The desire to rid the body of cellulite is common for many women. The undesirable cosmetic concern arises when fat, waste materials and fluids become compressed underneath the skin. These fat cells push themselves through the lower layers of skin, causing a dimpled appearance to form. Cellulite can appear on the legs, arms, buttocks and belly. These body parts possess a high retention rate for fat and low blood circulation. Combining these two factors makes it so the excess fluids and waste are not easily carried by the bloodstream or lymphatic system, making cellulite formation likely.
Cellulite isn’t fun. There’s no doubt about it. The cosmetic concern can be damaging to an individual’s self-esteem. Although cellulite is a concern, it’s a common one, and it’s so common that a lot of myths have developed surrounding it.
But here are ten facts about cellulite to help put your mind at ease if you struggle with the cosmetic issue.
1. Nearly everyone has cellulite to some degree
While the media portrays smooth, flawless skin as the norm, this is hardly the truth. The truth is – nearly 90 percent of women have cellulite, and the condition often develops after puberty. So even though there is an obvious stigma against cellulite because every media outlet tries to shield our eyes from it, understand it’s far more common than you realize. You are not alone.
2. Cellulite is not a weight issue
It’s common to think cellulite is related to your weight. After all, the issue does become apparent because of fat cells. But when you consider that it’s prevalent in nearly 90 percent of women, it’s clear that there’s no correlation between cellulite and being overweight. While being overweight can increase the presence of cellulite because the excess fat causes the skin to stretch, there are many other factors that contribute to its development. These factors include genetics, hormones and age. So, you will be sorely disappointed if you’re trying to rid yourself of cellulite by losing weight.
3. Creams won’t reverse signs of cellulite
That’s right – none of those creams that claim to reverse signs of cellulite are doing you any good. Even those creams that cost a pretty penny (yes, even those 100$ creams). Applying a cream regularly isn’t do you any good because the condition is caused for various reasons that a simple cream solution won’t cure. These issues, including hormonal imbalances, bad circulation and thinning skin, won’t be fixed by a cream. So, it’s best to save your money and spend it elsewhere.
4. Women are more likely to have cellulite than men
Men don’t have to worry about periods and are less prone to stretch marks. Now, you know they’re less likely to develop cellulite (why are they so lucky?). Only about 10 percent of men will develop cellulite. The concern is less likely to develop for them because they have lower estrogen levels, which impacts the integrity of the skin, making it more likely to show in women.
5. Exercise helps improve the appearance of cellulite
Exercise helps everything. From mood to weight, it’s no wonder that exercise improves the appearance of cellulite. There are two reasons this is the case. The first is that exercise builds muscle, making the undesirable ‘fat pockets’ smaller and less visible. The second reason is that exercise promotes lymphatic drainage and also decreases the amount of fluid accumulated where cellulite is present, causing your skin to look smoother.
6. Your lifestyle may be causing cellulite
While cellulite can develop for reasons beyond your control, such as genetics and age, it’s important to know that your lifestyle can also contribute to its development. Smoking, eating salty foods, sitting too long and wearing tight jeans… these are all factors within your control that can potentially lessen the presence of cellulite. So, take the necessary steps to improve your lifestyle, and your skin will thank you.
7. Liposuction is not a treatment for cellulite
While it may seem logical that liposuction will help fix cellulite because it involves the removal of fat, it won’t. Liposuction is meant to remove fat deposits, so it won’t affect the fat lumps found between the muscle and skin that are creating cellulite. In fact, liposuction can worsen the appearance of cellulite because it removes support for the skin.
8. The sun’s UV rays cause you to have more cellulite
It’s simple – sun exposure worsens the appearance of cellulite. The UV rays from the sun increase the chance of developing wrinkles and sunspots, and the dreaded cellulite. This happens because UV rays weaken and damage elastin and collagen fibers in your skin, negatively impacting its structural integrity.
9. There are some at-home remedies that may help improve your cellulite
There are several ways for you to improve your cellulite, all from the comfort of your home. Something as easy as taking a cold shower can help because it stimulates your body’s natural circulation, meaning excess waste and fluid stuck between your skin can be flushed out. Give coffee scrubs a go if you’re not too much of a fan of cold showers. This helps stimulate lymphatic drainage and can also temporarily tighten your skin, making cellulite less noticeable.
10. There is a nonsurgical option available to treat cellulite
A special treatment exists to help significantly improve the appearance of cellulite: EMTONE. This unique treatment combines the power of thermal monopolar radiofrequency technology with pressure wave therapy. The radiofrequency technology effectively targets connective bands resulting in cellulite, and tightens them while the pressure wave therapy helps massage the skin to improve circulation. By the end of this treatment, you can reduce your cellulite by 93 percent – all without surgery, anesthesia and even downtime.
If you are a resident of South Jordan, UT, or surrounding communities and are interested in learning more about EMTONE, please contact Lucienne Salon & Medical Spa. Please schedule a consultation by clicking here or giving us a call at 801-280-9990.