Anti Cellulite Creams
Around 85% to 95% of women have cellulite at some stage
of their lives. Cellulite is that puckered, orange peel
looking skin commonly found on the stomach, buttocks
and thighs. Unfortunately, cellulite is just one more
of those cruel conditions that appear more with age.
Cause of Cellulite
There is wide disagreement as to the exact causes of
cellulite. However, most most experts agree that it
results from reduced natural circulation processes -
lymph and blood circulation - in the capillaries of
the subcutaneous tissue.
Added to this,other theories include:
Weight Gain - weght gain causes the
fat cells in the mesoderm to swell; placing additional
strain on the surrounding connective tissue. This results
in compromised microcirculation.
Genetics - that some women have more
genetic disposition to cellulite than others. Studies
of newborns support this theory; based on the number
of septa bands found in the infants skin. Several genetic
factors have been shown to be necessary for cellulite
to develop. Gender, race, biotype, and a hormone receptor
allele that determines the receptor number and sensitivity,
distribution of subcutaneous fat, and predisposition
to circulatory insufficiency have all been shown to
contribute to cellulite.
Hormonal - hormones play a dominant
role in the formation of cellulite. Estrogen is thought
to initiate, and aggravate cellulite. Other hormones
including insulin, the catecholamines adrenaline and
noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin have
all been shown to participate in the development of
cellulite.
Diet - excessive amounts of fat,
carbohydrates, salt, alcohol or too little fiber can
all contribute to an increase cellulite.
Lifestyle - Smoking, lack of exercise,
tight clothes, high heeled shoes, and sitting or standing
in a single position of long periods have all been correlated
with an increase in cellulite. A high stress lifestyle
will cause an increase in the catecholamine hormones.
Cellulite With Aging
Cellulite may not only increase with age, but the amount
of cellulite present becomes more visible. This is due
to a factor of skin changes and muscular degeneration,
called sarcopenia.
Skin Factors
As we age, two skin related elements change:
- our constructive tissue strands thicken and
- the skin gets thinner.
As we age, our ciruclatory system starts weakening,
resulting in less nourishment reaching the skin cells.
In addition, lymph vessels can become damaged over time,
allowing cellulite to become more apparent.
Muscle Loss
The average woman loses around 5 pounds of muscle for
each decade of adult life. This is generally replaced
with about 15 pounds of fat.
Whilst muscle lies taut beneath the skin, fat is extremely
soft, making the skin appear less toned. Fat also takes
up more space than muscle for the same weight; causing
the bulge in the skin known as cellulite.
Cellulite Products
Cellulite treatments are a combination of massage and
topical lotions and creams. These treatments and products
are designed to stimulate cell circulation, reducing
fluid and ridding the skin of toxins. Some claim to
literally "melt" fat away.
A high quality cellulite product must not only contain
the essential ingredients to effect these functions,
but also an efficient product delivery system to ensure
the lotions reach every cell.
Cellulite creams claim to work by pulling fluids out
of the spaces between cells and induce lipolysis --
fat burning in the layer just below the skin's surface.
A recent study published in the journal Dermatologic
Surgery, found that certain cellulite creams did in
fact reduce fat cells in the skin, with visible reduction
in the appearance of cellulite in just a few weeks.
The effectiveness of cellulite products to significantly
reduce the appearance of cellulite varies greatly. With
over 200 products currently on the market for treating
cellulite, it is important to know what to look for
- price is definitely not a reliable guide.
Each cellulite product should have three core ingredients
to:
- reduce the appearance of cellulite
- have the proper delivery of active ingredients
- have skin tightening properties.
In a recent UK television show, a trial using 100 women
in 4 groups of 25, blind tested four cellulite products:
- Nivea Goodbye Cellulite Smoothing Gel [GBP 9.95]
- L'Oreal PerfectSlim [GBP 10.95]
- Dior Plasticity [GBP 30.00]
- Sisley Celluli-Pro [GBP 85.00]
The results were lack luster and proved that price
is NOT an indicator of effectiveness.
The questionnare asked for feedback on: smell, texture,
smoothness, and whether it worked.
The Results
- Nivea [39/100] - participants claimed the skin was
smoother, with less dimples
- Dior [34/100] - texture of skin seemed better
- Sisley [31/100] - skin appeared smoother, but no
improvement in cellulite
- L'Oreal [27/100] - no real change in texture, and
didnt like the sticky feel of the lotion.
As you can see - hardly heart racing results for any
product.
Another Study by the Consumer Health Organisation claimed
their top 25 cellulite products. Price was definitately
not a good guidelines in these results either.
Top 25 Cellulite Products |
Source: ConsumerHealthOrg
Find more Cellulite Creams and User Reviews In Our
Antiaging Wellness Online Store.
Cellulite Treatments
A number of cellulite treatments are commonly used
in tandem with cellulite products, with the aim of assisting
absorption and removal of toxic waste.
Syneron - cosmetic laser treatment for cellulite, combining
mechanical, light, heat, and radio frequency energy
to the skin. Syneron claim success after a few applications
of their product.
Radio frequency - used to heat the skin and the fat
tissue underneath the skin. This procedure helps regenerate
the collagen in the area and makes the skin look younger
and more vital.
Other cosmetic procedures such as Mesotherapy and Endermologie
have produced inconclusive results. Each has been FDA
approved to temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite,
effectiveness varies by procedure.
All methods require continual follow-up to maintain
reduced levels of cellulite.
Liposuction, which extracts fat from under the skin,
is not effective for cellulite reduction and may exacerbate
the cosmetic problem.
Dieting does not get rid of the dimpled appearance,
but a balanced diet and exercise may help to reduce
the fat content within the distorted cells, reducing
their contribution to the dimpling.
Self-Help Cellulite Treatment
A few useful tips to help prevent and reduce cellulite:
Diet
- Include fresh and natural foods into your diet.
- Drink plenty of filtered or bottled water to avoid
dehydration.
- Limit the consumption of caffeine and alcohol.
- Avoid high fat foods.
- Get plenty of fiber.
Lifestyle
- Quit or cut down on smoking.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day
- Avoid non-essential medications.
Studies and Trials
Whilst user reports claim that many cellulite creams
and treatments are effective, studies claim "No
statistical difference existed" in morphologic
assessment of the body after 12 weeks of randomised
control trial with Endermologie (Collis N et. al. 1999
Sep;104(4):1110-4 Plast Reconstr Surg)
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