Cellulite is an issue that preoccupies women at any age. It mainly occurs to 90% of women and very rarely to men, irrespective of their weight and it is more evident on obese people. It can appear on any part of the body, except from the palms, soles and head, while it often appears on the hips, thighs and belly.
Researches have shown that cellulite is the result of a disorder in hormonal function, venous and vascular supply, leading to an increase in water retention and useless metabolic products (toxins) in the intercellular area of the skin. (Lansdown, 2001).
Stages of cellulite:
There are 4 cellulite stages, depending on the skin’s appearance and texture.
Stage 1: Cellulite is not visible to the naked eye in a standing or supine position. It only becomes evident with the “pinch test”. The skin’s colour is not homogeneous. There are white areas locally. In addition, the skin on the hips feels permanently cold. The above phenomena reveal the beginning of poor lymphatic circulation.
Stage 2: At this stage, the skin is smooth in a supine position, but cellulite becomes evident in a standing position. It is located on the thigh and mainly at the back of the thigh and hip, as well as at the front of the thigh down to the knee.
Stage 3: Cellulite is more evident, it appears when in supine position too and it may have expanded on the knee, under the knee and possibly on the calf.
Stage 4: At this stage, cellulite has spread on the entire leg and it feels especially brittle and painful. Fatty masses have been created, there is an acute difficulty in blood and lymph circulation, with retentions and hydropic texture on the surface and brittle slabs underneath.
Cellulite causes:
For the creation of cellulite, a number of predisposing factors have been blamed (http://www.aad.org/). Some of these cannot be changed, but the majority of them can be rectified. Therefore, we understand that the treatment of cellulite is achieved by rectifying all the necessary factors and it must be methodical as it requires a long period of time to yield fruits.
Non reversible factors
– Heredity.
– The climacterium. The hormonal modifications characteristic of this period are considered to be responsible for the appearance of cellulite or the aggravation of the existing situation.
– The race of the person. Women from the Mediterranean usually have cellulite.
Reversible factors – Hormonal disorders, usually possible extra oestrogens in women and insufficient androgens in men.
– Obesity. Hormonal disorders relevant to obesity cause the development of cellulite.
– Smoking causes a disorder in blood circulation and fills the human body with toxins.
– The absence of exercise and sedentariness.
– Malnutrition and especially the consumption of large quantities of carbohydrates, fats and alcohol aggravate the problem.
– Constipation and flatulence cause tension to the vessels that pump blood from the lower limbs to the heart resulting in a slower vein and lymphoid drainage.
– The use of high-heel shoes. The elevation of the heel hinders blood supply and drainage (as it causes plantar bent of the ankle resulting in the shortening of the gastrocnemious muscle).
– Chronic stress affects blood circulation and metabolism.
– The use of contraceptives, due to hormonal effects.
According to Olympia Vlaseros, dietician:
A healthy and balanced diet constitutes a vital factor for the prevention as well as the treatment of cellulite.
Drink more fluids: Water is fundamental for skin health and cellulite. Every day the human body looses at least 2 litres of water through its basic functions, such as respiration, perspiration and urination. Replenishing this quantity is necessary for the normal function of the blood circulation and the lymphoid systems and the removal of toxins, which contribute to the development of cellulite. (Wahlqvist et al., 2008)
Eat food that contains good fats: Consume less fat and mainly saturated fat. Excess food fat contains a lot of calories and its regular consumption leads to obesity. Saturated fat causes vascular deterioration and is contained in fatty meats, fried dishes, mayonnaise and full-fat cream, sausages and cured meat, butter, eggs, dairy products and cheese.
Avoid sugar and sugary foods: Sugar and simple carbohydrates are contained in a lot of foods and are directly related to the development of cellulite. Apart from sweets that contain the above (biscuits, candies, pastry, honey, jams), these substances are also met in many other foods, such as white bread, canned food, ready-made sauces, yoghurt etc. Excess glucose in the human body can merge with the free fatty acids that circulate in our blood, creating trilinolein which in turn cause thickening of the fat cells and the emergence of the orange-peel effect on skin (Sator, 2006).
Control constipation: Constipation contributes to the development or aggravation of cellulite. We recommend increasing the consumption of high-fibre foods such as fruits and vegetables, wholegrain cereals and pulses ((Sator, 2006).
Limit salt consumption: It is widely known that salt consumption contributes to the development of cellulite. Salt causes fluid retention and so salty food as well as the addition of excessive quantities of salt in meals should be avoided.
Other foods involved in the creation of cellulite that should be avoided include the following: alcohol, too much coffee, cocoa, fizzy drinks and ready-made meals.
Eat more protein products: It is recommended to consume protein foods in order to produce enough collagen and elastin for the connective tissue and to control hunger. Poultry, fatless meat and fish, soya, eggs, milk and yoghurt are examples of such foods.
Choose foods that contain lecithin: Lecithin found in egg white, soya products, potatoes, spinach and tomatoes helps in cell membrane resurfacing and damaged tissue repair.
Say Yes to anti-oxidants: Anti-oxidants found in various foods limit the inflammation and stop the damage caused by free radicals on the corium resulting in the creation of ripples on our skin. Anti-oxidant substances that affect the skin are the polyphenols and vitamins A, C and E. For this reason, increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, green tea, coffee etc.
According to the beautician Lena Tsikouri:
The best way to fight cellulite is to prevent it, since – as mentioned above – it affects 85% – 90% of women. Therefore, the sooner a person tackles this problem the better they can control it.
The beautician aims to fight cellulite using various methods and in this way to eliminate it.
How the treatment works:
There are various ways to control cellulite. However, in order for all of them to work to achieve the desired result, the lymph has to be “cleansed” first. Endodermis is the solution. Endodermis on lymphoid routes.
The importance of lymphoid drainage
This category includes:
– All endodermis treatments, i.e. all the appliances that operate and apply negative pressure on skin provided that they move along the lymphoid routes and in the direction of the lymph nodes.
– In addition, wrapping that, when done properly, acts as drainage.
– Lymphoid massage using hands or cupping glasses or both
– Negative pressure chambers, pressotherapy
– Vibration platforms
– Electrotherapies using specific currents
– Light
– Ultrasounds
– Treatments using sea products, mud products & spa water, essential oils
& spices
– Cryothermic treatments
– Mesotherapy
– Enzyme application and
any other existing or future treatments, as the progress of cosmetic science constantly provides us with new ways to fight cellulite.
Enzymes. The new miracle
The launching of enzymes in the professional cosmetic products market for cellulite control will mark a new era in the field of topical fat loss and cellulite treatment.
Enzymes are simply applied on skin and act automatically. They do not require mesotherapy, massage or ultrasound in order to penetrate our skin. They get through quickly, reach the required spot and dissolve any fatty masses, cleansing the collagen fibres and the vessels. It is a magical solution. As long as we believe that it is something so simple. Besides, it has been proven by clinical studies.
