Get Savvy About Cellulite
by Laurel House
Orange peel skin. Cottage cheese thighs. Rippled dimples. Sacks of fat.
What’s a girl to do about cellulite?
According to Dr. Howard Murad, a board-certified dermatologist, associate clinical professor of dermatology at UCLA, author of The Cellulite Solution (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2005), and one of the preeminent authorities on skincare, cellulite affects over 90 percent of women. The unsightly skin condition is unbiased, affecting women of all shapes and sizes - even supermodels carry the jiggley stuff around. Misconceptions abound on what exactly cellulite is. The conventional consensus is that cellulite is a fat problem; therefore, dieting and exercise is the answer. The other theory is that cellulite is actually a collection of rogue toxins that can be loosened and flushed out through manual manipulation and detoxification. In reality, cellulite is a skin problem that involves fat. Consider the various layers of your skin. The top layer (the one you see) is the epidermis. Below that is the dermis (the middle layer of skin), which is separated from the underlying fat with connective bands of fibrous tissue made of collagen and Elastin. When the connective bands weaken (which happens because of genetics, age, circulation, and hormones), little sacks of fat are able to slip through the holes in the fibrous tissue and push up against the epidermis. This is cellulite.
The most common cause of cellulite is hormones (which is why men rarely get it). You also have your mom to thank, since genetics play a major role. Deirdre Habermehl, M.D., runs The Habermehl Aesthetics and Wellness Center, and confirms that, "Cellulite is not a condition of being overweight or old. A lot of women are young, thin, and have cellulite; there are also women who are very overweight and don’t have cellulite." Hormones and heredity may predicate the problem, which is then further amplified by age and environment. With the definition and origin determined, it is easier to figure out a cure. But, despite its prevalence, doctors have yet to find that definitive cure, though they have come up with some incredibly effective techniques to slow the occurrence, minimize the appearance, and strengthen slackened tissues.
Murad, founder of Murad skincare, says that, "Cellulite is a cosmetic problem, but more than that, it is a medical problem, a progressive condition that worsens as we age. It can be managed, but there is no cure." It is similar to other medical conditions in that, "If you have diabetes, you can manage it. If you have acne you can treat it. There is no cure for hypertension either. Those conditions are managed." Michael Omidi, M.D., and star of E’s Dr. 90210, is a broadly trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon who regularly sees patients who plead to have their cellulite cured (particularly during the summer months). But, admits Omidi, "Really, the only thing that can help prevent and fix cellulite is if you strengthen the fibers of the connective tissues and make it so that the fat can’t permeate into the dermis."
Prevention
Diet Certain foods and supplements strengthen connective tissues, repair cell membranes, and increase circulation. Each day should begin with a healthy breakfast to boost your antioxidant levels. Stay hydrated throughout the day with water, juice, fruits, and vegetables. Eat one or two eggs each week (including the yolk, which is filled with lecithin). Regularly consume raw fruits and vegetables. Snack on goji berries—a fruit that Murad considers to be as close to a "wonder food" as they come. The berry contains amino acids, trace minerals, and anti-inflammatories.
Exercise Exercise is also an essential component to a healthy lifestyle. But while it might encourage better circulation in the skin, it won’t specifically help cellulite. What it will do, however, is minimize the appearance of cellulite—if you are thin, there is less surface area.
Minimize sun exposure The UV rays from the sun destroy the cell walls and connective tissue, causing blood vessels to weaken.
Do things that make you happy! When you are out laughing, playing, and having fun, you are increasing your circulation, which can only help your anti-cellulite cause.
Murad suggests an inclusive approach to harnessing cellulite, which includes topical (in-office and at-home treatments), internal (a daily regimen of supplements, hydration, and proper nutrition), and emotional care (yoga, exercise). His belief system is based around, what he refers to as, the "Water Principle." This theory states that as we age our body’s ability to utilize the water that we ingest declines. Murad says that instead of settling into the cells and connective tissues, much of the water we drink either passes right through our system or it occupies vacant space between our tissues and cells causing our eyes to appear puffy, and ankles to swell. When cells are dehydrated, they are unable to function optimally, they weaken, and begin to deteriorate. When the lattice of bands that separate normal fat from the dermis begins to slacken, buoyant fat cells are more apt to permeate the vulnerable connective tissue, seep into the dermis, and push up against the surface layer of skin. When rehydrated, water is forced back inside the cells and connective tissue, the epidermis is strengthened, and cellulite is no longer a visible problem plaguing the skin.
At your Dermatologist’s Office
Mesotherapy Mesotherapy, a healing technique developed in the 1950s by French doctors, was initially used to treat chronic pain and sports injuries, then expanded to encompass facial rejuvenation. In recent years, mesotherapy has become known for its ability to ‘melt fat’ and erase cellulite. The treatment involves micro-injections of vitamins, herbs, homeopathic remedies, and pharmaceuticals in specific formulations. Some doctors firmly believe that mesotherapy is the be-all–end-all cellulite remedy while others find that their patients experience mixed reactions. Omidi started treating patients with mesotherapy five years ago, but stopped using it two years ago. He explains, "No one really knows how it works, but it does, and it helps dissolve fat. I stopped using it on my patients because we weren’t getting uniform results."
Endermologie Endermologie is essentially a deep tissue massage using a handheld motorized rolling device. Using suction and deep massage to lift and roll the skin in order to stimulate blood flow and the lymphatic systems, Endermologie increases collagen and elastin thereby eliminating toxins, minimizing fluid retention, and restoring connective fibers. Omidi agrees that Endermologie can minimize the appearance of cellulite, but he believes that the reason is an increase of fluid at the surface, creating the superficial improvement. "If you bring fluid to the surface of the skin it plumps the skin and irregularity, like cellulite or wrinkles, go away. Just like if someone has less wrinkles in their face and they use fillers to temporarily fill the space and plump the skin—but you aren’t really treating the cause of the problem."
Lasers. Though extensive studies have yet to be conducted, the use of lasers has been shown to help minimize the appearance of cellulite. Omidi comments that, "They are effective to reduce the appearance of cellulite, but they won’t get rid of it." Like other treatments, you have to be committed to two sessions per week for six weeks.
In June of 2005, VelaSmooth received FDA approval. Since then, many doctors and cosmetic surgeons have been providing the treatment. VelaSmooth uses bi-polar radio frequency and infrared light, in addition to mechanical manipulation to knead the skin and maximize heat penetration in order to deeply penetrate the dermis and break down the fat within the cells. TriActive uses a lower-energy laser and a skin-cooling mechanism, along with suction massage to stimulate circulation, collagen, and lymphatic drainage. Both laser treatments are said to reduce cellulite by 40 to 60 percent upon completion of the 12 sessions (at about $200 per session).
AT HOME
Nuxe’s Anti-Cellulite Cream-Gel
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