Cellulite is notoriously hard to get rid of, as it may not respond to diet and exercise. They tend to appear most in the hip and thigh area. Most women do have some cellulite, and it can cause many to feel very self-conscious when having to expose these areas. Magazines show women with absolutely no cellulite, even if it has been airbrushed out of the original photo. This may create an unrealistic expectation for women about how they feel they should look, and many look for some type of solution to achieve a more ideal appearance of skin.
There are many creams, spa treatments, massage regiments, and other products on the market that claim to cure cellulite, with no changes in diet or exercise. These products are heavily marketed to women who may have already tried everything to improve the appearance of cellulite. However, these cellulite creams don’t always work. They do not absorb to reach beneath the surface of the skin, which is where cellulite normally appears – between the muscle and the skin in tiny fat deposits. Though cellulite cream may claim to improve the appearance of cellulite by thickening the skin, these creams cannot reach deep enough into the skin to destroy the cellulite, and even if there is some temporary improvement of the appearance of the skin, the cellulite will always become visible again.
Two of the most common ingredients in cellulite creams are caffeine and retinol. Retinol is a form of vitamin A, and it is also used in many anti-aging creams on the market today. Most of these creams are supposed to work by thickening the skin so that the cellulite underneath is less noticeable. Though retinal is well-known to stimulate the rejuvenation of cells, which can help improve the appearance of the surface layer of skin, it has not been shown to have any effect on the appearance of cellulite whatsoever. Caffeine supposedly acts as a diuretic on the skin to draw excess water out, but this is unlikely to have any effect on cellulite either.
The result of using some of these products may be little more than redness or peeling. Those who use it may report some benefit, but it is very likely that it is a psychological effect of trying the cream rather than a real effect on the appearance of cellulite. If you choose to use cellulite cream, use caution to make sure that you do not suffer an allergic reaction or irritation. Though these ingredients could be effective if used in high enough doses, it is very difficult to formulate a cream that would be effective and at the same time would not cause serious irritation.
Though cellulite is made out of fat, it is on the surface of the skin and may not respond to weight loss. The best solution to feelings about cellulite may be to accept that it is perfectly normal, and it is possible to have a beautiful body, even with cellulite. Though it is tempting to keep trying every solution that promises lots of benefits, it is usually a waste of time and money.
Exercise may be the one thing that does work on cellulite, as it causes muscle underneath the skin to become firmer. Exercise also helps improve circulation and reduce levels of fat. Weight loss may not improve body composition (the ratio of fat to muscle and other tissue), but exercise does. Though it is hard to get rid of cellulite completely in women who are genetically predisposed to have it, exercise may significantly reduce its appearance.
Diana Chin
