Information on Cellulite

Cellulite is a term used to describe the chain of wrinkled fat cells and subcutaneous connective tissue beneath the skin and which seems to be more prevalent in women than men; whilst some areas are more susceptible than others, most sufferers find they are affected in areas below the waist. Do not be fooled into thinking that this is a condition purely confined to women who are overweight because most carry additional fat anyway; this condition even affects slim women who have fewer fat cells.

Fat beneath the surface of the skin pushes against connective tissue causing it to give that dimpled look commonly known as cellulite. After many years of research, scientists still cannot determine the exact reason for its formation or why some are affected more than others but there may be some connection between toxins that enter the body and how certain fat cells store them.

Two components of the skin that decrease with age are elastin and collagen, both of which may be responsible for the increase of these fatty cells as women grow older. Women are more prone to hormonal imbalances as they age and the fat found in their thighs and buttocks where it forms is different to the fat in other areas, unlike men who rarely suffer with this condition.

It is not uncommon to only see the cellulite when the skin is pinched between the fingers at which pint it can normally be felt as well but it is a very common complaint amongst women. Just how much a person has will depend on a number of factors like, age, gender, genetics and even the thickness and type of skin they have will affect how easily it can be seen.

As medical science cannot prove conclusively what causes the problem, it makes it difficult creating a cure even though a number have been tried including special burning creams. Where cellulite removal massage is offered at a clinic, all that is done is deep tissue massage which just masks the affect so it cannot be seen as readily.

Perhaps the most drastic therapy is liposuction where fat is literally sucked from the body or the more expensive procedure of injecting certain chemicals in a process called mesotherapy. However, these are only temporary measures so do not provide permanent relief and liposuction is really only efficient for deeper based fats and not those close to the surface as with cellulite.

A number of cosmetic manufacturers claim their creams are an effective method of removing the fat cells but it would seem these are just a method of masking the condition making it less visible and so far no definitive treatment exists. Many people believe that the only realistic way to reduce the amount of fatty tissue a person has is to follow a controlled diet plan and exercise regularly which will gradually burn off much of the body fat including that found in the tissues of the thighs and buttocks.

Water too is useful as it has the effect of flushing out toxins that accumulate and are thought to be partly responsible for the cellulite; in addition to this smokers are urged to quit or reduce their smoking which is an effective way for toxins to enter the body.