The ABC of Cellulite 

All you wanted to know and some more…

Its been called a lot of names. The orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin, and the mattress phenomenon! These are all terms used to describe cellulite, the lumpy deposits of dimpled fat that afflict millions of women and some men around the world. Figures indicate (strangely enough) that while it appears in 90% of post-adolescent women, it is rarely seen in men.

So What Is Cellulite? 

Simply said, cellulite is a common term used to describe superficial pockets of trapped fat, which cause uneven dimpling or “orange peel” skin. Common but not exclusive areas where cellulite is found, are the thighs, buttocks, and the abdomen Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not related to obesity, since it occurs in thin, normal and overweight women. 

Going into detail, cellulite is a kind of fat tissue in the subcutaneous layer of the skin that contains constricting bands of connective tissue. This connective tissue, which varies in thickness and is laced with fat cells, is held in place by a network of fibers that protects our body, cushioning our muscles and organs; it is surrounded by a liquid that both nourishes it and provides it with an effective waste system. When all is working well in the system, waste products are removed and smooth curves result. However, when fats, fluids and toxins are trapped deep in the skin (below the epidural layer), the connective tissue thickens and hardens, giving a dimpling effect. As we mature, the layer of skin thins, resulting in the rippled appearance of cellulite.

What is the difference between cellulite and fat? 

Though everyone has a smooth layer of fat, individual amounts largely depend on weight, lifestyle and genetics. This fat layer is an insulator for the body and cushions the organs, muscles and nerves. Cellulite, on the other hand, is lumpy and provides no padding whatsoever. It only occurs in certain areas of the body.

The showing of Cellulite in your body is not necessarily an indication of body weight. You don't have to be heavy to have cellulite. Though diet and lifestyle affect cellulite formation, a large part of cellulite is comprised of toxins and fat that build up in the body. Therefore this can affect women of any size, weight and body structure.

Who Gets It And Why

Primarily women suffer from cellulite. It begins to appear in girls around the age of 14 and increases as we grow older. Cellulite often forms in postnatal women and those who take birth control pills because the waste system can't get rid of the enormous flow of estrogen in the body. It can develop after a traumatic injury if the circulatory system has been disturbed. A sedentary lifestyle leads to a hardening of the connective tissue, causing a dimpling of the skin.

How lucky are men! They rarely develop cellulite because the network of fat cells occurs deep in their skin. If you were to look at a map of the female body from the inside out, you would see that the cells are smooth in shape and nearly reach the surface of the skin, causing a dimpling effect. Men's cells are shaped more sharply and reside deeper in the skin, rarely poking through to cause the ripples we associate with cellulite. 

 

Factors that contribute to developing cellulite include:  Your genes – in short it is heredity. The good news is that you can do a lot to fight cellulite (scroll down for further information)  Insufficient water intake – I have lost count of the number of afflictions, which can be avoided just by drinking sufficient water. In this case, water helps the waste system operate, flushing toxins from your body. Drink seven glasses of water a day. Minimum! Diet - Poor eating habits (alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods) contribute to the formation of cellulite because the toxins they produce get trapped in the fatty tissue. And despite what you've heard, crash diets don't work to fight cellulite. In fact, crash diets increase the risk of cellulite because the body thinks it's starving and by attempting to compensate, it assists in cellulite formation. All saturated fats help build cellulite. These fats block the arteries and get trapped in the tissue as well, preventing sufficient waste and toxin elimination.  Smoking – We all know the cons of this habit. It is not only bad for the skin and lungs, it also weakens the skin and damages the connective tissue that leads to the dimpling effect of cellulite.  Tension - Stress can cause a muscle to seize up in pain, they can also cause the connective tissue that covers that muscle to seize up. Tension also blocks the tissue, preventing proper waste elimination and purification.  Medication - Diet pills, sleeping pills and diuretics can all lead to cellulite. Oral contraceptives, which increase the body's estrogen and cause fat cells to enlarge, will lead to water retention. Retaining water inhibits the body from flushing the system of toxins, leading to the inevitable.  Sedentary lifestyle - Lack of exercise is another contributing factor. Exercising can improve muscle tone, circulation and overall well-being, helping to break blocked tissue and purify the body.

Cellulite reduction - Fighting the inevitable?

The bad news? When it comes to cellulite, don't expect any miracles. The good news however is that while there's no magic cure to get rid of cellulite, you can reduce its appearance. By combining good eating and exercise habits with stress reduction and occasional spa treatments, smoother body skin can result. An increase in circulation through massage is definitely an advantage. Endermologie is another option that exfoliates the skin, leaving it soft and silky. The increased circulation also gives you a natural energy boost. 

Treatment

Endermologie

This is a sub dermal treatment for reducing cellulite, pioneered over a decade ago. Endermologie is a patented technique involving a mechanized device with two motorized rollers and regulated suction. This non-surgical and non-invasive device creates a symmetrical skin fold, which allows for deep tissue mobilization to occur and results in reduction of cellulite and loss of inches.

Endermologie was the first medical treatment to be FDA approved for cellulite reduction and loss of body circumference. Its safety and efficacy have been the subject of several clinical trials and on going research is promising.

Cellulite creams and gel 

Creams and gels form the bulk of the ammunition in the war against cellulite. Active ingredients include Xanthines, Retinoids, Alpha Hydroxy Acids.

Body wraps 

Body wrapping involves a process of enveloping parts of the body with linens permeated with a variety of substances such as herbal extracts, algae, seaweed, and mud. The skin is brushed or massaged evenly with any one of these products and then covered in linens. The body shaping effect is the result of the combined action of perspiration and compression, which leads to a reduction of body dimensions. This effect is mainly due to the loss of fluids and is only temporary 

Massages

Massage increases circulation and lymphatic drainage, reduces muscular spasms and breaks down adhesions. However, Lymphatic drainage is a specific massage, which removes accumulated fluid but has little effect on cellulite. In theory, manual skin kneading combined with lymphatic drainage may result in smoothing of soft tissues and elimination of excess fluid. The main problems with manual massage are the different techniques and levels of pressure employed by therapists, which are virtually impossible to standardize. Only a mechanized device, such as Endermologie, with regulated parameters could achieve reliable results.

Herbal supplements

Herbal preparations were introduced in 1990’s as over-the-counter products for the treatment of cellulite. The ingredients in these products are believed to exert a variety of effects, such as improve local circulation, reduce fluid build up, stimulate fat metabolism, reduce localized fat, and protect tissues. These products are not subject to FDA review, and their ingredients and effects have not yet been scientifically settled 

Electrotherapy

Electrical muscle stimulators (EMS) are prescription devices used in physical therapy for treating specific neuromuscular problems. Iontophoresis is also a prescription device that combines a direct current with ions of soluble salt, penetrating tissues to exert a therapeutic effect. Health spas have been using EMS devices for girth reduction, weight loss, cellulite reduction, and non-surgical face-lifts. 

Exercise and diet

Last but not the least. The easiest or maybe the most difficult treatment. Even though cellulite is not weight specific, it is common knowledge that weight gain can worsen its appearance. An increase in volume within the fat layers, resulting from the accumulation of fat, can magnify the appearance of existing dimples. 
By adhering to a healthy lifestyle, defined by optimal nutrition and regular exercise, the percentage of overall body fat can be lowered. It enables the reserve fat stores to be metabolized for energy and their volumes reduced. Although cellulite cannot be eliminated or effectively reduced by diet and exercise, it can be rendered more responsive to other recognized methods of cellulite reduction. 

Is Surgery an option?

Liposuction has proven effective in taking off inches, but it does not counter cellulite. Liposuction removes collections of fatty tissue from the legs, buttocks, abdomen, back, arms, face and neck areas. It uses a "vacuuming" technique to remove fatty tissue, leaving minimal scarring. Because liposuction does not change the structure of the skin, it can't eliminate cellulite forever. Liposuction is a costly surgical procedure that can hinder the body's natural circulation and waste-elimination processes while the body heals.

The Bottom Line

The key to preventing and fighting cellulite is to purify the body with a combination of exercise, a healthy diet, tension reduction.

So get ready to dig out those skimpy outfits from the far reaches of your wardrobe and gleam some skin display! If it hasn’t worked for you remember, you are not alone, there is safety in numbers.