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Definition of Cellulite
Posted: August 8th, 2008 @ 9:20am
Source: http://www.to-betterhealth.com/definition-of-cellulite.html
It is interesting to note before we give the definition of cellulite that nearly two decades ago, The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) stated that there is no medical condition known or described as cellulite in this country.
Today many dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons recognize cellulite as a legitimate problem that patients seek to have them "cure," but most of the medical community still does not view cellulite as a disorder, but believe it is a normal condition for many women and men. Cellulite is not a medical or scientific term but refers only to aesthetics. The term "cellulite" was first introduced to us by a fashion magazine.
The definition of cellulite is the lumpy substance resembling cottage cheese that is commonly found on the thighs, stomach, and butt. Cellulite is actually a fancy name for collections of fat that push against the connective tissue beneath a person's skin, which causes the surface of the skin to dimple or pucker and look lumpy or have an orange-peel like appearance. Cellulite is unrelated to cellulitis, which is an infection of the skin and its underlying connective tissue.
Cellulite may be more visible than fat deeper in the body. Even thin people can have cellulite, because we all have layers of fat just below the surface of the skin. Collagen fibers that connect fat to the skin may stretch, break down, or pull tight, allowing the fat cells to bulge out. This creates the rippled look of cellulite.
Cellulite is most often seen in woman because the fat is arranged in large chambers separated by columns of collagen fibers. In overweight people excess fat is stuffed in these compartments causing them to bulge out. On the surface of the skin the bulging provides the dimply appearance of cellulite, especially in areas such as the hips, buttocks or thighs. Cellulite is predetermined by genetics and is not tied to obesity; it occurs in women of all body types, whether they are slim, normal or large. Factors such as hormones, pregnancy, and aging may all attribute to the weakening of the collagen fibers to give the cellulite appearance.
About 90% of women suffer from some degree of cellulite, ranging from just noticeable to severe. Unfortunately dieting or exercise alone will not influence your cellulite and cellulite does get worse with age if left untreated.
Do Cellulite Creams Work?
Some dermatologists and clinicians believe they do. One such practice conducted an abstract study wherein they used a "double-blinded randomized trial." This means that neither the clinicians conducting the test nor the subjects knew which of a particular topical agent they were testing. Twenty women with a moderate degree of cellulite on the buttocks and/or thighs were entered into a four-week, double-blinded, randomized trial where an anti-cellulite cream was applied to the affected sites on a nightly basis.
High quality digital photography was used to photograph them from different angles before and after four weeks of treatment. 17 of the subjects actually completed the study. Of those 17, 76% saw overall improvement in their cellulite. The dermatological evaluators found an improvement in 59% of treated legs.
Cellulite creams contains many powerful ingredients that stimulate the breakdown of fat and toxins stored in your subcutaneous layers. These are the layers of fat cells underneath your skin. This will then result in a decrease in the appearance of the cellulite and it could disappear completely depending on the severity of your problem.
Topical Treatments
Numerous products are available to consumers that are promoted in the area of "skin care products" and/or "thigh creams."
Some of the claims are:
- Increased collagen production.
- Strengthening collagen and elastin fibers.
- Cellulite reduction through cellular stimulation to release stored fat.
- Weight reduction through appetite suppression, increased metabolism, and fat burning.
- Reduced water retention.
There are a lot of cellulite products on the market, and most are not worth a thing! You might have already found out the hard way by spending a lot of money and receiving a product that simply does not work! In many cases the products advertised to remove cellulite are little more than skin moisturizers without any ingredients that actively combat cellulite.
