but it’s totally bearable. To begin with, my fatty areas felt a bit tender as the rollers went over them, but after a couple of sessions that feeling went away. I must admit that I’ve let the weight creep on lately and I was hoping that this treatment would give me a smoother, firmer bottom in time for my holidays. Straightaway I could tell it was doing something because after each treatment I felt really thirsty and was easily glugging my way through 2.5 litres of water a day. I’ve had eight treatments and I can honestly say it’s made a difference because my trousers feel much looser around the bum and thighs. The quality of my skin has improved and I think my bum looks more lifted too. I wouldn’t say my cellulite has completely gone but I’m very pleased with the improvement.’
Info: From £40 a treatment, 6-8 sessions recommended. For salons nationwide call 020 8731 5678.
Wave dimples goodbye
Genie Bikini Tested by Penelope, 41
What is it? A non-invasive treatment that uses something called the ‘Baxendale Wave’ to reshape the body. The treatment begins with a dry body brushing to boost circulation to trouble spots and start shifting toxins. Then electrodes are strapped to bum and thighs to deliver an electric wave that breaks up cellulite, lifts sagging muscles and stimulates toxin drainage. For the final part of the treatment, the machine zaps cellulite with a current that boosts collagen formation for firmer, smoother skin. Genie’s makers say the current is much stronger than that used in rival treatments so it gets results much faster.
What do you have to do? Take off your trousers and get ready to twitch as the current works your butt.
Tester’s report: ‘I used to exercise a lot but lately I’ve been too busy with work to get down the gym – and it shows. When I read about the treatment I wasn’t convinced it could work, but with cellulite like mine I was prepared to give anything a go. I had to lie on my front while pads were attached to my thighs and bum, then just lie there and get zapped. When the current was first switched on I felt a prickly sensation, but otherwise it was quite comfortable and the sessions passed very quickly. There was no sweating, no need for sports gear so unlike the gym it was easy to fit into my working day. The day after the treatment, the areas that had been treated ached slightly (in a good way), and after the third session I noticed that my legs and bum felt firmer. Having completed the course my cellulite has smoothed out a lot and it has given me the kick up the backside I needed to start jogging and following a healthy diet again.’
Info: A course of 10 treatments (£450) recommended. Call 08709 201177 or see www.genie-tech.co.uk
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