Skin Care - Cellulite

The Basics About Cellulite

Cellulite can be considered to be many things.

However, most will agree that it is unsightly and embarrassing.

The good news is that cellulite, while not always preventable, is controllable if the cellulite sufferer is willing to undertake a few fairly simple, and specific, changes to diet and lifestyle.

WHAT IS CELLULITE?

Visually, cellulite is easily recognizable, so, most of us have no problem identifying it. When someone has cellulite, the skin texture and appearance tends to resemble the surface of an orange or, in more extreme cases, cottage cheese. It has a unique appearance and is pretty easy to spot, unfortunately.

Cellulite generally appears on one of three parts of the body: hips, buttocks, or abdomen.

Cellulite seems to be more common in women than in men, and, can vary in intensity from mild to extreme. Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not really a medical condition in itself. "Cellulite" is a very broad term used to describe the observable effect on the epidermis (upper layer of skin) of excess fat deposits stored just below the skin's surface.

CAUSES OF CELLULITE

Not common in younger years, cellulite doesn't generally appear until the years just before puberty. That's when a young woman's hormone levels go into overdrive, and, those hormones begin sending messages and instructions to various parts of the body signaling the beginning of many changes.

One of these changes which begins occurring at this time includes the formation of a layer of fat within an inner layer of skin, known as the "subcutaneous fat layer".

During the creation of this layer of fat, a patterned structure within this layer comes into being, the purpose of which is to contain stored fat. It is this framework for fat storage, shaped a bit like the letter "X" which creates the dimpling effect common to cellulite when too much fat is stored...causing the fat deposits to bulge.

This is how women experience, and exhibit, cellulite.

The pattern that's created in a man's body is different. In a man, the storage pattern is shaped more like a column, so, even when there's excess fat stored on a man's body, it's normally not visible in the same manner, lacking the "X" shaped dimpling common to a woman's skin.

Normally, natural levels of fat stored in this innermost subcutaneous fat layer, do not create the external dimpling associated with cellulite because there's enough space for all fat deposits. While every woman has the potential to develop some degree of cellulite, this will generally only occur when excess fat begins to accumulate.

CELLULITE TREATMENTS

While clothing can be used to cover the embarrassing appearance of cellulite, most people don't want to wear long pants all the time. There are cellulite treatments which can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars but, their results are seldom much different than many, simple home remedies for celluliate, and over-the-counter cellulite treatment products.

While some herbal treatments can help the cellulite treatment process, the most effective portion of any callulite remedy is going to include the old skin care stand-bys: exercise and diet. The fact is that the only way cellulite will become less noticeable is by somehow shrinking the size of the fat cells stored in the subcutaneous fat layer so they no longer bulge into the typical "X" pattern of cellulite which is the result, quite simply, of too much fat.

So, contrary to what the marketers of these hundreds of cellulite treatment creams, lotions, wraps, pills, and other procedures say about their products, eating a sensible diet that's built around fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and protein; which is also low in sodium and saturated fats, will help put your feet on the road to diminishing the appearance of cellulite.

Combining a moderate, regular exercise program with a nutritious, well-balanced diet is the key to cellulite treatment. Choose exercises such as walking or biking, which focus on the areas where cellulite appears. In a few months (or longer, depending on the severity of the cellulite problem) this embarrassing condition should no longer be a problem for you.

MASSAGE TO REDUCE CELLULITE?

In addition to diet and exercise, some believe that regular massage may help reduce cellulite because a good massage may help break down the stored fat deposits. However, while there are many health benefits to regular massage, and you will probably enjoy the experience, there is not a lot of deep research to back up the value of massage in reducing cellulite.

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