Six Common Cellulite Treatments

Cellulite is not a pretty word, is it? Although it seems to imply a medical condition, it is really just a simple term for the lumpy fat that causes bumpy, dimpled skin. Nearly 80 percent of all women report having cellulite. Some men have it, too, but the condition is less common in males.

Cellulite typically appears on the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and arms. These fatty deposits can develop in thin bodies, as well as overweight ones. In fact, body weight has nothing to do with the condition.

The fat that produces cellulite and the fat that causes weight gain are not the same. The fat that changes a clothing size lies close to the bones, and the body burns it as fuel for energy. Cellulite consists of fat cells within the skin, so conventional weight-loss treatments (diet and exercise) cannot help with cellulite reduction.

Cellulite's cause is not the fatty deposits themselves, but the connective tissue between the skin and muscle. As fat cells accumulate and expand, they push against the skin. At the same time, the fibrous cords of connective tissue pull the skin down. The result is uneven, lumpy, dimpled skin.

Cellulite is an overwhelmingly female problem. Doctors are unclear why, but anatomy and hormones seem to play key roles. While cellulite is not a harmful condition, it is an unsightly one. Women who are self-conscious about their appearance will try nearly anything to rid their bodies of cellulite.

Most cellulite treatments reduce the appearance of cellulite rather than remove it. A number of treatment methods promise remarkable results. But are cellulite treatments as effective as they claim? More important, are they safe and healthy? To answer these questions, here is a short overview of six common cellulite treatments.

Do you struggle with cellulite? How has it affected your body image? What cellulite treatments have you tried, and which ones would you consider? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Cellulite creams and lotions are the easiest, and least expensive, solution to the cellulite problem. Topical cellulite treatments are formulated to stimulate circulation, melt fat, move fluids, and remove toxins.

Many lotions and creams merely soothe, soften, and hydrate the skin. Most are ineffective for removing cellulite.

However, specially formulated products -- retinol (Vitamin A) creams and methylxanthine (caffeine) creams -- have been shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite over time. These treatments are said to produce visible skin improvement in about eight weeks.

Several companies produce cellulite creams and lotions, and some products are better than others. According to the latest online customer reviews, Finulite products take the lead.

Because cellulite is a skin problem and not a fat problem, dieting alone will not fix the problem. But weight loss is still a smart approach to cellulite treatment. Dropping pounds and toning muscles can reduce cellulite for firmer, smoother-looking skin.

Foods that contain lecithin, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, amino acids, and other skin-healthy nutrients offer numerous benefits. They increase circulation, reduce fluids and cellular inflammation, and keep cellulite from moving to the skin's surface.

Dr. Howard Murad, a board-certified dermatologist, outlines a healthy skin diet in The Cellulite Solution. He recommends foods that improve circulation and encourage collagen production. For example, eggs, soy, and peanut butter are healthy choices for lecithin. Olive oil, flax seeds, and raw nuts are recommended for their essential fatty acids. And berries, pomegranates, and citrus fruits are good sources for amino acids and antioxidants.

Murad also recommends high-potency dietary supplements, an herbal skin serum, and exfoliation treatments. Combined with a skin-healthy diet, this regimen is a safe and healthy treatment option for cellulite reduction.

Approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), endermologie is a proven treatment for temporary cellulite reduction. This mechanical massage process uses cylindrical rollers and gentle suction massage to affect the connective tissue beneath the skin.

Endermologie stimulates the flow of blood and lymphatic fluids, while it triggers fat removal from the cells. The treatment is safe but expensive, and several treatments are required for long-lasting results.

Personal massagers, body scrubs, and cellulite lotions offer temporary relief for cellulite problems -- and at a much lower cost than professional massages or endermologie treatments. Women can purchase these products in stores or online. Skin QR Organics, another popular choice among online shoppers, incorporates organic and natural ingredients in their cellulite treatment products.

Light devices are the most promising medical treatments for cellulite reduction. Two popular systems -- TriActive and Velasmooth -- treat the problem at the cellular level.

TriActive uses three mechanisms to reduce cellulite and smooth the skin -- a cooling system, low energy lasers, and suction massage. The Velasmooth device combines radio frequencies and infrared light with mechanical and suction massage.

Both TriActive and Velasmooth are FDA-approved devices. The non-medical TriActive device is popular among doctors, estheticians, spa therapists, and other skin care professionals. Due to its high energy levels, Velasmooth is classified as a medical device for physician use only.

Dermatology studies reveal that light therapy is effective for more than 80 percent of patients. But this cellulite treatment is not cheap. Sold as a series of treatments, the procedure can cost $2,000 or more, for results lasting about six months.

Some women turn to surgical lipolysis to solve their cellulite problems, but liposuction is an ineffective solution. In fact, liposuction may actually make cellulite worse. The popular cosmetic procedure removes fat cells, but not from the areas affected by cellulite.

Laser liposuction, or SmartLipo, is a less-invasive form of liposuction. This new procedure uses laser technology to reduce smaller, localized fat deposits beneath the skin. The laser energy changes the fat into an oily substance, which is then absorbed into the body's lymphatic system.

Surgical and laser liposuction are expensive procedures (SmartLipo can cost as much as $5,000). As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications. Regarding cellulite removal and reduction, other treatment methods are probably better options.

Mesotherapy rounds out the list of common cellulite treatments. This French-imported homeopathic treatment blends vitamins, herbs, and off-label drugs that are FDA-approved for other purposes.

Formulated to dissolve fat cells and septa bands in the skin, the "medical cocktail" varies among mesotherapists. Several injections, over the course of many sessions, are required for long term results.

The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) cautions doctors not to experiment with mesotherapy until more is known about the treatment. Medical experts question its ability to dissolve cellulite, and its impact on the liver and other body organs are still unknown.

© Annette Smith. All rights reserved.

• ASAPS staff. (2004) "Fat-Melting Fad: Too Good To Be True?" American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
• Bouchez, Collette. (2005) "Can You Beat Cellulite?" WebMD Medical Reference. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2011) "Cellulite." Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
• Rawlings, A. V. (2006) "Cellulite and its Treatment." International Journal of Cosmetic Science. Retrieved November 8, 2011.

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