Reduce & Remove Cellulite Fast

History, Causes And Cellulite Treatments

Cellulite! Women want to remove cellulite fast . Why? Because many people consider it to be unsightly and even ugly. Sometimes referred to as “cottage cheese” or “orange peel” skin, the term cellulite refers to the collections of fat that push against the connective tissue beneath the skin causing the surface of the skin to pucker and look lumpy. Although dimples on the face may be cute, dimpled thighs, stomach, and butt are definitely not.

Do you have cellulite? Pinch the skin around your upper thigh – if it looks somewhat lumpy you probably do. But don’t worry – most women (and some men) have cellulite, too!

Cellulite is considered to be “normal,” meaning that many perfectly normal people have it and that it is not a disease or type of abnormality. It occurs in people of all races, living all over the world. It is affected by heredity, gender, skin thickness, age, and the distribution of body fat.

Every day, however, we are shown images of apparently perfect women – just look at television, the movies, and fashion magazines. It’s hard not to feel unhappy when/if we compare ourselves to them. But did you know that lots of these actresses and models have cellulite too? The thing they have that you might not is access to airbrushing, lighting, and good camera angles.

What’s fascinating about cellulite is that until recently it wasn’t considered to be a medical “condition” or personal problem. In fact, in the 1800’s having cellulite indicated that you were part of the upper class and had social status. In fact, cellulite was displayed prominently in paintings of the time. The wealthy ate rich foods, were not very active, had servants, and were driven everywhere – and since the wealthy were the ones who commissioned paintings, their cellulite was shown to the public.

The word “cellulite” is of French origin and is actually pronounced cell-u-leet and not cell-u-lite. The French authors Alquier and Paviot introduced the word in about 1923. But by 1972 “cellulite” became a household word to most women as a result of Nicole Ronsard’s best-selling book, Cellulite: Those Lumps, Bumps and Bulges You Couldn’t Lose Before. Of interest, in browsing a 1981 Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, the word “cellulite” doesn’t even appear (although “cellulitis ,” which is an inflammation of connective tissue beneath the skin, does).

So what is cellulite? Cellulite is a condition of bulging fat cells. If you were to look at an anatomical illustration you would see your skin surface (epidermis) on top, followed by the dermis. Beneath the dermis is a subcutaneous layer of fat. In fact there are three layers of fat. Sometimes the fat cells expand so much that they cause the collagen fibers around them to bend, causing the puckering of the skin above – in short, causing cellulite. While the fat does not respond well to diet or exercise, the layer of muscle beneath all this does.

Is there something that can be done to eliminate cellulite now ? There are a variety of treatments that are being promoted, ranging from dietary changes to cellulite creams, as well as medical and mechanical treatments. And, of course, there is exercise.

1. Chemicals such as aminophylline, caffeine, and theophyilline are often used in cellulite creams because of their know ability to break down fat stores. However, most skin creams cannot deliver these chemicals in a high enough concentration, for an extended period of time. Nevertheless, these preparations are very popular. Even the extra blood stimulation that occurs when massaging these creams in may do some good.

2. Dietary supplements and “detoxifying” systems are marketed as methods to boost metabolism, improve circulation, break down fat, remove toxins, and protect against cell damage. These claims are difficult to evaluate and supplements are not regulated by the Food & Drug Administration. In any case, ingredients such as ginkgo biloba, sweet clover, grape-seed bioflavinoids, bladder wrack extract, oil of evening primrose, fish oil, and soy lecithin are often contained in these formulations. Make your selection(s) wisely and be aware that some supplements are known to pose health risks or interact with prescription drugs. For example, something called “Cellasene” contains iodine, which many doctors warn may be harmful for those with thyroid and other conditions.

3. Massage treatments have been developed to target areas affected by cellulite. Perhaps the most well known of these is Endermologie. Developed in France and used since the mid-1900s, Endermologie has been approved by the U.S. FDA for the temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite. Treatments take about 30-45 minutes and 10-12 sessions are typically needed before the results are noticeable. A temporary decrease in the appearance of cellulite usually occurs, after which regular maintenance treatments are required to maintain the desired effect. It is believed that the technique redistributes fat rather than permanently altering its configuration under the skin.

4. Herbal and body wraps are popular treatment for cellulite. Many spas and salons offer them. These wraps often decrease fluid retention and improve the overall appearance of skin. However, the effects are usually temporary requiring ongoing “wrapping.” &#92

5. Laser or light therapy is an approach that, like Energmologie, can achieve the temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite. The FDA has approved two light-therapy devices that combine suction or massage with light therapy. TriActive is a treatment that combines a low-level laser treatment with suction and manipulation of the skin; VelaSmooth is another treatment combining laser and massage therapy. Both of these devices require multiple treatment sessions as well as maintenance treatments.

6. Mesotherapy is a controversial treatment for cellulite that involves injecting drugs or other substances directly into affected tissue. Multiple injections over 10 or more sessions are required. The safety and efficacy of these procedures have not been thoroughly evaluated.

7. Collagenase is a naturally-occurring enzyme in the body that breaks down collagen. Research is being done to see if collagenase injections are actually beneficial in improving the appearance of cellulite. However, this treatment is currently considered experimental and the extent and duration of the improvements, if any, are not known.

8. Traditional liposuction is NOT a recommended treatment. This technique, which extracts fat by vacuuming it from under the skin, can actually worsen the appearance of the skin. When the cushion of fat that lies directly below the skin is sucked additional dimpling of the skin may occur. Newer types of liposuction may be of value.

9. Cellulite diets have been proposed as a way to treat cellulite. It is suggested that certain combination of foods in the diet can reduce inflammation while improving circulation in affected areas. Although it is not clear that a special diet to target cellulite is either effective or necessary, it IS true that eating a healthy diet can decrease fluid retention and improve the overall health and appearance of skin.

10. Exercise! Although not the easiest or “sexy-ist” option, specially-targeted exercise is perhaps the most effective way to remove cellulite fast. Why? (picture of epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous fat and muscle)

Although influenced by genetics and heredity, here are some other factors that influence your chance of developing cellulite:

• Not enough water
Cellulite is considered to be a mixture of fat, water, and some toxic wastes that the body has failed to eliminate, so drinking plenty of water can help.

• Poor diet
Too much alcohol, processed foods, and caffeine can affect the development of cellulite.

• Smoking
Smoking can damage the connective tissue in your body, thus adding to the dimpled look of cellulite.

• Medication
Sometimes diet pills, sleeping pills diuretics and even birth control are thought to lead to the formation of cellulite.

• Sedentary lifestyle
The results of a sedentary lifestyle, poor circulation and muscle tone, can definitely affect cellulite development.

So, eating a healthy diet and keeping muscles toned by regular exercise are two of the approaches to keep the body as taut and smooth as possible. But chances are you are going to want to investigate some of the many other possible treatments as well!