Thursday, May 31, 2007
How can I get rid of the cellulite on my thighs?
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Cellulite Removal Treatments
The number of cosmetic treatments offered by medical professionals has increased over the past few years. Some treatment options are relatively new and the long term results are still unproven. However, many have shown promise. Here is a brief rundown of the options commonly used by today's medical professionals.
Mesotherapy involves injecting microscopic quantities of natural plant extracts, homeopathic agents, pharmaceutical agents and vitamins directly into the problem areas. Mesotherapy can target specific areas or spots where your body stores excessive fat. It is a quick procedure that required little to no recovery time.
Endermologie is also a common technique used to combat cellulite. It involves a specially designed device that promotes deep, penetrating whole body massage with the use of suction and rollers to stimulate the breakdown of stored fat and increase the body's circulation.
Newer treatments involving lasers & radio frequency are becoming more widely used.
The TriActive LaserDermology machine utilizes a low-energy laser to combat cellulite. Velasmooth uses Bi-Polar Radio Frequency and Infrared Light in combination with suction to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
As you can see, the treatments available to combat cellulite are increasing. It is advised that you consult your local cosmetic specialist to find out more info.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Cellulite Glossary
Cell: The basic structural and functional unit in people and all living things. Each cell is a small container of chemicals and water wrapped in a membrane . See the entire definition of Cell
Cellulite: Popular term for deposits of fat that have a cottage cheese-like or puckered texture. Medically, cellulite is not considered abnormal.
Circulation: The movement of fluid in a regular or circuitous course. Although the noun "circulation" does not necessarily refer to the circulation of the blood, for all practical purposes today it does. Heart failure is an example of a problem with the circulation.
Clinical: 1. Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients. 2. Applicable to patients. A laboratory test may be of clinical value (of use to patients). See the entire definition of Clinical
Connective tissue: A material made up of fibers forming a framework and support structure for body tissues and organs. Connective tissue surrounds many organs. Cartilage and bone are specialized forms of connective tissue. All connective tissue is derived from mesoderm, the middle germ cell layer in the embryo.
Cure: 1. To heal, to make well, to restore to good health. Cures are easy to claim and, all too often, difficult to confirm. 2. A time without recurrence of a disease so that the risk of recurrence is small, as in the 5-year cure rate for malignant melanoma .3. Particularly in the past, a course of treatment. For example, take a cure at a spa.See the entire definition of Cure
Disease: Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: The events that occur when a fetus that is developing normally is subjected to a destructive agent such as the rubella (German measles) virus.
Fat: 1 Along with proteins and carbohydrates, one of the three nutrients used as energy sources by the body. The energy produced by fats is 9 calories per gram. Proteins and carbohydrates each provide 4 calories per gram. 2 Total fat; the sum of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Intake of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can help reduce blood cholesterol when substituted for saturated fats in the diet. 3 A slang term for obese or adipose. 4 In chemistry, a compound formed from chemicals called fatty acids. These fats are greasy, solid materials found in animal tissues and in some plants. Fats are the major component of the flabby material of a body, commonly known as blubber.
Fats: Plural of the word "fat". See the definition of fat.
Female: The traditional definition of female was "an individual of the sex that bears young" or "that produces ova or eggs". However, things are not so simple today. Female can be defined by physical appearance, by chromosome constitution (see Female chromosome complement), or by gender identification. Female chromosome complement: The large majority of females have a 46, XX chromosome complement (46 chromosomes including two X chromosomes). A minority of females have other chromosome constitutions such as 45,X (45 chromosomes including only one X chromosome) and 47,XXX (47 chromosomes including three X chromosomes).
Food and Drug Administration: The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Public Health Service, which is a part of the Department of Health and Human Services. See the entire definition of Food and Drug Administration
Hormone: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs. See the entire definition of Hormone
Hormone therapy: A form of treatment that takes advantage of the fact that certain cancers depend on hormones to grow. Hormone therapy may include giving hormones to the patient or decreasing the level of hormones in the body.
Iodine: An essential element in the diet used by the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormones . See the entire definition of Iodine
Liposuction : The most common cosmetic operation in the U. S. with over 400,000 such surgical operations done annually, liposuction involves the surgical suctioning of fat deposits from specific parts of the body, the most common being the abdomen (the "tummy"), buttocks ("behind"), hips, thighs and knees, chin, upper arms, back, and calves. See the entire definition of Liposuction
Massage: The manipulation of muscle and connective tissue to enhance the function of those tissues and promote relaxation and well-being. Therapeutic massage can ease tension and reduce pain. Massage can be a part of physical therapy or practiced on its own. It can also be highly effective for reducing the symptoms of arthritis, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other disorders of the muscles and/or nervous system.
Metabolism: The whole range of biochemical processes that occur within us (or any living organism). Metabolism consists both of anabolism and catabolism (the buildup and breakdown of substances, respectively). The term is commonly used to refer specifically to the breakdown of food and its transformation into energy.
Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. There are three types of muscle in the body. Muscle which is responsible for moving extremities and external areas of the body is called "skeletal muscle." Heart muscle is called "cardiac muscle." Muscle that is in the walls of arteries and bowel is called "smooth muscle."
Objective: In a microscope, the objective (also called the objective lens) is the lens nearest to the object being examined whereas the lens closest to the eye is termed the ocular (the eyepiece). See the entire definition of Objective
Pill: In pharmacy, a medicinal substance in a small round or oval mass meant to be swallowed. Pills often contain a filler and a plastic substance such as lactose that permits the pill to be rolled by hand or machine into the desired form. The pill may then be coated with a varnishlike substance. See the entire definition of Pill
Placebo: A "sugar pill" or any dummy medication or treatment. See the entire definition of Placebo
Plastic surgery: The field of surgery concerned with reducing scarring or disfigurement that may occur as a result of accidents, birth defects , or treatment for diseases, such as melanoma . See the entire definition of Plastic surgery
Prescription: A physician's order for the preparation and administration of a drug or device for a patient. A prescription has several parts. They include the superscription or heading with the symbol "R" or "Rx", which stands for the word recipe (meaning, in Latin, to take); the inscription, which contains the names and quantities of the ingredients; the subscription or directions for compounding the drug; and the signature which is often preceded by the sign "s" standing for signa (Latin for mark), giving the directions to be marked on the container.
Sense: In biology and medicine, the faculty of sensory reception. The ability to convey specific types of external or internal stimuli to the brain and perceive them. Sensory reception occurs through a process known as transduction in which stimuli are converted into nerve impulses which are relayed to the brain. See the entire definition of Sense
Skin: The skin is the body's outer covering. It protects us against heat and light, injury, and infection. It regulates body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D. Weighing about 6 pounds, the skin is the body's largest organ. It is made up of two main layers; the outer epidermis and the inner dermis.
See the entire definition of Skin
Surgery: The word "surgery" has multiple meanings. It is the branch of medicine concerned with diseases and conditions which require or are amenable to operative procedures. Surgery is the work done by a surgeon. By analogy, the work of an editor wielding his pen as a scalpel is s form of surgery. A surgery in England (and some other countries) is a physician's or dentist's office. See the entire definition of Surgery
Therapy: The treatment of disease . See the entire definition of Therapy
Thyroid: 1. The thyroid gland. Also, pertaining to the thyroid gland. 2. A preparation of the thyroid gland used to treat hypothyroidism. 3. Shaped like a shield. (The thyroid gland was so-named by Thomas Wharton in 1656 because it was shaped like an ancient Greek shield.)
Tissue: A tissue in medicine is not like a piece of tissue paper. It is a broad term that is applied to any group of cells that perform specific functions. A tissue in medicine need not form a layer. Thus,
The bone marrow is a tissue;
Connective tissue consists of cells that make up fibers in the framework supporting other body tissues; and
Lymphoid tissue is the part of the body's immune system that helps protect it from bacteria and other foreign entities. source- medicinenet.com
Monday, May 28, 2007
So, what CAN be done?
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Lipo for cellulite?
Some doctors claim to be able to "break up" fat under the skin by using thin rods, but this technique is not accepted or established within the plastic surgery community and it may be associated with a worsened appearance or scarring.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Supplements and Massaage Treatments
Massage treatments: In the past few years, several machines have been introduced that massage the areas affected by cellulite. These machines use rolling cylinders to gather areas of skin and massage them inside a chamber. Again, no scientific studies are available to demonstrate the effectiveness of this treatment, which appears to redistribute fat rather than permanently alter its configuration under the skin. Other exotic, but equally unproven treatments include electrical stimulation of muscle cells and application of an electric current to the fat tissue itself.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
What are the supposed "treatments" for cellulite?
A low-fat diet: Eating in a healthy manner is always a good idea and a low-fat diet is usually recommended as part of a weight maintenance lifestyle. However, the notion that you can shrink a localized fat lump or smooth out a dimple by eating less fat makes as little sense when it comes to cellulite as it does when it comes to flabby thighs or "love handles."
Dietary supplements: Several of these products have been marketed and contain a variety of ingredients such as ginkgo biloba, sweet clover, grape seed bioflavinoids, bladderwrack extract, oil of evening primrose, fish oil, and soy lecithin. These preparations claim to have positive effects on the body such as boosting metabolism, improving circulation, protecting against cell damage, and breaking down fats. Such claims are difficult to evaluate as is the case with similar assertions made on behalf of many supplements and alternative therapies. Concepts such as "metabolism," "circulation," or "cell damage" cannot be easily measured on an objective basis to determine whether or not any improvement has been achieved. Additionally, because these products are sold as dietary supplements and not as drugs, they are not subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. They are therefore exempt from meeting the scientific standards for both safety and effectiveness that are applied to drugs.
Furthermore, there are no valid clinical studies to support the use of these dietary supplements for the treatment of cellulite. Studies that have been conducted have not demonstrated any value of these supplements.
For example, one product containing a mixture of herbs marketed as a "cure" for cellulite was tested to see whether it had any effect on cellulite, body weight, fat content, or the circumference of the thighs and hips. No beneficial changes were found when results of those taking the dietary supplement were compared to those taking the placebo (sugar pill). The only significant changes were an increase in cellulite and body weight in the majority of women who took the "miracle cure" product.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Cellulite is NORMAL
In other words, the dimpled appearance of cellulite is one way many perfectly normal human beings look. Just as some people have thick hair while others have thin hair and some have large noses and others small, some women have the smooth buttocks and thighs that everyone seems to want while others have less satisfactory, dimpled ones. These are all normal variations.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Cellulite and Surgery
Most physician-based treatments are surgical. Either fat cells are removed by various excision or suction techniques or/and the cells are redeposited in areas of dimpling so the contour looks more even. None of the surgical treatments are directed at fixing the underlying cause but merely fixing the result. Cellulite areas will recur as long as there is any excess fat deposition over the natural metabolic rate.
Friday, May 18, 2007
I do not agree with what he says
Are there any medical treatments known to actually get rid of cellulite?
The
medical literature does not support evidence that I could find of any topical
creams or ingested medicines or substances that get rid of cellulite unless
those treatments result in significant loss of total body fat. In those cases,
the dimpling from cellulite becomes less apparent but does not actually go away.
This observation must be tempered by the realization that medical science does
not seem to have studied this subject very rigorously, thus the room for many
"claims of cure" that cannot be refuted as well as they should be.
by Frederick R. Jelovsek MD
From what I have read, there are various techniques for getting rid of cellulite that have been approved by doctors.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Are women really more likely to get cellulite?
Yes, women are more predisposed to cellulite than men. The Rosenbaum study found that women have a much more irregular, discontinuous supporting skin matrix than men do so there is more opportunity for fat cells to extrude into the dermis area. To some extent this must be hormonally controlled through estrogens because most men are not as prone as women to cellulite but men who are given estrogens as treatment for medical problems are known to develop new areas of cellulite.
Fat distribution is different also in women and men. Women have more fat deposits under the skin but tend not to accumulate it inside the abdominal cavity; men seem to have less room for fat over their muscles and under the skin but they will accumulate much more excess fat inside the abdominal cavity. Regionally, women have a tendency for more fat deposition in the buttocks and thighs (gluteal/femoral areas) but that tendency only starts after a women's ovaries become hormonally active.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Stop cellulite. Forever.A simple three-pronged approach to reducing and preventing cellulite that is effective for women of any age, no matter how severe their cellulite problem is.
Dr. Murad offers the first definitive roadmap to help reduce dimpling and improve stretch marks that is actually backed by science. Readers who follow Dr. Murad's program will soon see "cottage cheese thighs" reduced and notice smoother skin all over.
This ground-breaking program outlines simple nutritional and lifestyle modifications, combined with topical treatments, which work together to provide the body with all the tools it needs to repair uneven, lumpy skin on its own.
Order The Cellulite Solution today and learn more about:
• Why cellulite is a skin problem, not a fat problem• Cellulite and stretch marks: causes and effects• How the Water Principle can reduce cellulite• 7 Cellulite Stoppers• 9 ways to repair cellulite
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Why treatments try to remove cells surgically
Most scientists really do not know what causes cellulite. They have studied fat metabolism and deposition and had many and varied findings. Most areas of fat deposits are the result of two factors
the number of fat cells - adipocytes
the amount of fat inside the adipocytes
Current evidence suggests that the original number of fat cells in any area of the body is controlled by one's original genetic make up. There are no factors or substances that increase the number of cells in a body region but rather they do not multiply unless the other fat cells get filled to capacity.
Occasionally there are reports that cellulite fat has more proteoglycans that lead to more water retention or that there are more or less receptors for various physiologic hormones or proteins, but it does not appear that these are the causative factors. Cellulite fat will respond to calorie restriction just as any other fat cell, but it is the stored fat that goes away; the cell is still present and can refill if calorie excess resumes. That is why most treatments of cellulite are directed at removal of the cells surgically.
Monday, May 14, 2007
What a study says
Ultrasound examination of the thigh showed a diffuse pattern of extrusion of underlying fat (adipose) tissue into the reticular dermis in individuals with cellulite, but not not in unaffected, individuals. Studies also demonstrated that women had a generalized pattern of irregular and discontinuous connective tissue immediately below the skin (dermis), but this same layer of connective tissue was smooth and continuous in men. They also found no significant differences in they way the fat tissue looked under the microscope, how it responded to fat deposition and resorption, or even regional blood flow between affected and unaffected sites within individuals. They did find there were structural characteristics of connective tissue below the skin that predispose women to develop the irregular extrusion of adipose tissue into the dermis, which characterizes cellulite. In other words, cellulite represents areas of a "break in the fence" where fat cells come into the skin area and the dimpling represents where the support structure of the skin (the original "fence") is still intact.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Look at the evidence
Very frequently, women (and men) make requests to doctors to prescribe a medication or treatment that will smooth out the contours of the body - eliminate cellulite. It presents a problem for the doctors who are not dermatologists, plastic surgeons or obesity experts because they are somewhat removed from the latest concepts regarding adipose tissue distribution and problems. Medical literature is fairly thin on this subject while the lay literature describes numerous questionable treatments that promise to rid the body of irregular appearing fat deposits. It is apparent that this topic - cellulite - has not been studied by medical science very much. It is perhaps time to look at what evidence does exist is on this subject.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
New cellulite treatments
Cellulite is the end result of a process which begins when the fat cell clusters located in the hypodermis become enlarged. As fat cells enlarge, they gradually apply pressure on the circulatory system causing the connective tissue to contract which pulls the skin down. The result of this push/pull effect is what leads to cellulite.
Acoustic Wave Therapy
Getting rid of cellulite just got easier with the help of Acoustic Wave Therapy. AWT eliminates the use of needles which in turn will not cause pain or bruising. This new technology from Switzerland uses pressure waves that pass through the skin and fat to impact the fibrous septae. The pressure breaks up the collagen of the septae and releases the skin resulting in much smoother skin. This revolutionary cellulite procedure consists of 6 treatments over a 3 week span with amazing results.
Endermology
Endermology is a specialized technique developed in France for the treatment in cellulite. This procedure is performed with a negative pressure message which kneads tissue in order to improve blood flow. For optimal results procedures should occur 2/3 times a week for up to 10 weeks.
Lipo-Dissolve
Lipo-dissolve involves injecting a natural enzyme, Phosphatidylcholine, into deeper areas of reserved fat. This treatment is a safe, non-surgical alternative to Liposuction.
MesotherapyMesotherapy involves small amounts of medication and homeopathic agents immediately beneath the surface of the skin to break down cellulite. This treatment stimulates the circulation in the mesoderm, which in turn breaks down the cellulite.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Tumescent Liposuction - Will it get rid of Cellulite?
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
BOOST your circulation!
Exercise is extremely important in aiding proper circulation. It firms muscles and the tissue surrounding the muscles.
Massage not only pampers, it also assists in fighting and preventing cellulite. Massage helps restore the body's natural tendencies by manipulating the muscles, and stimulating the circulatory and lymphatic systems that break down fatty tissue. Massage targets areas that are difficult to stimulate with good old exercise (such as the inner knee and upper thigh areas). Try simply massaging each leg in circular movements, kneading the flesh as you go, for a couple of minutes each day to break down fat and get rid of toxins.
Skin brushing using a massage brush or glove for a couple of minutes boosts circulation. Start at the feet, brushing the skin in an upward movement. Doing this daily before your shower helps revitalize and improve the skin's appearance.
Tension not only stresses the muscles, it also causes the connective tissue that covers the muscles to seize up. Tension blocks the tissue, preventing good waste elimination. Relaxation and breathing help the body relax and work properly. Proper breathing eases tension, oxygenates the body and helps with purification. -ivillage.com
Monday, May 7, 2007
Do cellulite creams really work?
Friday, May 4, 2007
Did you know that there are different kinds of cellulite?
Hard, or solid, cellulite usually occurs in women who are active (such as dancers or runners). Hard cellulite is difficult to get rid of because it doesn't lift from the body easily. It's also harder to see because it attaches directly to the muscle.
Soft cellulite is not as concentrated as hard cellulite and is much more visible. It occurs in large areas and, because it doesn't attach so strongly to the muscle, it's looser, often sagging from the body. The result is often poor muscle tone. Even though it's easier to spot, it's also easier to remove.
To test for cellulite, lightly pinch or press an area of tissue between your thumb and finger (or in a larger area, between the palms of your two hands). Normal fat appears fairly smooth, but cellulite will reveal dimples or ripples -- like the skin of an orange. Cellulite tissue is also more sensitive and can feel cold to the touch. It might appear whiter than the rest of your skin.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Quick overview of cellulite- according to Wikipedia
Descriptive names for cellulite include orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin, the mattress phenomenon, and hail damage. Synonyms include: adiposis edematosa, dermopanniculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis and gynoid lipodystrophy. It is unrelated to cellulitis, which is infection of the skin and its underlying connective tissue.
Between 85% and 98% of post-pubescent females display some degree of cellulite. There appears to be a hormonal component to its presentation. It is rarely seen in males. It is seen more commonly in males with androgen-deficient states such as Klinefelter's syndrome, hypogonadism, post-castration states and in those patients receiving estrogen therapy for prostate cancer. The cellulite becomes more severe as the androgen deficiency worsens in these males. Cellulite is not related to being overweight; average and underweight people also get cellulite.
While harmless, the dimpled appearance is a cause of concern for some people. The cosmetics industry claims to offer many remedies. There are no supplements that have been approved as effective for reducing cellulite. Cosmetic laser manufacturers, such as Syneron, claim success after a few applications of their products. Other cosmetic procedures such as Mesotherapy, Endermologie, & laser treatments have produced inconclusive results. While each has been FDA approved to temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite, long term results are unknown. Liposuction, which extracts fat from under the skin, is not effective for cellulite reduction. Dieting does not get rid of the dimpled appearance, but a balanced diet and exercise may help.
Cellulite has been found to be indistinguishable from ordinary fat in every medical and scientific test. It is not proven whether any cosmetic lotion, massager or pills can reduce/increase cellulite versus ordinary fat. The only known way to reduce the appearance of cellulite is to reduce overall body fat by altering diet or exercise, although it may remain visible even on very slim women.
There is no scientifically proven cause for cellulite yet.Many think salt intake may have something to do with it but has never been proven. Some theories point to stress, and diet as potential causes, or at least aggravators. Some theories present rather outrageous claims for cellulite too. There is at least one case where it was pointed out that improper nutrition causes waste materials to accumulate, clog up and turn into fats. Claims like these are physiologically impossible because waste materials like carbon dioxide, urea etc. cannot turn into fat.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Why not check it out?
Some women find diet supplements helpful in controlling cellulite. "I'm on
the Herbalife program right now and I have noticed a big difference in the way
my skin is," says iVillage Beauty member juliajewel.
"It is much softer feeling and the texture is a lot smoother, too." Hear what
other women are saying about cellulite by visiting our Cellulite and Hair
Removal message board.source-ivillage.com
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Wanna know what causes cellulite?
Heredity, but unlike the strength of your nails or the color and texture of your hair, you can do a lot to fight cellulite.
Insufficient water intake. Water helps the waste system operate, flushing toxins from your body. Drink seven glasses of water a day.
Diet. Poor eating habits (alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods) contribute to the formation of cellulite because the toxins they produce get trapped in the fatty tissue. And despite what you've heard, crash diets don't work to fight cellulite. In fact, crash diets increase the risk of cellulite because the body thinks it's starving and by attempting to compensate, it assists in cellulite formation. All saturated fats help build cellulite. These fats block the arteries and get trapped in the tissue as well, preventing sufficient waste and toxin elimination.
Smoking is not only bad for the skin and lungs, it also weakens the skin due to the constriction of capillaries. It further damages the connective tissue that causes the dimpling effect of cellulite, too.
Tension and stress can cause a muscle to seize up in pain; they can also cause the connective tissue that covers that muscle to seize up. Tension also blocks the tissue, preventing proper waste elimination and purification.
Medication can disturb the body's natural processes, disturbing the purification system that is naturally in place. Diet pills, sleeping pills and diuretics can all lead to cellulite; oral contraceptives, which increase the body's estrogen, cause fat cells to enlarge, leading to water retention. Retaining water inhibits the body from flushing the system of toxins, leading to the formation of cellulite.
Lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the formation of cellulite. Exercise decreases many health risks and also helps fight cellulite. It improves muscle tone, circulation and overall well-being, helping to break blocked tissue and purify the body.