Home remedies and other treatments for cellulite may appeal to those anxious to rid themselves of the dimpled appearance of their lower body. Cellulite may not be a cause for medical concern, yet for some individuals, getting rid of this skin condition is imperative. A 2006 study published in the "International Journal of Cosmetic Science" estimates that up to 85 percent of women will have some form of cellulite. Consult your doctor before using any dietary supplements to treat cellulite or before beginning any exercise regimen intended to diminish its appearance.
What Is Cellulite?
Cellulite gives the skin on various parts of the body a distinctive cottage-cheese appearance; the condition is caused by the structure of fibrous connective cords and fat beneath the skin. Even lean women may develop cellulite at some point during their lives; cellulite is rarely seen in men. The degree of cellulite will vary depending upon how active you are and its relationship to fat accumulation. The Mayo Clinic explains that it will be most evident on your thighs, hips and buttocks.
Causes
Like other factors determining body composition such as frame size and height, genetics plays a role in the development of cellulite. Hormonal influences from contraceptives may also increase your chances of developing this unsightly skin condition. While you can control your risk to some degree, for the most part genetics are the determining factor, the Mayo Clinic notes.
Exercise and Weight Loss
Exercise and weight loss may improve the appearance of cellulite, but will not eliminate it. Exercise can help by reducing the amount of fat in your body. You may think that you will have to engage in hours of punishing exercise, but a 1995 study in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association" found that fat loss was identical whether you burn off 300 calories walking an hour or jogging for half that time. The calorie burn determines how much fat you will lose.
Other Treatments
Home treatments for cellulite are available on the market. However, a 2004 study published in the "Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy" found that the evidence supporting most home remedies were anecdotal rather than scientific proof. One remedy is emerging as a possible short-term treatment for cellulite. A study whose results were published in 2010 in the "Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology" found that massage reduced the appearance of cellulite by thinning the layer of fat.
Prevention/Solution
Because of the genetic factors, there may be no way to prevent cellulite, explains the Mayo Clinic. While weight loss may help, a study published in 2006 in the journal "Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery" found mixed results. While you may not prevent it, you can improve your skin tone through exercise targeting the large muscles of your lower body. This improvement in your physical fitness can also help you maintain a healthy weight --- a desirable side effect regardless of the impact on cellulite.
References
- "International Journal of Cosmetic Science"; Cellulite and Its Treatment; A.V. Rawlings; June 2006
- Mayo Clinic: Cellulite
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Exercise Intensity Does Not Effect Body Composition Change in Untrained, Moderately Overfat Women; M. Grediagin et a.l; June 1995
- "Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy"; Cellulite: A Review of Its Physiology and Treatment; M. Avram; 2004
- "Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology"; Effects of Mechanical Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Connective Tissue Manipulation Techniques on Fat Mass in Women with Cellulite; T. Bayrakci et al.; February 2010
- "Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery"; Effect of Weight Loss on Cellulite: Gynoid Lypodystrophy; L. Smalls et al.; August 2006
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