Cellulite - Myth or fact?
We read a lot of things about cellulite but how much of what we read is actually true? It can be hard to separate the myths from the facts and find out what is really going to make a difference to your cellulite, so here I have dispelled some of the most common myths surrounding cellulite.
Only overweight people get cellulite. MYTH
Being overweight can make the appearance of cellulite more noticeable, having excess fat is likely to put more stress on the connective tissue and bulge into the weak spots. However, cellulite can happen to women of all shapes and sizes. Some people can be lean, eat well and exercise often but they will still have cellulite. This is most likely due to their genes and the connective tissue in their body.
Exercise can reduce the appearance of cellulite. FACT
Although it is true that exercise can help get rid of cellulite it does not guarantee that fit people have no cellulite at all. Stretching and firming the areas affected by cellulite can help burn away the excess fat overall and make the cellulite less noticeable but exercise is in no way a cure.
Liposuction will get rid of my cellulite. MYTH
If you think liposuction is the answer to your cellulite then you’d be wrong. Lipo can make fat distribution more uneven, potentially making its outwards appearance worse. Another suction-like (but non-surgical) procedure that has been known to help is Endermologie. During this procedure a suctioning device surrounded by rollers are run along the skin, pulling and squeezing problem areas for about 30 minutes. You would need approximately 10 sessions to see visible results.
Skin-firming creams can cure cellulite. MYTH
Despite what they say on the labels no skin-forming cream can cure cellulite completely. They can have a measured effect in reducing the appearance of cellulite but cannot cure it completely. Studies have found that creams containing retinoids (retinol) can provide temporary effects by thickening skin and reducing the dimpled appearance. Creams with ingredients like caffeine, chilli or ginger can have an overall slimming effect which can again reduce the appearance but cannot cure it.
Cellulite runs in your genes. FACT
Sadly yes it does. If your mother or grandmother have cellulite then it is more than likely that you will too. However, it is not the only factor that affects cellulite. Having a bad diet, lack of exercise routine and not maintaining a healthy weight will also affect the appearance of your cellulite.
Cellulite gets worse with age. FACT
Hormones play a big part in the appearance of cellulite. As women get older they produce less oestrogen, which keeps blood vessels flowing smoothly. Lower levels of oestrogen can cause you to have poor circulation, which can mean a decrease in new collagen productions and the breakdown of older connective tissue.
Cellulite is caused by toxins in your body. MYTH
Many over the counter creams and treatments claim to break down the toxins in your body to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. This simply isn’t true. Cellulite is caused by the connective tissue between the muscle and the fat deposits in your body, not by the amount of toxins you have in your body. Having excess fat, poor circulation and a lack of muscle tone can all contribute to the appearance of cellulite but it is in no way caused by the toxins that are in your body.