Fact Sheet About Cellulite

Cellulite is defined as pockets of fat that are separated by subcutaneous 1 (a.k.a. under-the-skin) , which can take on the appearance of dimples or “pock marks” in the skin.

Some of the informal terms for cellulite (which are rather crude) include 2 cottage cheese thighs, orange peel skin, hail damage, the mattress effect, and dimple skin.

The main places where cellulite tends to emerge are the thighs, buttocks, 3 hips, and upper arms.

Cellulite has been somewhat of an elusive phenomenon to scientists, because 4 its exact causes are still largely unknown. It is generally believed that cellulite is the result of a combination of factors that include , , and changes in the levels of certain including , , , and other thyroid-manufactured hormones.

Diet is also commonly believed to be a major contributing factor to the 5 development of cellulite. This is far from a settled issue, but many researchers believe that improper diet can increase the amount of toxins and waste that develop just beneath the epidural layer of the skin. These toxins can become trapped within the connective tissue that resides under the surface of the skin, causing the tissue to harden and creating the dimpled look that so famously characterizes cellulite.

Women tend to be more concerned about developing cellulite than men, 6 although it is not uncommon for men to get cellulite as well. While the average women’s magazine (with airbrushed and retouched photos) would have you believe otherwise, most females develop some form of cellulite shortly after reaching puberty. Nearly 95% of all cellulite cases are women, but this is due to the fact that women generally have a higher body fat percentage than men. Women also naturally have higher estrogen levels, and the presence of this is considered to be one of the biggest contributing factors to the development of cellulite. One of the most often overlooked factors that contribute to the formation of 7 cellulite is the process of aging. One of the many things that happen as we get older is that the body produces less collagen, which is a natural protein that helps the skin retain its flexibility and elasticity. Since our connective tissue is comprised largely of collagen, any reduction in this vital protein can begin to affect the skin’s ability to stay resilient. As subcutaneous fat cells begin to put more pressure on these collagen-deprived connective tissues, they buckle, which creates a pronounced appearance of dimples in the skin.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to tell if you have cellulite is to do the 8 “pinch test”. Simply pinch an area of skin on your upper thighs, and if it looks like it’s pitted or dimpled, more than likely you’re dealing with cellulite.

There are several treatment options that people can use to help diminish the 9 appearance of cellulite. One of the most popular options is a practice known as Endermologie, which is a machine-assisted procedure conducted by a trained professional known as an endermologist (who would’ve guessed that?). During an Endermologie treatment, the endermologist uses a machine that applies motorized rollers to the surface of the cellulite-affected skin. These rollers gently fold and unfold the skin in order to provide increased blood flow and stimulation that is not much different than a deep-tissue massage. This treatment is intended to give the skin a smoother, more uniform look.

Ionithermie is another popular cellulite treatment. In this procedure, a small 10 hand-held machine known as an “ionic massager” is used to deliver low-level bursts of electrical currents through a special type of clay that is applied to the skin. Ionithermie is considered to be a “cosmeceutical” treatment, offering aesthetic as well as detoxification benefits to the skin.

Many naturopaths assert that the best way to get rid of (or at least diminish) 11 cellulite is by way of a combination of proper diet and regular exercise. Simple steps that are often encouraged include drinking lots of water (to flush out toxins), exercising (to promote good circulation and better muscle tone), and taking amino acid supplements that can foster the creation of essential skin-supporting proteins such as collagen and elastin.

Other treatments for cellulite include laser therapy (essentially “zapping 12 away” the cellulite), mesotherapy (skin injections that reduce cellulite dimples), and liposuction (a surgical procedure that literally “sucks out” fat cells in order to reduce dimpled skin). And who would have thought about a treatment option that actually works, i.e. essential oils - for a 100% all-natural treatment without any side effects.

For more information on essential oils and essential oil recipes for getting rid of cellulite, please refer to the following link: More information