Women's connective tissue is softer that of men. A further difference: Women's connective tissue fibres run parallel to one another, men have a criss-cross network of connective tissue. Therefore, women's large fat cells expand easily, quickly puffing up to as much as ten times their normal size, and push past the weak connective tissue fibres on their way to the surface, where they lend the skin a dimpled effect. The result is cellulite.

How to keep cellulite in check

• Swimming is an excellent sport. Swimming uses all the body's major muscles, and this form of exercise encourages the burning up of body fat if you swim for at least 30 minutes. The water quickly cools the skin and the body tends to rapidly compensate for the decrease in temperature. This then leads to a further increase in the amount of body fat that is burnt up.
• Full body brush massages, especially on the afore-mentioned problem areas, increase blood circulation and stimulate the metabolism.
• Potato masks are helpful with connective tissue problems. To make a potato mask peel one or two raw potatoes and cut them into thin slices. Distribute the slices over the problem areas and leave them to take effect for 15 minutes. Afterwards, remove the slices and cold shower the treated areas. This further stimulates the metabolism.
• Also pinching or plucking, whereby you lift up a small area of skin between two fingers and then let it fall, stimulates the metabolism and encourages the circulation of blood in the skin layers.
• Regular consumption of the collagen protein gelatine ensures smooth skin and firm connective tissue, and moisturises the skin in an optimum manner. To this end you should take 10g of gelatine a day.