Valentines Day - Chocolate - Ooey, Gooey, Good

Valentine's Day is around the corner offering us all a perfect excuse to immerse ourselves in chocolate. Literally. Eat it, smell it, bathe in it. Ooey, gooey, chocolate. A decadent menu of luxurious chocolate skin care treatments are popping up in spas across the nation. Beauty experts claim the fatty cocoa butter hydrates and softens the skin, the cocoa bean husk acts as a gentle exfoliant to break down harmful free radicals, and the caffeine stimulates the circulatory system and firms the skin. Oh, and get this, . . . there is an anti-cellulite treatment using chocolate. Just sounds wrong, doesn't it?

Spas offer whipped cocoa baths (mmm), chocolate facials, body scrubs, massages, and pedicures. During your spa visit, chocolate treats are served alongside the treatments. Go ahead, indulge. Here are a few facts to ease your conscience. High quality chocolate has twice as many anti-oxidants as green tea and has more flavonoids (anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant) than any other anti-oxidant rich food, including wine or blueberries. Wow, who knew? And, (brace yourself), Vitamin A, B1, C, D, & E, Iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Phew! I mean, really, who cares whether it is one of the best kept beauty secrets around or not? Soon it will be Valentine's Day and complete euphoria is just a bonbon away. Now you can truly have your cake . . . and eat it too.

Babor Body Line Thermal Refining Cellulite Treatment

This light, fresh, cool emulsion (somewhere between a gel and a cream) provides some key actives in the battle against cellulite while facilitating their quick absorption into the skin. Caffeine is one of the key ingredients in this product, which triggers the elimination of fats and the break down of triglycerides in the fat cells to fatty acids so they can be can be discarded.

The plant extract, Centella Asiatica, helps to restructure dermal fibers that have constricted causing the tension and dimples in the skin. The constriction also causes a disruption in the circulation, the fat cells to cluster, fluid retention, and poor elimination. The ingredient Horse Chestnut is a great decongestant that promotes blood vessel health and the elimination of wastes, along with camphor to boost circulation. The algae used to promote the detoxification process also provides essential minerals to improve the health and functioning of the fat cells and the supporting structures. Peptides are incorporated to ensure cellular communication, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and even a little lactic acid (an AHA) to ensure the surface of the skin is exfoliating properly and has an even texture. This is definitely a product that will give you great results if used properly. Use it at least once a day for 6 to 8 weeks, and as with most things in life . . . patience is a virtue. It will be worth it.

Babor Body Line Thermal Refining Cellulite Treatment

This light, fresh, cool emulsion (between a gel and a cream) provides some key actives in the battle against cellulite and facilitates their quick absorption into the skin. Caffeine is one of the key ingredients in this product. It is specifically directed to trigger the elimination of fats and the break down of triglycerides in the fat cells to fatty acids so they can be can be discarded.

The plant extract, Centella Asiatica, helps to restructure the dermal fibers that have constricted causing the tension and dimples in the skin. The constriction of these fibers also causes a disruption in the circulation, the fat cells to cluster, fluid retention, and poor elimination. The Horse Chestnut is a great decongestant that promotes the health of the blood vessels and elimination of wastes, along with camphor to boost circulation. The algae used to promote detoxification and provide essential minerals will improve the health and functioning of the fat cells and the supporting structures. There are also peptides to ensure cellular communication, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and even a little lactic acid (an AHA) to ensure the surface of the skin is exfoliating properly and has an even texture.

This is definitely a product that will give you great results if you use it properly and are a little patient. Use it at least once a day for 6 to 8 weeks, then you will be convinced. Oh . . . and maybe ease up on the pizza and go for water instead of that carbonated drink.

The Scoop on Cellulite Treatments

Cellulite spa treatments are very effective, but are not a 'one visit' cure. Exfoliation and algae wraps, or treatments using light therapy, infrared, micro currents, and/or kneading the tissues will be offered as a series of treatments given one to three times a week for a few weeks. These treatments offer incredible results but are somewhat of a financial investment, so be sure to change your diet and commit to a little cardio exercise during the treatments . . . you will get far better results in less time.

Many home care products deserve serious consideration, whether they are used to compliment and enhance a spa treatment, or used on their own. The ingredients found in these products are focused on stimulating the elimination of fats as well as slowing down the formation of fat. They also address drainage to promote elimination of wastes and excess fluids. Many cellulite products will create a heat sensation and may turn the skin quite pink, usually as a result of some form of niacin. Caffeine is another common ingredient in formulations because it penetrates well and stimulates the elimination of excess fats. Most products will recommend application twice a day following some type of stimulation like dry brushing, exfoliation, or even a brisk drying with your towel after a shower, as this stimulates the circulation and will lead to better utilization of the ingredients and better results.

Up Next . . . Cellulite Product Reviews and Recommendations.