Posts Tagged ‘Cellulite’
I have really bad cellulite on my bum and thigh area
Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
Q : I have really bad cellulite on my bum and thigh area. Is there anything you can suggest to make my skin smoother?
A : Cellulite is a rippling formation in the deeper layers of the skin, found predominantly in areas where fat is deposited. The fat cells are kept apart by a type of tissue called connective tissue. Certain foods and conditions cause this connective tissue to degenerate, pushing the fat cells together in an irregular shape and closer to the surface, forming cellulite !
Cellulite is divided into three groups:
1) Stage one – the skin is smooth looking until it is pinched.
2) Stage two – the pitting becomes visible on tensing the underlying muscle or on standing.
3) Stage three – the pitting is visible at all times.
Some recommendations to help combat cellulite:
Reducing the fat content in the body will reduce the fat layer under the skin and thereby reduce the cellulite effect.
Strengthening the muscles underneath the area where cellulite is prominent will increase blood flow and maintain or even repair the loss of connective tissue in that area thus reducing the fat stores as mentioned above.
Massage the area, both professionally and by the individual, will help to break down some of the fat conglomeration and also increase blood flow and support the connective tissue structure.
The herb Centella asiastica helps to restructure connective tissue and is the only botanical treatment with reasonable scientific evidence. Other herbs known to help include Aesculus hippocastanum and Fucus vesiculosis.
A compound called Cola vera that contains 14 % caffeine can be applied locally in a solution up to 1.5 %. However, caffeine taken orally is not recommended it has been cited to cause cellulite. So best avoid tea, coffee, caffeine containing canned drinks and chocolate.
Most cosmetic preparations are based on hydrating the area, which simply pushes water into the pitted skin causing it to swell and lose some of its unsightly appearance. Once you stop the problem will return in a few days !
For further information on Cellulite, treatment or plant extracts contact the Irish Centre of Integrated Medicine on 045 844 819 or e-mail info@icim.ie
