Cellulite Reduction

The Never-Ending Search for Effective Cellulite Reduction

Just the mention of cellulite is enough to make nearly every woman cringe. Nobody wants to have skin that looks like cottage cheese on their buttocks or legs but the sad truth is that nearly 80 percent of women past puberty have to look at it every day. Because it's an issue that almost every woman faces, the market for cellulite reduction is massive.

Creams can cost hundreds of dollars and massage therapists swear that they know the secret method that will give you back your youthful elasticity. There are even plastic surgeons that specialize in removing cellulite for those that are willing to go under the knife. Unfortunately, most of the cellulite reduction methods out there are nothing more than scams to separate desperate women from their money.

What is Cellulite and How Can You Avoid It?

Cellulite is nothing more than fat deposits that appear lumpy because the adipose tissue (fat) is bulging between your skin and the layer of fibrous, ropey tissue that connects your skin to your muscles. As fat cells accumulate, they are pushed between the layers and form the dimpled patterns that are despised by all.  There is some evidence that genetics plays a role in the appearance of cellulite but lifestyle is a major contributor as well.

The best cellulite reduction method is to avoid getting it to begin with. Living an active lifestyle that includes a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is a great place to start. Incorporate both toning exercises and at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity into your exercise program and hit the gym at least three times per week.  Drinking plenty of water is also suggested because it's great for maintaining your skin's elasticity and flushing out toxins and other waste that some sources believe contribute to the appearance of cellulite.

Weight Loss for Cellulite Reduction

Many people believe that losing weight will magically make cellulite disappear, but that's not necessarily the case; in fact, if you don't exercise while you're losing weight, loose skin can make it appear worse than it was before the weight loss. In any case, a person doesn't necessarily have to be overweight to have cellulite; even thin women are afflicted. If you really want to get back your smooth skin by losing weight then you need to exercise regularly, drink plenty of water and eat a variety of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.

Topical Creams for Cellulite Reduction

Any store that has a beauty aisle will have at least a few creams that promise cellulite reduction and the internet is overflowing with even more. These creams are made with a vast array of ingredients including antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, exotic mud and herbal supplements such as bayberries. Though some of these creams may not even be good moisturizers, others have some research supporting their efficacy. One of these products is retinol, an animal form of vitamin A. Products containing .3 percent retinol have been clinically proven to improve the appearance of cellulite within six months. Note though, that it “improves the appearance”; it's good for cellulite reduction but may not get rid of it completely.

Though there are several other creams that actually do improve the appearance of cellulite (or even get rid of it altogether), most of the time it's not gone for good. Studies show that most cellulite reduction creams only reduce the appearance of cellulite temporarily. That's great if you're going on vacation and just want to look good for a short period of time but if you're looking for a permanent solution, creams may not be the way to go.

Surgical Procedures for Cellulite Reduction

Traditionally, if you wanted to have cellulite surgically removed, liposuction was your only choice. Until recently, liposuction involved making small incisions, inserting a wand under the skin, and sucking the fat out. This wasn't effective at getting rid of cellulite and often made it worse. A new form of liposuction involves using lasers and is both less invasive and possibly more effective.

There are also a few new medical procedures for cellulite reduction. Each procedure uses tissue massage, radiofrequency systems, lasers, or a combination of the three and are showing more promise than traditional liposuction. The procedures are showing improvements after several treatments and the results last up to six months. Again, this isn't a permanent cure.

Alternative Therapies for Cellulite Reduction

Though unsubstantiated by medical research, there are several alternative therapies that are widely utilized for cellulite reduction. Perhaps one of the most prominent involves vigorous tissue massage. The belief is that massage increases blood flow and helps eliminate toxins and fluid build-ups that contribute to cellulite. One of these methods, Endermologie, uses a small massage tool that kneads your skin between rollers. Though some of these methods show some immediate improvement, the results don't typically last.

Mesotherapy is another alternative therapy used for cellulite reduction. The procedure involves injecting small amounts of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and both pharmaceutical and homeopathic medications under the skin. The idea is that when the medicine is injected, the immune system is triggered and they body begins to heal itself. Side-effects include swelling and bruising at the injection sites, soreness, risk of infection and the possibility of an allergic reaction. There is no reliable clinical evidence to support the efficacy of mesotherapy.

So What's the Bottom Line?

To sum it up, the only real, tried and true method of cellulite reduction is a healthy diet, proper exercise, drinking plenty of water and eating foods rich in antioxidants. Even then, there's no guarantee that your cellulite is going to completely disappear. Retinol is proven effective but it may take you up to six months to obtain good results and as with every other treatment, you may not be able to get rid of it all. When discussing cellulite reduction, the best offense is definitely a good defense; if you don't already have cellulite, take every precaution that you can to keep it that way.