After eight weeks, my friend raved about her results. She said her cellulite was gone, and since then I haven’t heard her complain about orange-peel skin.
Sick of seeing my own cottage cheese in the mirror, of course I had to try Dr. Murad’s program.
Since my busy schedule doesn’t allow me to visit the Murad Medi-Spa weekly, I was relieved to learn that all the products are available to take home. I also learned that the regimen works on stretch marks, which proves that miracles can happen for mommies who’ve been stretched every which way.
In the shower, the Activating Body Scrub (P2,200) is fun to use. It’s thicker and waxier than other scrubs I’ve tried, so I rub it in between my hands to warm and melt it before massaging it into my torso. It has sugar and jojoba beads to exfoliate dull skin, and cayenne pepper and carnitine to stimulate circulation. Most scrubs with sugar crystals tend to scratch skin, but not this one, with its gentle, round beads. Other scrubs with pepper create a burning sensation, which you don’t get here either. Instead, tiger’s herb and horse chestnut tree extract help restore firmness and elasticity.
After drying off, I apply the Firm and Tone Serum (P2,950 for 6.7 fl. oz.), which should be used twice a day. I like the way this serum absorbs instantly and dries quickly so I can dress right away. It has cat’s claw extract from the Amazon, an anti-inflammatory ingredient that reduces the cellulite structure; horse chestnut tree extract to repair free-radical damage and stimulate blood flow to smooth out those dimples; and cayenne pepper to stimulate the blood vessels, increase circulation and blast those bumps.
With my outer skin taken care of, I address the internal issues with Murad’s Firm and Tone Dietary Supplement Pack, which is good for four weeks (P6,950). Each packet is clearly labeled, with seven capsules I take for "Day" and and another six I gulp for "Night." If you’re not a pill-popper this is a lot to swallow, but the tablet names speak for themselves. The multivitamin and antioxidant tablets promote healthy skin function and microcirculation, improving your skin’s smoothness and appearance. The essential fatty acid capsules help hydrate the skin with water-attracting ingredients. The Cell Energizer pill helps prevent skin cell damage while promoting cellular energy production. Lastly, the Connective Tissue tablets strengthen blood vessels, promote collagen and elastin production and improve skin elasticity and firmness.
It’s all in the service of Murad’s "Water Principle." He believes that by simply hydrating the skin and fortifying cells so that they hold on to hydration, the skin can be rebuilt and, like a reinforced fence, force stubborn fat cells back invisibly below the surface and keep them there.
After just one week, my energy level has increased and my skin is no longer dry and dull-looking. The hardest thing about this lifestyle change is sticking to an exercise routine, but Murad says it’s a myth that cellulite is controlled by weight loss and exercise anyway.
"Cellulite is found in the fat layer of the skin, not the fat of the body," he says. "The fat found in the skin cannot be metabolized and used as fuel. If we are to repair cellulite and stretch marks, we need to focus on repairing the dermis, not on burning fat."
I’m impressed with the signs of progress I’ve seen, and am confident that, like my friend, I’ll be able to take my pre-mommy body back in eight weeks.