Register for Dermatologists shed light on treatments for cellulite
CelluliteSeptember 19, 2002
2002 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology's summer scientific meeting in New York, dermatologist Mitchel Goldman, MD, associate clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of California at San Diego, discussed four types of cellulite treatments - creams, mechanical massage, diet, and exercise - and whether any are effective at reducing the appearance of cellulite.
Cellulite is the body's natural way of storing fat in postadolescent women to ensure that the body has enough calories available for pregnancy and lactation. Almost all women who are not severely malnourished have cellulite. Men, on the other hand, do not have cellulite unless feminization occurs by excessive estrogen production and decreased testosterone production.
Typically, fat storage in women occurs in the buttocks and thighs due to estrogen production but can also occur in the inner knees, hips, lower abdomen and under the arms.
"To determine how much cellulite you have, all you need to do is pinch the skin of your thigh between both hands and it appears as a dimpling of the pinched skin," explained Goldman. "In very thin women, cellulite is only visible with pinching. But for the average woman, some degree of cellulite is visible without pinching and that can make her self conscious about wearing certain clothing in public such as shorts or a swimsuit."
In women, the presence of fibrous membranes between masses of soft tissue work to sequester fat into discrete pockets. These bands of connective tissue are oriented vertically and are anchored from the dermis to the deep layers of connective tissue that separate muscle from various structures and organs of the body. This structure allows the skin surface to dimple and become irregular with expansion of the fat chamber.
Creams
Since the first report in 1987 of the ability of topical creams to decrease cellulite, dozens of companies are now marketing cellulite-reducing thigh creams. Currently, no controlled studies have been conducted to test the effectiveness of individual ingredients in cellulite creams. When several of these ingredients are combined in one cream, it is nearly impossible to determine which individual ingredient is responsible for reducing the appearance of cellulite.
Mechanical massage
One well-known method that is marketed to temporarily improve the appearance of cellulite is the use of suction massage treatments, also known as endermologie. Endermologie was introduced in the United States in 1991 from France and is advertised to minimize cellulite. Endermologie may work by pulling the patient's skin upwards into a set of rollers under a low-pressure vacuum. This is thought to stretch the vertical connective tissue fibers resulting in a smoother appearance of the skin.
"Studies to determine the effectiveness of endermologie are ongoing, but results seem to vary by the number of treatments, the person's age and amount of body fat, hormonal influences, and diet and exercise," said Goldman. "In addition, studies are also currently being done to determine whether using endermologie following liposuction helps reduce cellulite."
Diet
Cellulite forms as a result of complex physiological changes, despite attempts to exercise regularly and follow a well-balanced diet. Since it is estimated that 80% of women have some degree of cellulite, even women who eat a low fat diet and maintain a normal weight are not immune.
"Foods really do not have an impact on whether a woman has cellulite or not," explained Goldman. "Even a woman who radically changes her diet from high fat foods to low fat foods would still have cellulite. Consumers should be wary of any diet plan that claims to reduce the appearance of cellulite - it is simply not credible."
Exercise
While healthcare professionals can't stress enough the importance of a well-balanced diet and regular physical exercise, the health benefits of exercise can also play a role in reducing the appearance of cellulite.
"If someone loses a lot of weight and exercises regularly to tone up, this person would likely find an improvement in cellulite," said Goldman. "It's important to remember though that results of exercising will vary from person to person, and the same is true about how exercising could affect cellulite. The best advice is if it works, stick with it." This article was prepared by Women's Health Weekly editors from staff and other reports.
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