Cellulite

Cellulite is a term that is used to describe fat deposits under the skin that outwardly give the skin a dimpled, or orange-peel like appearance. Cellulite is most often seen in women because the fat is arranged in large chambers separated by columns of collagen fibres.

Why should I be aware of this?

• Cellulite is said to be the result of the growth of sedentary lifestyle in industrialized society.
• Cellulite doesn't only afflict the overall obese figures It's also a scourge of the skinny, not to mention girls as young as teenagers. In spite of sustained efforts to find ways to dissolve these nuisance nodules—from lasers to caffeine creams—researchers and doctors have still not been able to come up with a solution.
• Cellulite affects 90 percent of women and 10 percent of men, mostly in industrial nations. Cellulite begins to appear first between the age 25 and 35. As women start approaching menopause, estrogen starts decreasing. As estrogen has an impact on the blood vessels, when it decreases, you lose receptors in blood vessels and thighs, leading to decreased circulation. With decreased circulation you get less oxygen and nutrition to that area, and a decrease in collagen production. During this period fat cells start becoming larger, begin protruding through the collagen and become the bumpy fat known as cellulite.

All about Cellulite

Cellulite is normal for many women and some men as well.As the body ages, the skin becomes thinner and there is nothing that can be done for that natural aging process. Women develp cellulite mostly around the thighs, buttocks and the abdomen.

Hormones and metabolism

Hormones along with the body's metabolism also contribute to the storage of fat. Women during their hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause and also whilst taking birth control pills, are most affected. A woman's hormones are usually responsible for the regulation of their blood flow, fat, connective tissue and lymphatic drainage. There are three treatable components of cellulite involves addressing the collagen; reducing the fat, and increasing circulation.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the grade of cellulite you have. There are four grades, ranging from zero to three: Grade zero is not visible. In grade 1, if you pinch the skin see you can see a cottage cheese–like texture. Grade two is if cellulite is visible on the legs of someone standing. Grade three is if you see cellulite when you look in the mirror or lie down. Grade 3 is very hard to treat, though it doesn’t lead to death

Cellulite can be treated with machines such as vacuum rolling and radio waves to break up the fat. Vacuuming and rolling the skin increases circulation and the heat helps to break down the fat, which smoothes out the skin.

Lasers, injections and surgery

Laser treatments are combined with massage and rolling; they either do suction or rolling and use radio waves and heat up the fat—put fat on a stove in a frying pan, and it melts. "Subcision" surgery was invented to get rid of indentations in the face (such as acne scarring), and one dermatologist took that technology and applied it to dimples in the buttocks. For subcision, the area is anesthetized and a small incision made with a special needle. It is moved back and forth. The skin can be cut from the tissue, thereby getting rid of the dimples.

Some other treatments

• Many products are available today which claim to remedy cellulite. Many do not live up to the claim. So it is important to be careful which purchasing.
• There are also creams available which contain herbs, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins which help make the skin softer, healthier and smoother
• It is not only about avoiding sweets and sugar but more about hormone balance. — there is the need to eat healthy, and remain active.
• Many products consist of topical treatments which alone are ineffective in the treatment of cellulite.
• Creams which contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatories are more effective when treating cellulite as they stimulate the flow of blood.
• Cellulite can be reduced temporarily by increasing moisture to the affected area. Remember that Cellulite needs to be treated from the inside as well as the outside.
• Some methods like liposuction aren't really advised for cellulite, other therapies like mesotherapy and endermologie, are very popular, and quite effective.

What can I do?

• Coconut oil is one of the common home remedies for cellulite. Coconut oil massage is very effective in treating cellulite problems.
• Grapefruit is also another useful home remedy for the treatment of cellulite problem.
• Massaging with almond oil, saunf oil, and rosemary oil is also very effective in cellulite treatment. Mix each oil in equal ratio (1:1:1) and apply on the cellulite area like hips, buttocks, thighs.
• Take healthy balanced diet including fruits, fiber-rich vegetables and green vegetables to keep the cellulite problem to the minimum. They are helpful in the treatment of cellulite.
• Do not eat junk foods. Avoid tea and coffee; this will not only minimize your cellulite problem but avoiding them is very much required for liver, and heart functioning.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking.
• Avoid excess salt in your diet as it harms your body and increases itswater level.

Exercise

Here is a recommended exercise to fight cellulite on the upper thigh area:

• Lie on your stomach with hipbones on the floor, legs extended. Rest chin on hands.
• Slowly lift left leg, foot flexed, about six to twelve inches, keeping hips glued to the floor.
• Move leg to the left 12 inches, hold for two counts and bring it back to center.
• Then shift leg 12 inches to the right (or as far as you can without lifting your hips), hold for two counts and return to center. Lower leg to ground and repeat. Do three sets of 15 reps on your left leg, than switch sides.

Unlearn

Many people believe that cellulite and ordinary fat are the same. Because of this, they believe that eating healthy diet and regular exercise are the keys to remove cellulite. In truth, however, cellulite is more stubborn than ordinary fat. It consists of hard fat lumps entangled in between skin tissues. This makes it difficult for the body to flush out the fat deposits that are visible on the skin.

References:

• Is Cellulite Forever?
• What Is Cellulite?