Your Concerns
Cellulite
Ninety percent of women have cellulite, even those that are very physically fit (think J. Lo and even Nicole Kidman).
Learn About Cellulite
What’s the one thing that most women have in common with supermodels and supercelebs like Sharon Stone & Victoria Beckham? The exercise- and diet-resistant dimples that appear on our thighs and buttocks—cellulite (too bad the answer’s not David Beckham!).
Cellulite is a common term used to describe superficial pockets of trapped fat, which cause uneven dimpling, “orange peel” or cottage cheese skin.
Here’s how it plays out: Underneath the epidermis and dermis exists three fat layers. Cellulite develops in the most superficial of these layers, known as the subcutaneous fat layer. This layer is structurally unique from the others because its fat lobes are organized into chambers by surrounding strands of fibrous connective tissue.
In a woman’s body, these fibrous bands are vertical, which allows for an abundant storage of fat plus causes the skin to be pulled inward toward the body’s interior. The fat that surrounds these fibers pushes up through the bands, which results in the puckering and bulging we identify as cellulite.
Need another reason to put your husband on the couch tonight: Men are rarely affected by cellulite because their connective tissue develops in a different, diagonal pattern, which not only stores smaller quantities of fat but blocks the fat from protruding.
Because cellulite is influenced by hormones, genetics (how does your mom look in shorts?) and the aging process that causes skin to thin and allow the bumps to be more visible, it is a chronic condition that is not curable, even through diet and exercise. Ninety percent of post-pubescent women have it, even those that are very physically fit (think J. Lo and even Nicole Kidman).
What you can do:
- Exercise regularly. Although exercise can’t get rid of cellulite, the less fat you have, the less of it can protrude through the connective tissue.
- Eat healthy. A diet that’s high in fat, carbs, salt and alcohol and low in fiber can contribute to increased cellulite.
What to avoid:
- Fad dieting. For optimal skin adaptation to weight loss, weight loss should be progressive and not extreme so as not to increase skin laxity.
- Liposuction. Because the quick loss of fat reduces skin laxity, liposuction can actually exacerbate the appearance of cellulite.
- Stress. Because cellulite is closely linked to hormonal events (adolescence, pregnancy, etc), avoid triggering extra hormones caused by excess stress.
How you can Reveal™ your best you:
SmoothEffects™ Cellulite Reduction Program: A series of treatments tightens, firms and reduces cellulite in trouble spots like the thighs (outer, inner, front & back) and buttocks, creating a smoother silhouette.
WeightNot™ Weight Loss Program: This easy-to-follow, easy-to-stick-to meal-replacement program offeres unparalleled convenience, support & ongoing education so that you not only reach your weight-loss goals, you maintain them.
