Cellulite creams, dietary supplements, massage treatments, laser or light therapy, mesotherapy, collegenase, cellulite diets and wraps are a few ways to help minimize or remove cellulite from those hips, thighs and butts!
Fat appears very differently in women than in men. It appears as dimples in areas such as; hips, thighs, and buttocks and is more common in women than in men. There is a difference in the way fat, muscle and connective tissue is distributed in women and men’s skin. Fat deposits referred to as cellulite, have a lumpy appearance and push to distort the connective tissues beneath the skin which lead to characteristic changes in the way the skin appears. Cellulite and Cellulitis are not related. Cellulitis is a condition known as the spreading of bacterial infection of the skin and tissues beneath the skin.
Despite the dimpled appearance of cellulite, it is considered to be a normal variant in normal human beings. A person’s genetics, gender, skin thickness, distribution of body fat, and age can all influence the presence and visibility of cellulite. Although cellulite does affect women differently than men, men can also be affected. Cellulite does not discriminate against race and can occur in people of all color, shape or size worldwide. Female hormones may play a role in the way cellulite is distributed in women but it is not treatable by hormone therapy.
Cellulite creams include chemicals known as aminophylline, carreine and theophyilline. They help break down fat.
Dietary supplements contain a variety of ingredients to include ginkgo biloba, sweet clover, grape-seed bioflavinoids, bladder wrack extract, oil of evening primrose, fish oil, and soy lecithin. These combinations of herbs and oils have a positive effect on the body by boosting metabolism, breaking down fats, protecting against cell damage, and improving circulation. There is no clinical data to support the effectiveness of dietary supplements.
Massage treatments have been used around the affected areas. Whole Melt Extracts Machines target problem areas of the skin and massage them inside a chamber. A common massage treatment is called Endermologie which was developed in France in the mid 1990s. 10-12 treatments are recommended before seeing results. Unlike dietary supplements, the FDA has approved the massage treatment of Endermologie.
The FDA has also approved laser and light therapy. This option combines light-therapy and suction or massage.
Mesotherapy involves treating cellulite with injecting drugs or other substances directly into affected area. This process needs more evaluation as to its effectiveness and safety.
Collagenase is an enzyme that is produced naturally in the body which breaks down collagen, a component of connective tissue. There were small studies conducted in women that were injected with this enzyme that resulted in improving the appearance of cellulite.
Cellulite diets have been used in treating cellulite. There is no data or studies to support the claims of effectiveness.