Cellulite: A Woman's Biggest Fear!

The majority of women — at least 8 out of 10 — have some degree

 of cellulite.

Definition

Cellulite refers to the appearance of dimpled skin on the thighs, hips, buttocks and abdomen of most women and some men, too. Cellulite is most common in areas of fat deposits and is the result of the unevenness of this fatty tissue beneath the skin surface. It is not a serious medical condition, but cellulite can be unsightly, and it may make you self-conscious when wearing shorts or a swimming suit.  

Symptoms

Cellulite looks like dimpled or bumpy skin. It's sometimes described as skin with a cottage cheese texture.  Cellulite is most common around the thighs and buttocks, but it can be found on the breasts, lower abdomen and upper arms as well.
Cellulite ranges in severity: 

• Mild cases can be seen only when the skin is pinched. 
• More-severe cases make the skin appear rumpled and bumpy. 

Causes

Cellulite is caused by fibrous connective cords that tether the skin to the underlying muscle, with the fat lying between. As the fat cells accumulate, they push up against the skin, while the long, tough cords are pulling down. This creates an uneven surface or dimpling.

Factors That Increase The Risk of Having Cellulite 

1. Weight gain can make cellulite more noticeable, but cellulite may still be present in lean individuals
2. Genetics may play the biggest role in whether you develop cellulite.
3. Stress
4. An inactive lifestyle
5. Using hormonal contraceptives
6. Consuming too much caffeine
7. Wearing tight clothes that reduce lymphatic circulation

Treatments

1. Weight loss: 
   
   
   Losing weight and strengthening muscles in your legs, thighs, buttocks and abdomen can improve the appearance of the dimpled skin. The benefits of weight loss alone are limited, however. Though the cellulite may be less noticeable after weight loss, it won't go away completely.
2. Lasers and radio frequency systems: 
   They offer improvements to cellulite after a series of treatments. Results
   may last up to six months.
3. Liposuction:
   
   Though liposuction can shape the body, it won't remove cellulite, and it may make the cellulite appear worse. Laser-assisted liposuction is a newer, less invasive form of this treatment that destroys fat cells while tightening the skin, and may be a more effective treatment for cellulite.
4. Topical treatment: 
   
   A twice daily application of 0.3% retinol cream has been shown to improve the appearance of cellulite after six months.
5. Vigorous massage: 
   Some cellulite treatments are based on the concept that vigorous massage will increase blood flow, remove toxins and reduce excess fluid in cellulite-prone areas.You may notice a slight improvement to your skin after this treatment, but the results are typically short-lived. 
6. Mesotherapy:
   
   This procedure involves injecting a solution — which may contain a combination of aminophylline, hormones, enzymes, herbal extracts, vitamins and minerals — under the skin. This treatment can cause several unwanted effects, including infection, rashes, and bumpy or uneven skin contours. 
7. Cellulite creams: 
   
   In some cases, the ingredients in these products cause skin reactions or rashes.

The Anti-Cellulite Diet

Focus on a diet that focuses on a balance between the following groups: proteins, carbohydrates, fat and vegetables. 

Follow a healthy diet that includes all food groups with emphasis on portion control. As your diet becomes more complicated, your rate of compliance will decrease. 

Here are some good food items from each group:

Protein: salmon, tofu, oysters, white chicken, non-fat white cheeses.

Carbohydrates: black beans, chick peas, lentils.

Fat: flax seeds, macadamia oil, olive oil, Brazil nuts.

Vegetables: kale, chard, endives, red leaf lettuce.

And don't forget to EXERCISE!!!