The Truth About Cellulite & How to Treat It
Johnny Lavot
Have you been cursed with those lumpy, cottage cheese like areas of fat on your thighs, hips, buttocks, and other parts of your body? There's a good chance; 85% of women are already afflicted with these same cellulite woes. The term "cellulite" is not a common term around the medical community - it was actually first created in European spas. Then, in the early 1970's a man by the name of Nicole Ronsard published the book Cellulite: Those Lumps, Bumps, and Bulges You Couldn't Lose Before. The term "cellulite" then spread throughout America.
If you're like most women, you are probably wondering what causes cellulite and how you can get rid of it. Well, there are several factors that contribute to the cause of cellulite. Some of these factors are age, genetics, your body fat percentage, your level of hydration, and possibly whether or not you smoke or ingest caffeine.
One of the most prominent and widely accepted causes of cellulite has to due with how the skin is constructed and how the fat around it is situated. In the skin, there are tough strands of fibrous tissue that connect the skin to the rest of the body called the "septa". The septa anchors at certain points - similar to a net. This net of fibrous - the septa - tissue exists above the layer of fat in your body. However, sometimes fat makes its way through the holes in this net of fibrous tissue and therefore plumps the fat outward. This plumping of fat causes the "cottage cheese" resemblance of cellulite. Many times, even if a woman has a very low body fat percentage, if the skin around that area is pinched, then some cellulite can still remain visible; however, most women probably only care about cellulite when it is only visible without pinching.
Other reasons/theories exist as to the cause of cellulite, but the actual cause is probably a combination of more than one thing. Carole Walderman, aesthetician and president of Von Lee International School of Aesthetics, in Baltimore, states, "Cellulite is a combination of fat globules, waste matter, and water imprisoned in connective tissue." Another theory is that the makeup of the strands of fibrous tissue in men and women are different - for instance, a man's net of fibrous tissue forms a net that is perpendicular, where as a woman's net of fibrous tissue is formed by X's. Also, the fibrous tissue may be tighter in women, which would cause a much more pronounced plumping effect in women in comparison to men.
Treatments for Cellulite
Just Lose the Fat
Since an excessive body fat percentage is probably the most prominent reason for the cause of cellulite, the best, most permanent, and most effective course of action is to simply lose fat. Obviously, there are many options in this area due to the fact that there are hundreds of diet programs, pills, supplements, etc. A very effective program can be found by clicking this link about
Water
This is a simple treatment. Drink more water. Carole Walderman, mentioned above in this article, states, "I have found that a lot of people who have cellulite don't drink enough water." Even if water doesn't reduce your appearance of cellulite, it does too many other important things to be passed up anyway.
Topical Treatments
In the world of health and fitness, there are many marketers trying to take advantage of consumers who are ready to spend anything to treat their problems. Many times, products like these will make vague claims like "improve circulation", "reduce the appear of cellulite", or "stimulate the release of fat". These claims sound scientific to the unknowledgeable consumer; I mean, what is bad about improving circulation? 90% of the time these marketers will exaggerate claims from poorly designed studies, claim that a certain ingredient does something special, but rarely to what degree they accomplish it. Another common generalization of these products is to "stimulate the release of fat". There may be one or two studies that verify this, but even if these products accomplish this, the effect of them is extremely minimal compared to what intelligent dieting and exercise can do.
Then again, there is a possibility that some of the ingredients in topical creams may benefit in reducing cellulite. However, many times there are several ingredients mixed into one cream. This makes it extremely hard to find out which ingredient is actually producing results. If you decide to go this route (please incorporate diet and exercise too), then ask your dermatologist before purchasing anything.
Nicotine and Caffeine
Another theory that holds investigation is the use of caffeine and nicotine. You can help aid in your fight against cellulite by halting the use of these, since they constrict blood vessels. This theory may need more investigation.
All in all, cellulite is a tough foe. There are several treatments for it; many of them are a waste of money or have a very minimal effect. The most effective way to reduce cellulite is to treat it at the root of its cause - where fat makes it way through the net of fibrous tissue that makes up your skin to cause several small pits or domes. The best way to accomplish this is through intelligent dieting and exercise. You can find more information on how to diet and exercise intelligently by clicking this link about weight loss.
About the author: Johnny Lavot is an avid weight-loss and fitness researcher. You can find tons more information on these topics by clicking this link about weight loss.
The latest information and news on Skin Care:
WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Prolastil.comProlastil Skin Cream and Eye Serum Scientific UpdateThe products, marketed under the name , Prolastil E-50 work by increasing the amount ...
Spoiler Alert! Aura Laser Skin Care Teases Top-Secret Product
Pharmaceutical skin-care line will be latest innovation for Seattle, Washington-based Aura Laser Skin Care, no stranger to breaking the dermatological mold.Seattle, WA (PRWEB) January 31, 2012 Pay no attention to that revolutionary product behind the curtain! At least, not for a few more weeks, until Aura Laser Skin Care is ready to debut what?s already being heralded as a major skin-care ...
Aura Laser Skin Care Announces Staff Additions
Busy Seattle, Washington-based Aura Laser Skin Care starts 2012 with biggest hiring spree in clinic?s history, bringing on four new estheticians to meet growing demand.Seattle, Washington (PRWEB) January 29, 2012 Aura Laser Skin Care announced today a major addition to its clinical staff, tripling its number of active medical aestheticians to better serve its rapidly increasing patient base.Katy ...
Health Tip: Wash Skin Properly
(HealthDay News) -- Good skin care can help keep it healthy, moisturized and acne-free.
Aura Laser Skin Care Announces Record-Setting 2011
New products, unique focus helped Seattle, Washington-based Aura Laser Skin Care reach new heights in 2011, setting records for number of patients seen and number of successful treatments.Seattle, Washington (PRWEB) January 30, 2012 Aura Laser Skin Care announced today that 2011 went down as the biggest year in the clinic?s history, with new records set for number of patients treated and number ...
Quick Milestones for Aura Laser Skin Care?s Fractional CO2
State-of-the-art ?resurfacing? treatment is reshaping the skin-care industry ? and redefining Seattle, Washington-based Aura Laser Skin Care, where record numbers of patients are lining up for ?DOT Therapy.? (PRWeb February 02, 2012) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9147777.htm
Apsara Skin Care, Inc. Introduces 100% Natural Facial Toners
Apsara Skin Care, Inc., based in San Jose, California, welcomed 2012 with the launch of a new product category of facial toners. Keeping with its clean and green philosophy, all Apsara facial toners are chemical & alcohol free. They are based on rosewater, and formulated using the purest herbal and floral extracts to safely raise the beauty quotient of your skin. Detailed product information can ...
Skin Care for Athletes Uses Indiegogo Campaign for Soap Line for Women?s Shel...
Skin Care for Athletes' Giving Goddess Soaps Launching with Help from On-Line Fundraising Campaign [PR.com]
Aura Laser Skin Care Reports: Man Up
Seattle, Washington-based Aura Laser Skin Care clinic announces surprising findings on skin-care trends, including dramatic increases in number of male patients. (PRWeb February 01, 2012) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9147775.htm
Mango Madness Skin Care Announces Re-Packaged Retinol Cream for Enhanced Potency
Anti-aging skin care product retailer Mango Madness Skin Care, Inc. has announced new packaging for its ReNew Youth? retinol cream in an airless pump for enhanced protection from light and air in a move to enhance the long term potency of the product. [PR.com]