Five Element Wellness Center

Other Cellulite "Treatments"

When it comes to getting rid of cellulite , women will try anything the does not kill them and a few things that might. Following are several of the present day "treatments" for cellulite.

Body Wraps

Body wrapping involves a process of enveloping parts of the body with blankets of cotton or plastic permeated with a variety of substances such as herbal extracts, algae, seaweed, and mud. The skin is brushed or massaged evenly with any one of these products and then covered in linens. The body shaping effect is the result of the combined action of perspiration and compression, which leads to a reduction of body dimensions. Except in the case of The Body Wrap™ from Suddenly Slender, this effect is mainly due to the loss of fluids and is only temporary. Body wraps are generally beneficial for relaxation. Everyone likes to be pampered and there's something about being cocooned that's so-o-o nice. They can even soften the skin, but they do not reduce cellulite.

Many of our clients have found the The Body Wrap™ from Suddenly Slender to be a useful adjunctive therapy for cellulite reduction. More on that on the appropriate page.

Cellulite Creams and Gels

Some creams and gels hold promise as kea st treatment adjuncts for cellulite. However, the most promising creams almost always use compounds whose molecules are too large to pass through human skin. Below are three of the more compounds.

Xanthines, such as aminophylline and theophylline, are common ingredients in many cellulite creams and are shown in vitro to stimulate fat metabolism. However, most recent studies involving actual subjects have not demonstrated these creams to be useful in the fight against cellulite. No one manufacturing or touting has xanthines has ever received FDA approval for the treatment of cellulite.

Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives and have been approved by the FDA as an effective treatment for wrinkles. In concentrations of 0.01 to 0.1%, it reduces the appearance of fine wrinkles and roughness of facial skin by improving the thickness of the epidermis and circulation to the surface of the skin. Retinoids are now being considered as a possible treatment for cellulite, but as of yet no large-scale studies have been published showing their value in this area.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) Lactic acid and glycolic acid are examples. Found naturally in many foods, including citrus fruits, apples, grapes, tomatoes, apricots, and sour milk. In low concentrations of 3 to 7%, AHA’s act as defoliators, accelerating the sloughing of the superficial layer of dead cells, increasing the cell turnover rate, and essentially thinning the outer most layer of the skin. In higher concentrations of 8 to 12%, AHA’s have been found to reduce fine wrinkles. No studies have been published on AHA’s as an effective treatment for cellulite.

Massage

Massage increases circulation and lymphatic drainage. It reduces muscular spasms and breaks down adhesions. Lymphatic drainage is the result of a specific massage which helps remove accumulated fluids. This has little effect, however, on cellulite. In theory, manual skin kneading combined with lymphatic drainage could result in smoothing the soft tissues and the "drainage" of damaged collagen fibers.

The difficulty with manual massage are the differing techniques and levels of pressure from therapist to therapist as well as the inability of the massage therapist to deliver the kind stimulation necessary at the cellular level. No studies have been published showing massage as an effective treatment for cellulite reduction or elimination.

Liposuction

Liposuction is the most commonly performed aesthetic surgical procedure for body contouring. This invasive technique involves the removal of fat from the reserve fat layers. Liposuction is not typically performed in the subcutaneous fat layer where cellulite originates. The secondary effects that can occur from treating this layer in this manner are too likely and too horrendous, profuse bleeding, swelling and scarring. Liposuction is not a treatment of choice for cellulite. In fact, when liposuction is used to remove large quantities of reserve fat, it often worsens the appearance of cellulite. To combat this problem, Endermologie® is often used in combination with liposuction to maximize the benefits of liposuction.

Herbal Supplements

Herbal preparations are preparation only loosely herbal. Non-herbal substances, such as borage (seed oil), bladderwrack extract, grape seed extract, fish oil, soya lecithin, sweet clover extract, and gingko biloba extract are often part of the preparations. A number of these were introduced to the American public in 1990’s as over-the-counter products for the treatment of cellulite. The active ingredients in these products are believed to exert a variety of effects, such as improved local circulation, reduced fluid build up, and heightened fat metabolism. These products are not subject to FDA review. Their ingredients and effects have not yet been settled scientifically. There may be some promising treatments in this area; but, someone while have systemically sort through the many possibilities to determine which ones these are.

Clinical studies of several popular brands sold as remedies for cellulite have been published published in the past five years. None has reported significant changes in cellulite, body weight, or body circumference.

Electrotherapy

Electrical muscle stimulators (EMS) are prescription devices used in physical therapy for treating specific neuromuscular problems. Similarly, iontophoresis is a medical device that combines direct electrical current with ions of soluble salt, penetrating tissues to exert a therapeutic effect. Health spas have been using EMS devices for girth reduction, weight loss, cellulite reduction, and non-surgical face-lifts. The FDA considers muscle stimulators and iontophoresis for cellulite reduction and body contouring to be ineffective

Exercise and Diet

It is common knowledge that weight gain can worsen the appearance of cellulite. An increase in volume within the fat layers, resulting from the accumulation of fat, can magnify the appearance of existing dimples. Of course, common knowledge is often wrong. Excessive weight is just as likely too improve the appearance of cellulite; but, no one in doctor land will admit that.

No one is advocating getting fat to cure cellulite. Carrying too much weight has its own problems. No one needs to blame excessive weight for cellulite which it assuredly does not cause.or exacerbate it. Stick to a healthy lifestyle by all means. It may make the actual treatment for cellulite work more effectively, In any case, it can't hurt. But, do remember this: neither diet nor exercise has any affect whatsoever on cellulite.,