Tackling Cellulite
June 7, 2008
Beneath the skin are a large number of fat cells that form those orange peel type effects everyone knows as cellulite; most areas of the body can experience its effects but sufferers mainly have it below the abdomen. This is not a situation purely confined to those who carry excess weight; women who are naturally slim can also suffer with this unsightly problem.
Cellulite forms just below the surface of the skin in the thighs and buttocks region, where areas of fat collect and force themselves against the tissue creating a puckered look to the surface of the skin. Health experts have been trying to discover the cause for some time as it is not a condition that affects every woman but they believe it does have some connection to the way the fat cells are made and possibly how toxins enter and are stored within the body.
Two components of the skin that decrease with age are elastin and collagen, both of which may be responsible for the increase of these fatty cells as women grow older. It is normally classified as a problem caused by hormones and is why men rarely suffer with the condition as fat in their bodies is consistent throughout.
Often the cellulite goes unnoticed and it is only when a person’s muscles are compressed or the skin is pinched that it can be seen and felt but women should not feel depressed about the problem as most suffer with it to a greater or lesser degree. Although it may not be known what causes, some factors seem to contribute to its build up including age, sex, extra fat carried and skin thickness all seem to aid the formation.
One thing for sure is that technology has not as yet devised a miracle potion or treatment that can eradicate it completely. Massage has been found to help hide the indications of cellulite even though it cannot remove it; but is does reduce it’s visibility for a temporary period and is available from some beauty clinics.
Liposuction has now started to be used to try and remove the fat cells and even by injecting drugs directly into the affected sacks directly. However, these are only temporary measures so do not provide permanent relief and liposuction is really only efficient for deeper based fats and not those close to the surface as with cellulite.
Unfortunately at the moment there isn’t a magic formula for removal and it may be some time before it is found although some companies claim that they have creams that are effective but this seems to be better at hiding the effects. The most successful regimes so far are to adopt regular exercise, a good nutritious low-fat diet plan and reduce extra weight where possible.
In addition, increasing the intake of water will help cleanse the system and flush out damaging toxins plus smokers should stop smoking or at least reduce it which will also be beneficial as smoking impacts negatively on the capillaries in the skin and reducing stress will help reduce the amount of cellulite.
