Cellulite: 'I hate it!'

/Home/Cosmetic Laser Treatments/Cellulite Laser Treatment/Cellulite Reduction Treatment

Cellulite: 'I hate it!'
Proper diet, exercise can help weather 'hail damage.'
Published: 08.13.2007
SANDRA VALDEZ GERDES
Tucson Citizen

It may as well be a four-letter word.

Cellulite, that lumpy bumpy cottage-cheese or orange peel effect that occurs on the skin of the hips, thighs and buttocks, is definitely the black sheep of the fat family.


Those who have it will try just about anything to get rid of or hide it (even if that means wearing pants to the water park when it's 110 degrees outside).
The worst part is when those unsightly bumps and craters show themselves right through spandex exercise pants or peek out from under your shorts.
Egad! What is a person to do?

The good news is that if you have cellulite, you are not alone. It's estimated that 85 percent to 90 percent of women are affected by cellulite, as well as a small percentage of men.

American women last year spent millions off dollars on creams, laser treatments, massages and body wraps hoping to rid themselves of cellulite, so it's clearly a widespread problem. However, cellulite is harmless and therefore gets a bad rap, more so for being an ugly-duckling than for medical reasons.
"I hate it!" said Aubrey Gallardo, 23, who has noticed it on her thighs. "I have tried some anti-cellulite creams, but they smell really bad and they don't work."

She's not willing to try more expensive treatments for fear that they won't work. "I notice it on other people, but it only grosses me out when it's on me."

"It's a bugger," said Andrea Morken, 53, a master aesthetician at SkinHygienics skin care salon, 2626 N. Park Ave. "For 92 percent of us, it's a fact of life."
She has battled cellulite for many years, and recently visited the Center for Lymphatic Health in Santa Barbara, Calif., to sample a new protocol that consists of an eight-day lymphatic drain to treat cellulite.
It's more intensive but similar to the Manual Lymphatic Drain treatments she gives Tucson clients who want to rid their bodies of the impurities that worsen cellulite, she said.

What is cellulite?

So just what is cellulite, anyway? Simply put, cellulite is fat that is deposited in pockets just below the surface of the skin near the hips, thighs and buttocks.

Basically, fat cells increase in size and become trapped between collagen fibers that connect fat to the skin. The fibers stretch, break down or pull tight, allowing the fat cells to bulge out. This creates the rippled look of cellulite. Imagine the fibers are the stitching on a quilt and cellulite is the filling that puffs out between them.

The American Academy of Dermatology describes cellulite as the postadolescent body's natural way of storing fat in women to ensure the body has enough calories available for pregnancy and lactation.
Almost all women who are not severely malnourished have cellulite, AAD reports. Men do not have cellulite unless they have excessive estrogen and decreased testosterone production.

What causes it?

The causes of cellulite are thought to be a combination of factors, including genetics, hormone changes, stress, aging, diet, dehydration and muscle mass. Weight is not a determining factor. You can be slim and have a lot of it, or you can be heavy and have none at all.
Angie Brown said cellulite was never a problem for her until pregnancy, "and now I can't get rid of it," despite the fact that she now weighs less and exercises more.

"Yup, even when I was 214 un-pregnant, unhealthy pounds, I did not have cellulite," Brown said. "Then I got pregnant and at about five months, the cellulite developed on my upper thighs. I gave birth 4 1/2 years ago, lost 70 pounds on a strict low-fat diet and was stuck with the cellulite. I haven't tried any of the creams and lasers because they are expensive, and I haven't seen them actually work on anyone I know."

Genes play a big role in who gets cellulite, so if your mother and sister have it, chances are you do/will, too. However, there are many other things believed to make the condition worse such as poor eating habits, yo-yo dieting, nutrient deficiencies, sedentary lifestyle, poor circulation, drinking alcohol, and smoking.

Regular exercise, a healthy diet and lean muscle mass keep cellulite at bay for Holly Kirchberger. She said her mother, who eats a balanced diet but doesn't exercise, has never had visible cellulite, either.

Can it be eliminated?

There is no way to permanently get rid of cellulite, and you should be wary of anyone claiming they can do so.

However, there are many treatments that will temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite. But don't expect a quick fix. Even the most expensive treatments often require weeks before you see results. Maintaining a cellulite-free bum also requires a shift to a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Robert Ruiz, of Skinnovative, 4500 N. Oracle Road, offers a couple of treatments for cellulite. One is mesotherapy (a sort of injection cocktail) and the Accent XL radio frequency machine to target the connective and fat tissues.
"Cellulite is not fat by itself, it's a fat and a connective tissue problem," Ruiz said. His treatments have received positive feedback despite requiring several sessions.

And, he said, "it's not for overall weight loss. The ideal candidate is someone who is 10 to 15 pounds overweight and doing everything right, but with areas that are resistant. The fat is stuck or concentrated in a couple of areas."

Prevention

The adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" applies to cellulite control, according to Michelle Closs, a personal trainer with Fitness Together Dove Mountain 12130 N. Dove Mountain, Suite 124.

"The most beneficial therapy is getting rid of the stress in your life and focusing on diet and exercise," Closs said. "It has to do with the fat cells in body, and with better stress management, you will have better circulation. If you have a better flow, you're more efficient with exercising. Your cells will stay tighter.

"Naturally we'd all be at a cellulite Stage 1, because we're getting ready to have children and we need a little more fat on our bodies in certain areas, but with a horrible diet, more carbs, and excessive alcohol and fatty foods, it's easy to get to those second and third stages of cellulite."
She has seen cellulite diminished with a nutritious diet, stress management, exercise and weight training.

The bottom line is there are many factors within your control that can aggravate or diminish cellulite.

Factors

Hormones: Healthy, elastic skin depends on well-balanced hormones. This is why, during hormonal fluctuation of pregnancy and perimenopause, many women notice a sudden increase in cellulite. See your doctor to see what you can do to keep your hormones in check.

Lymphatic system: The lymphatic is the body's waste removal system. When it gets bogged down with "garbage" (toxins from cigarettes, alcohol, processed foods, excess fats, refined sugars and free radicals from oxidative stress), it creates the perfect environment for cellulite to form. Decreased circulation is also caused by lack of exercise, too much sitting, clogged arteries and nutrient deficiency.

Weight training: Exercise consistently and rigorously enough to promote the right amount of energy expenditure to keep one's weight and body composition in balance. Strength training ensures the development of cellulite-combating lean muscle.

Pilates: We have heard many good things about this style of yoga, and now it's considered Hollywood's anti-cellulite workout of choice. It is said to uniformly strengthen and stretch the muscles, sort of like ironing out the wrinkles.

Sunbathing: While self-tanners may conceal the appearance of cellulite, sunbathing can actually make it worse. The reason is that it damages and causes premature aging of the skin and breaks down collagen that helps keep the area firm and plump.

Treatments

Creams and lotions: "Miracle" creams and lotions are frequently marketed with claims of reducing the unsightly dimpling of cellulite. These topical "cures" contain a variety of active ingredients including: caffeine, green tea, plant extracts, retinol, aminophylline (an asthma drug), and the antioxidant DMAE. While creams may mask cellulite temporarily by hydrating and swelling the skin, no science exists support their long-term efficacy. Average cost: $10-$50 per jar.

Endermologie: Mechanical roller massage therapy to lift, stretch, spin and suck the skin improves circulation, flushes excess fluids and improves collagen production so skin is smoother. Treatments may produce temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite, but long-term results have not been established, clinically or scientifically. About $85-$125 per session.

Liposuction (aka body contouring): Forget about it. This technique of extracting fat by vacuuming it from under the skin is not effective for cellulite. Liposuction may worsen the appearance of the skin by sucking out the cushion of fat that resides just under the skin, leading to more dimpling.
Manual lymph drainage: A light, rhythmic, pumping massage technique that has the unique result of aiding in the elimination of lymph fluids without increasing blood flow. Also effective in reducing stress. About $80 per session, eight to 16 treatments.

Mesotherapy: Imagine Botox for the legs. Small amounts of homeopathic medicine are injected beneath the surface of the skin to break down cellulite, improve circulation and aid lymphatic and venous drainage. Swelling, bruising and soreness are common. There are no scientific studies to back up claims that mesotherapy improves the appearance of cellulite. About $350 per session, minimum three treatments.

Laser (radio frequency): Mechanical energy causes stretching of the fibrous bands to reduce the dimpling of cellulite. Fat cells are broken down and absorbed for a smooth appearance. About $600-$1,200 per session, minimum six sessions.

RENEE BRACAMONTE/Tucson Citizen