Anti-Cellulite Answers

Cellulite is a medical term for fat, one of the most stubbornly irritating problems faced by women. Cellulite is pure fat pushed outward towards the skin while the connective fibres that connect your skin to muscle pull inwards, specifically lumpy fat located around the upper thighs and lower buttocks. Women are genetically have a tendency to store fat around their hip and thigh area. That is the place where cellulite occurs the most. Cellulite affects many more women than men. Men don't get cellulite because they store fat around their middles, rather than in the cellulite zone (thighs, hips and behind). It is estimated that almost 85 percent of American women have excessive cellulite on their thighs and buttocks. Also, the dermis over the fat layer is thicker in men, which hides dimples, and more importantly, men's connective fibers are anchored differently.

What is the cause of cellulite?
The latest theory suggests that female hormonal influences cause fat cells to cluster together in the thighs. The clumped fat cells constrict the tiny local blood vessels and impair normal blood flow. With damaged blood vessels and compromised blood flow, the cells in the thigh area cannot repair themselves in their usual way. Instead, deposits of protein form around the clumped fat cells and damaged blood vessels. The combination of protein and fat with poor circulation creates spots under the skin, which project a "cottage cheese" appearance in the thighs. In short, scientists now think cellulite is a consequence of female hormones, decreased circulation in tiny blood vessels, and protein and fat globule deposits under the skin. Much of this process may be genetically determined.

How to get Rid of cellulite?
Your first plan of action to get rid of cellulite should be exercise. If you are able to shed fat, you will automatically reduce cellulite. Build up muscle tone which will help you in burning more calories even while at rest. In order to shed fat from your body you will have to cut out the fat from your diet. Switch to fruits and vegetables, whole-grain breads, chapatti made from unpolished wheat flour, 'khakharas' and low-fat yoghurt made from skimmed milk.

Massage breaks up fat cells, which makes it harder for to dimple.

The next thing you should perform is a good cellulite massage. Massaging the thighs to promote good circulation is another technique used to reduce cellulite. Some anti-cellulite creams also suggest you to use them with massage. A cream makes massage easier, but it's the massage, not the potions, that probably helps most. Many spas use a combination of herbs and other naturally derived creams, in conjunction with massage, heating pads, or warm towels. A special machine called Endermologie is also used to help massage the skin and promote circulation. Endermologie experts claim their machine increases local circulation as the clusters of cellulite are rolled over and stretched out. Endermologie machines are used by some dermatologists and plastic surgeons, and may temporarily reduce cellulite when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise program. A healthy diet and a regular exercise program appear to control cellulite by stimulating circulation and metabolism.

Liposuction is another surgical procedure used to reduce cellulite. After an incision, a small metal tube is placed in the fat site, and a pump like device suctions unwanted fat from the body. Scientific literature suggests that this is the most effective way to achieve visible results. Liposuction, however, involves a certain amount of risk and should be discussed with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

Liposuction acts only to reduce fatty deposits; it does not address the problems of circulation or hormone influence that contribute to cellulite. Although liposuction appears to provide the most visible results, future treatments that target fat removal as well 'as circulation and hormone influences would remove cellulite even more effectively.

Cellulite Cream and Lotion
Forget the ads. There is no magic cellulite lotion that can help you get rid of cellulite completely. But you can reduce the appearance of cellulite to some extent.

Cellulite creams for the thighs contain one or more ingredients that have reported to destroy fat deposits, and thereby prevent the formation of cellulite. Research studies done by scientists have shown that at the most cellulite creams show minimal reduction for cellulite and that too with creams that contain caffeine. Cream-based products with botanical ingredients, such as sweet clover, ivy barley, lemon, kola nut, fennel, algae, and strawberry, are also advertised for cellulite reduction. Till now, nobody knows how these substances help to get rid of cellulite, and no good researches support the claims of these cellulite creams and lotions.

You can also rub in tretinoin cream, which is a cream to reduce cellulite. It may improve the appearance of cellulite when used along with massage and exercise. When you use tretinoin, the skin gets a bit thicker and firmer, and then the little fat pockets don't project through the skin as much. But tretinoin isn't a miracle cure.

Cellulite is fat. You aren't going to get rid of it very much by the use of creams. So, if you've tried everything and still harbour a few unwanted ripples, don't fret. It is possible that you can be at your ideal weight and in great shape, yet still have dimples caused by cellulite.