Cellulite is considered both a disease and a mild condition in which there is an uneven layer of fat, fluid and connective tissue primarily around the thighs, buttocks and waist. It is gender- and hormonal-specific in that it occurs almost exclusively in women---but only after puberty has been reached. As many as 80 percent of women experience some degree of cellulite depending on genetics, hormones, diet and lifestyle. Cellulite causes confidence and self-esteem damage to many women, so effective treatments are in huge demand. Most treatments are ineffective in permanently eliminating cellulite. Three tips for effectively treating cellulite are lymphatic drainage, caffeinated creams and radio and light therapy.
Lymphatic Drainage
Clinical research into the causes of cellulite has pointed towards hormonal factors that result in the poor circulation of body fluids in between fat cells. Estrogen causes the fat cells around the thighs, buttocks and waist to swell. This results in restricted fluid pathways between the fat cells. The lymphatic system is unable to adequately drain existing fluid, which causes the swelling that results in the appearance of dimpled skin. In the August 2009 issue of the "Journal of Open Cardiovascular Medicine," Dr. Jose Pereira de Godoy and associates found that through massage-induced lymphatic drainage, nearly all patients' cellulite was eliminated for as long as eight years after treatment.
Caffeinated Creams
Nearly all existing topical creams aimed at reducing cellulite contain some form of caffeine or its derivatives. Some natural-remedy proponents suggest simply mixing fresh coffee grounds with lotion and applying it directly to the affected area. The theoretical mechanism behind caffeine's effectiveness lies with its dehydrating and fat-burning properties. Caffeine is hydrophobic, and wherever it is applied, the fluid will be pushed out of the effected area. Caffeine also inhibits additional fat to be deposited into existing fat cells, resulting in the existing fat to be burned up. In the May 2007 issue of the "Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology," Dr. Omar Lupi and associates found that caffeinated creams significantly reduced thigh circumferences in more than 80 percent of women and hip circumferences in 67 percent of women.
Radio and Light Therapy
Dermatologists have employed the use of selective radio frequencies and infrared light to help the effected area with circulation, fat storage and skin tightening. In the August 2006 issue of "Lasers in Surgery and Medicine," Dr. Tina Alster and associates found that the radio frequency and light therapies work in different and unique ways, and when combined they are exponentially effective. Selective mechanical massage induces lymphatic drainage, and radio frequency and infrared light produce new collagen, collagen contraction, skin tightening and targeted inflammation. In addition, Alster noted that the treatments were effective with around 50 percent of the participants and that the results lasted as long as six months.
References
- "Journal of Open Cardiovascular Medicine": Physiopathological Hypothesis of Cellulite
- "Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology"; Evaluation of the Effects of Caffeine in the Microcirculation and Edema on Thighs and Buttocks Using the Orthogonal Polarization Spectral Imaging and Clinical Parameters; Dr. Omar Lupi; May 2007
- "Lasers in Surgery and Medicine": Treatment of Cellulite With Optical Devices: An Overview With Practical Considerations
- "Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology"; Effects of Caffeine and Siloxanetriol Alginate Caffeine, as Anticellulite Agents, on Fatty Tissue: Histological Evaluation; Dr. Maria Velasco; January 2008
- TriPollar: Combining Uni-Polar and Bi-Polar Radio Frequency Therapy to Treat Cellulite
Member Comments