Cellulite is the dimply skin found primarily around the buttocks and thighs. Because of its appearance, it is often said to resemble an orange peel. Cellulite is caused by pockets of fat trapped under the skin, which create bumps and pitting.
What Is Cellulite?
Cellulite is not recognized as a medical condition, but is a cosmetic problem afflicting women rather than men. The additional fat that women carry around their hips is an evolutionary mechanism, which enables them to carry a child in pregnancy even if food is scarce.
Additionally, the influence of hormones and toxins in the blood as a result of ingested chemicals and preservatives in packaged food helps cellulite form. The skin has various layers, underneath which lie several layers of fat. The layer of fat around the buttocks and thighs differs from fat found elsewhere because the fat is stored in chamber-like structures surrounded by tissue.
Excess fluid, fat and toxins become trapped in these chambers and cause the characteristic dimpling.
Treating Cellulite
Cellulite can be treated by lifestyle changes. Drinking two liters of water a day helps flush toxins away, and eliminating processed and junk food reduces the lumpy look.
Dr Elizabeth Dancey, author of "The Cellulite Solution," suggests patients boost lymphatic drainage in the body by regular body brushing to encourage the dispersal of fluid from the tissues. She also advocates healthy eating and exercising to help the process further.
These measures may reduce fluid retention and increase circulation to help promote firmer and smoother skin.
Hydroderm for Cellulite
Hydroderm Body Shape is a treatment said to improve the look of cellulite. A topical cream containing a special serum, Hydroderm, according to its manufacturersm Hydroderm improves the look of cellulite by smoothing and toning the skin.
Hydroderm contains natural proteins and molecules of collagen that are claimed to penetrate the deepest layers of the skin to visibly shrink fat cells and rebuild collagen. A lack of collagen is responsible for slackened skin.
There does not appear to be any clinical evidence to support the efficacy of Hydroderm, although testers have remarked on its skin-smoothing abilities and have noted a difference in the tone and texture of the skin.
For those women who are concerned about the look and feel of their skin, Hydroderm may be an inexpensive and noninvasive treatment compared to medical procedures.
Other Treatments
Mesotherapy is a medical treatment involving a series of injections claimed to help shrink fat cells and smooth the skin.
Body wrapping provides temporary inch loss by wrapping the body in seaweed-soaked bandages to drain excess fluid.
Lymphatic drainage consists of using special oils and massage techniques to encourage the body to eliminate excessive fluid.
All these treatments are expensive and require a course of treatments to be effective.
Considerations
Overall, cellulite afflicts women of all shapes and sizes and is predominantly worse in those who are overweight and do not look after themselves. Cellulite may be reduced by eating healthily and exercising regularly.
Some salon treatments may complement lifestyle changes to reduce cellulite.The use of a toning cream such as Hydroderm Body Shape is an affordable alternative to salon treatments and may provide users with smoother skin with continued use.
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