We’ve all seen cellulite before, haven’t we? Those trashy magazines on display in the supermarket checkout lane commonly display photographic evidence of its presence on celebrity figures for all the world to see…and this can mortify us! After all, if the “beautiful people” in our world can’t answer the question, Is it possible to get rid of cellulite, what chances do we ordinary people have to prevent or get rid of it? Not much, it seems.
Virtually every woman either has or will develop visible cellulite…pockets of fat the body stores just below skin surface in trouble areas. It’s genetic...it’s hormonal...it’s an unpleasant fact of life. So the question on the lips of cellulite sufferers everywhere is fairly straightforward.
Is it possible to get rid of cellulite? Before answering that query, it may be helpful to discuss what cellulite is, where and how it forms, who experiences it and why some people get it while others do not.
The prevailing medical and scientific views on cellulite suggest it is caused by an overabundance of certain female hormones, as well as fluctuating levels of insulin, which is the hormone responsible for converting dietary sugar into fat. One interesting view postulates the formation of cellulite as natural ensurance for survival of our species. The healthy female human body guarantees enough body fat to support a full term pregnancy and adequate milk production for her offspring during infancy!
Therefore the question - is it possible to get rid of cellulite – becomes a different one – is it possible to prevent a naturally occuring event designed to preserve humanity? When one looks at it in those terms, cellulite can be considered a positive trait rather than a negative one. Sadly, few of us can make this transition in cosmetic philosophy.
A scourge to most women, cellulite fat forms just beneath skin surface in honeycomb shaped compartments composed of septae. These stringy tissues adhere skin to underlying muscle tissue. The strange ‘orange peel’ effect is caused when fat pushes around septae and against the skin’s surface. Skin and septae are composed of collagen and elastin, among other things. While it is true that as we become older, our bodies produce less of these two proteins, cellulite is considered a hormonal development because men rarely develop it.
Male septae form into webs, which separate subcutaneous fat away from skin’s surface. However, if there is enough body fat present, or if a man experiences abnormal levels of gender-specific hormones, he too may develop cellulite.
Massage therapy does seem to temporarily lessen the visibility of cellulite. This type of treatment is available at some beauty salons, as well as non-traditional health care and chiropractic clinics. Another technique which claims to remove cellulite, is liposuction surgery. This is major invasive surgery, performed by a plastic surgeon or surgically trained dermatologist under general anesthesia. It is quite expensive, and there are no guarantees that it will improve your appearance. In fact, many clients who’ve undergone liposuction have reported looking worse after liposuction than they did before!
The same can be said about abdomenoplasty, commonly referred to as a tummy tuck. A procedure known as mesotherapy injects chemicals into fat cells with the intent of breaking these up. These procedures are very expensive; while they work well for some folks, these methods don't work at all for others Even when they do work, results are not visible until inflammation disappears. This may take 6 weeks or longer.
The best treatments for cellulite fat address the primary underlying cause which is too much body fat. Therefore, the number one best, most effective, and perhaps even the quickest way to get rid of it is to lower body fat percentages by losing weight. To do this one must adhere to a healthy diet and exercize program. This will take several months to produce results, and a lifetime to maintain them. Your plan should be realistic. Consult your doctor for help in determining a healthy lifestyle system that is designed specifically for you. Starving yourself will not improve anything, let alone your appearance.
Eat three balanced meals and three small but nutritional snacks at regular intervals throughout your day. Drink plenty of natural, clean water to help you system eliminate toxins and wastes that may otherwise contribute to the appearance of cellulite. Practice moderation in all areas of your life. Eat wholesome, natural foods full of all the vitamins and minerals your body needs to maintain health. Avoid processed foods high in sugar, saturated fat, starchy carbohydrates or excess sodium. Exercise regularly with cardiovascular activity, non aerobic stretching exercises and muscle strengthening resistance training. Get plenty of sleep. In other words, take good care of yourself, and soon, cellulite will become one of your more trivial concerns!
