Got cellulite? You're not alone: The cosmetic condition affects nearly 90% of women at some point during their lives, even women who are otherwise slender and fit. There's also a lot of misinformation out there about what it is, what causes it, and how to get rid of it. So before scheduling a cosmetic procedure or spending a fortune on cosmetics, read up on the real story behind cellulite.
Cellulite is caused by toxins in your body
Myth
Some over-the-counter cellulite products may claim to help remove impurities and toxins from the body. In fact, cellulite occurs when underlying fat deposits begin to push through layers of collagen fibers, or connective tissue, under the skin (often in the buttocks and thigh areas, but also on arms, stomachs, and other common trouble spots, as well). Connective tissue can be weakened by hormones, lack of exercise and muscle tone, excess fat, and poor circulation.
Some over-the-counter cellulite products may claim to help remove impurities and toxins from the body. In fact, cellulite occurs when underlying fat deposits begin to push through layers of collagen fibers, or connective tissue, under the skin (often in the buttocks and thigh areas, but also on arms, stomachs, and other common trouble spots, as well). Connective tissue can be weakened by hormones, lack of exercise and muscle tone, excess fat, and poor circulation.
Women get more cellulite than men
Fact
Women tend to carry more fat around their hips and thighs; women also have less supportive connective tissue to keep it all in place. However, it is estimated that about 10% of men suffer from cellulite, as well.
Women tend to carry more fat around their hips and thighs; women also have less supportive connective tissue to keep it all in place. However, it is estimated that about 10% of men suffer from cellulite, as well.
Cellulite gets worse with age
Fact
Hormones also seem to play a role in the appearance of cellulite: As women age, their bodies produce less estrogen—a hormone that helps keep blood vessels flowing smoothly. Less estrogen can mean poorer circulation, which can also mean a decrease in new collagen production and the breakdown of older connective tissue.
Hormones also seem to play a role in the appearance of cellulite: As women age, their bodies produce less estrogen—a hormone that helps keep blood vessels flowing smoothly. Less estrogen can mean poorer circulation, which can also mean a decrease in new collagen production and the breakdown of older connective tissue.
Cellulite may be in your genes
Fact
It's true that cellulite runs in families; if your mother and grandmother had cellulite, you have a better chance of also developing it. But if you're not one of the lucky ones with smooth-skinned relatives, take heart: Genetics is only one small part of the cellulite puzzle; factors like diet, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight also play a role.
It's true that cellulite runs in families; if your mother and grandmother had cellulite, you have a better chance of also developing it. But if you're not one of the lucky ones with smooth-skinned relatives, take heart: Genetics is only one small part of the cellulite puzzle; factors like diet, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight also play a role.
Cellulite only happens to out-of-shape people
Myth
Being overweight does make the appearance of cellulite more noticeable; the more fat you have underneath your skin, the more it's likely to put stress on your connective tissue and bulge out of its weak spots. But cellulite also happens to women of all shapes and sizes, even Victoria's Secret models are affected!
Being overweight does make the appearance of cellulite more noticeable; the more fat you have underneath your skin, the more it's likely to put stress on your connective tissue and bulge out of its weak spots. But cellulite also happens to women of all shapes and sizes, even Victoria's Secret models are affected!
Exercise can reduce the appearance of cellulite
Fact
A regular exercise practice cannot cure cellulite—but in many cases it can help prevent or reduce its appearance. Cellulite occurs when connective fibers underneath the skin become weak or lose their elasticity, but stretching and strengthening those areas (in addition to burning away excess fat overall) can help. Yoga routines that target the butt and thighs can help, as well as strength-training moves that build muscle and boost circulation.
A regular exercise practice cannot cure cellulite—but in many cases it can help prevent or reduce its appearance. Cellulite occurs when connective fibers underneath the skin become weak or lose their elasticity, but stretching and strengthening those areas (in addition to burning away excess fat overall) can help. Yoga routines that target the butt and thighs can help, as well as strength-training moves that build muscle and boost circulation.
Cardio is best for reducing all-over jiggle
Myth
Running or other forms of cardio can help keep weight off, which may reduce the appearance of dimples and dents. But to really smooth out your skin, you've got to strength train.
Running or other forms of cardio can help keep weight off, which may reduce the appearance of dimples and dents. But to really smooth out your skin, you've got to strength train.
Skin-firming creams can cure cellulite
Myth
Studies have found that products containing retinoids (labeled as retinol over-the-counter) may provide some temporary effects by creating a thicker skin cover that can help camouflage bumps. Evidences that creams or scrubs with stimulant ingredients, like caffeine, ginger, and green or black tea, are limited; these products are more likely to help with slimming and body contouring, which is not the same as cellulite.
Studies have found that products containing retinoids (labeled as retinol over-the-counter) may provide some temporary effects by creating a thicker skin cover that can help camouflage bumps. Evidences that creams or scrubs with stimulant ingredients, like caffeine, ginger, and green or black tea, are limited; these products are more likely to help with slimming and body contouring, which is not the same as cellulite.
Skin fillers can even out dimply skin
Fact
Injectable dermal fillers like Restylane and Radiesse, used primarily to plump up sagging cheekbones and remove facial wrinkles, have also shown to be beneficial—at least temporarily—for cellulite-plagued sections of skin. If someone is really skinny with a few really deep divots, a filler can plump that up and even it out really well. However, the procedure can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars per leg, and the results tend to only last a few months.
Injectable dermal fillers like Restylane and Radiesse, used primarily to plump up sagging cheekbones and remove facial wrinkles, have also shown to be beneficial—at least temporarily—for cellulite-plagued sections of skin. If someone is really skinny with a few really deep divots, a filler can plump that up and even it out really well. However, the procedure can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars per leg, and the results tend to only last a few months.
Non-invasive procedures for cellulite really do work
Fact
Laser, radio-frequency, and massage techniques have been used for several years to reduce the appearance of cellulite—and while their results are not permanent, they are effective in the short-term. Radio-frequency treatment Thermage CL and Vela Shape are more expensive but results seem to last six months to a year.
Laser, radio-frequency, and massage techniques have been used for several years to reduce the appearance of cellulite—and while their results are not permanent, they are effective in the short-term. Radio-frequency treatment Thermage CL and Vela Shape are more expensive but results seem to last six months to a year.
Liposuction will make your legs (or arms, or tummy) look better
Myth
If cellulite is your problem, liposuction should not be your solution. In fact, the cosmetic procedure could even make fat distribution more uneven, making its outward appearance even worse. Another vacuum-like (but non-surgical) procedure, however, known as Endermologie, has been shown to help: a technician runs a suctioning device surrounded by rollers over a patient's skin, pulling and squeezing trouble spots for about 30 minutes. Results are visible after about 10 visits (two per week).
If cellulite is your problem, liposuction should not be your solution. In fact, the cosmetic procedure could even make fat distribution more uneven, making its outward appearance even worse. Another vacuum-like (but non-surgical) procedure, however, known as Endermologie, has been shown to help: a technician runs a suctioning device surrounded by rollers over a patient's skin, pulling and squeezing trouble spots for about 30 minutes. Results are visible after about 10 visits (two per week).
Certain foods can help fight cellulite
Fact
Your diet alone can't determine whether you will or will not get cellulite, but eating a well-balanced, plant-heavy diet can reduce inflammation throughout your body and help you maintain a healthy weight. Staying hydrated—both by drinking water and by eating plenty of foods with high water content—will also keep your connective tissue strong and supple, and may even help you slim down. Aim to eat more cucumbers, radishes, tomatoes, and bell peppers, which (along with many other fruits and veggies) are all more than 90% water.
Your diet alone can't determine whether you will or will not get cellulite, but eating a well-balanced, plant-heavy diet can reduce inflammation throughout your body and help you maintain a healthy weight. Staying hydrated—both by drinking water and by eating plenty of foods with high water content—will also keep your connective tissue strong and supple, and may even help you slim down. Aim to eat more cucumbers, radishes, tomatoes, and bell peppers, which (along with many other fruits and veggies) are all more than 90% water.
Only a dermatologist should perform cellulite treatments
Myth
A skin doc is a good place to start, and many dermatologists do perform treatments in their clinics. However, medi-spas can also perform treatments such as Endermologie and non-invasive laser procedures—make sure your technician is licensed and has received proper training on whatever device you choose.
A skin doc is a good place to start, and many dermatologists do perform treatments in their clinics. However, medi-spas can also perform treatments such as Endermologie and non-invasive laser procedures—make sure your technician is licensed and has received proper training on whatever device you choose.
The clothing you wear can make an impact
Myth
For any clothing that claims to actually have lasting results, it's just a marketing gimmick and it's not true. In fact, for some tight clothes, the opposite may be true: Elastic bands on underwear, for example, can actually contribute to the appearance of cellulite if they cut off circulation and limit blood flow.
For any clothing that claims to actually have lasting results, it's just a marketing gimmick and it's not true. In fact, for some tight clothes, the opposite may be true: Elastic bands on underwear, for example, can actually contribute to the appearance of cellulite if they cut off circulation and limit blood flow.
Smoking can affect the appearance of cellulite
Fact
Cigarette smoke has been shown to reduce blood vessel flow and to weaken and disrupt the formation of collagen, allowing for the connective tissue to become stretched and damaged more easily and for underlying fat to show through. Plus, smoking can make you look bad (literally) in lots of other ways, like producing premature wrinkles and aging.
Cigarette smoke has been shown to reduce blood vessel flow and to weaken and disrupt the formation of collagen, allowing for the connective tissue to become stretched and damaged more easily and for underlying fat to show through. Plus, smoking can make you look bad (literally) in lots of other ways, like producing premature wrinkles and aging.
There's no permanent cellulite solution
Fact (for now)
The most recent and promising procedure is a surgery called Cellulaze, approved by the FDA in 2012, in which an optic laser melts fat, breaks up fibrous connective tissue and stimulates the growth of new collagen, all through a pinhole-sized incision in the skin. Recovery is quick: you can have it done on a Friday and be back to work by Monday. The treatment starts at about $3,500 per leg, but results seem to last at least a year or two.
The most recent and promising procedure is a surgery called Cellulaze, approved by the FDA in 2012, in which an optic laser melts fat, breaks up fibrous connective tissue and stimulates the growth of new collagen, all through a pinhole-sized incision in the skin. Recovery is quick: you can have it done on a Friday and be back to work by Monday. The treatment starts at about $3,500 per leg, but results seem to last at least a year or two.
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