There Must Be  Millions Of Dollars Spent  Every Year
On “Cellulite Problems�…Here Are the Hard Facts On
What Can, or Cannot, Be Done….Once And For All!

One of the questions I’m asked frequently by friends and customers concerns cellulite.  That’s only natural, since it is estimated that 85% of women develop it.  So, since it’s such a pervasive question, here’s the total scoop on the subject.

What is Cellulite?

Simply stated, cellulite is fat, the same as any other fat on your body.  The term refers to the dimpled appearance of the skin seen in areas of the hips, thighs, and buttocks.  It is more commonly seen in women because of the way a woman’s body distributes fat.  It may become more prevalent at times because of a hormonal surge, like during pregnancy or puberty.  It is an increased ratio of fat cells to lean body mass, formed by a system-wide failure to eliminate fibrous proteins that accumulate between the cells.

Men are less likely to have cellulite because they have thicker skin, which is much better at hiding the fat beneath.

 So what can be done?

There are plenty of cellulite treatments. They are listed below but, I tell you in advance, some are expensive; none are permanent, except, perhaps, one that has not yet been proven safe.  Some don’t work at all and there are some very temporary ones.  As with anything else, you must exercise caution, since some of the unproven treatments could be potentially dangerous.

Exercise and Diet

Getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet lower in calories, and maintaining a normal weight may work as a cellulite treatment for some people. Experts suggest a whole foods diet with less complex carbohydrates and sugars than usually recommended; large amounts of filtered water; decreasing fats to below 20% of the total diet, and avoiding as much as possible animal fats and processed fats.

But exercise and diet, while it can help, won’t necessarily solve the problem completely. 

Self-massage of the affected area regularly might help and can be done easily at home.  After massage let gravity help by propping your legs up against a wall or over a chair and massage, very lightly, the crease formed by the legs and the abdomen in order to open the channels for the elimination of those fibrous proteins loosened by the exercise and massage.

Creams

There are many creams on the market as cellulite treatments.  Most are over the counter and a few are by prescription.  Most of them have some fancy sounding ingredient, like prehistoric mud and the pollen of the most rare Alpine weed, etc.

Doctors say these creams may work for some people.  Any results, however, are temporary, and the best ones are those containing theophylline or caffeine, which some studies have shown cause fat cells to dissolve.

Endermologie

One of the best known cellulite treatments is Endermologie, a deep-massage therapy that uses a device that suctions the skin with a vacuum and kneads it with a set of rollers.  The deep tissue massage can break up some of the fibrous bands, help circulation, and improve the appearance of the skin.  While it works for some women, the effects don’t last.  Regular maintenance is needed to keep up appearances and individual sessions cost more then $100 on average.  They’re usually done weekly and take about an hour.  Some people will get no results.

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy involves a series of injections into small pockets of cellulite.  They contain a solution of homeopathic medications and supplements that supposedly break down fat and “flushâ€� it away.  Widely accepted in Europe, it has yet to be studied scientifically here, but there’s a good deal of skepticism.  A lot of injections heighten the risk of side effects and problems.  The treatment is very expensive, perhaps five times more than Endermologie. According to Dr. Lisa Donofrio, associate Clinical professor, dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, “If you look at the literature, there just isn’t good evidence that it works and it can also cause really serious infections.â€�

Herbal Medicines

The fact is that no combination of herbs or vitamins is known to have any effect on cellulite whatsoever, except perhaps as an aid to diet and weight control, which, as I’ve said before, can have some effect.

Liposuction

Liposuction doesn’t work either for cellulite.  Liposuction can really only get at fat that’s deep down beneath the skin.  Cellulite is generally too close to the surface for liposuction to help.  Besides, it’s the fibrous bands that really give cellulite its appearance.  Getting rid of fat alone wouldn’t really do much.

Newest Attack

This year, an Italian clothing company released the first line of anti-cellulite pants.  As you walk around town, the friction between your body and the jeans releases an anti-cellulite cream.  Price:  $139.  The world’s dermatologists are unconvinced.

On the Horizon

A number of cellulite treatment devices have been developed that combine deep tissue massage with other features, such as light and radio frequency therapy.  Clinical trials are not yet complete, but, it is hoped to have treatments that, if not permanent, will certainly be longer lasting than what is available now.

But Dr. Donofrio says “We’re not even close.â€�  She says there’s no way to do anything permanent because, to do so would require genetic changes—a lot more than dyes or creams can do.

What Can Be Done?

Until that miraculous treatment appears, if it ever does, we’ll all just have to put up with cellulite.  If you’re dying to try something—and provided the therapy you want has no risks—you could do so.  However, keep a level head because, at best, the results are going to be modest.  Be cautious before investing too much money.

If you’re considering treatment in a doctor’s office, shop around.  Some doctors who have invested in an expensive cellulite-treatment machine might be tempted to use it even in cases where it probably won’t work.  If you do decide to get a series of treatments, make sure you understand how many you’ll need and how much you’ll be paying.

Since you can’t get rid of it, maybe a change of attitude might be the best therapy you could possibly perform.  The next time you’re looking over your shoulder, staring unhappily at the reflection of your backside in your bedroom mirror, remember this:  If 85% of the women of the world have cellulite, so, too, do 85% of the most beautiful among them, including movie stars and celebrities.  And if these glamorous beauties can have cellulite, maybe you should not be so hard on yourself!!

A Personal Thought from Me about Children

So many people like to blame “genetically predeterminedâ€� on too many things. Keep your babies at a normal weight and go on to help your daughter learn that keeping her weight at a normal level as a teen can help prevent or lessen this problem later in life….and sometimes not so late.  This information will allow her an option. She will be able to make her own choice if it is important - and she will be able to make it before it is too difficult for her to correct.