July 28, 2008
Elastin and collagen
The ‘orange peel' effect seen on some people's thighs and buttocks are fat cells beneath the skin and is known by the general term ‘cellulite'; the thighs and buttocks might be the main areas that experience this but it can actually be found anywhere. Most women carry excess fat in thighs and buttocks, but this problem is not confined just to the overweight; this condition even affects slim women who have fewer fat cells.
Cellulite forms just below the surface of the skin in the thighs and buttocks region, where areas of fat collect and force themselves against the tissue creating a puckered look to the surface of the skin. Health experts have been trying to discover the cause for some time as it is not a condition that affects every woman but they believe it does have some connection to the way the fat cells are made and possibly how toxins enter and are stored within the body.
What is certain though is that the older you become the greater the likelihood of this type of cell forming as the elastin and collagen, that help stop aging lines, becomes less effective. It is normally classified as a problem caused by hormones and is why men rarely suffer with the condition as fat in their bodies is consistent throughout.
The presence of cellulite is not always prominent, unless one tries to pinch the upper skin of one's thigh; should it feel lumpy then you most certainly have it but a woman should not feel bad about having it, since most have this condition to a certain degree. After a great deal of research, certain conditions do help with the formation and retention of the fat cells; the age of the person, their gender, how thick their skin is and the amount of extra fat they carry, all play a part.
Despite research, science has no answers to the definitive cause which means that any manufacturer can make claims but how to rid people of the condition including creams to make it disappear. Massage has been found to help hide the indications of cellulite even though it cannot remove it; but is does reduce it's visibility for a temporary period and is available from some beauty clinics.
Another technique used to remove the fat cells, but not that successfully, is liposuction which is used to remove excess fat in the body but a method called mesotherapy which injects chemicals into the fat cells is still too expensive for most people who desire it. These known remedies offer only temporary relief and are likewise not advisable as liposuction for example should only be used to remove deep fats and is not very effective in the removal of cellulite.
Unfortunately at the moment there isn't a magic formula for removal and it may be some time before it is found although some companies claim that they have creams that are effective but this seems to be better at hiding the effects. Although no treatment can really help, adjustments to lifestyle habits seem to be a better option which means adopting a healthy diet, with regular physical activity and an overall reduction in weight.
Many toxins that accumulate in the body can be flushed out with regular amounts of water which some believe is still an effective way to keep the body free of harmful substances including the toxins which help with the formation of cellulite.
Filed under Weight Loss by Upbeat Body