Cellulite - Part IV - Final

The skin is an ever-changing organ that contains live structures and it need constant maintainance. Whatever you do today to improve the skin has to be done tomorrow to keep its health.

Cellulite possible causes

• Gender & Genetics
• Life style

Gender and Genetics
Estrogen and other female hormones play an important role in the deposit and distribution of the body fat.

We also know that cellulite happens almost exclusively in women, appointing female hormones as a very important factor in its development.

More factors
If your mother has cellulite, you most probably will have it. Also, women with big hips tend to have more tendencies to develop cellulite.

Still related to the hereditary factor, body fluids circulation plays a very important role – the importance of circulation is related to the cell nutrition and elimination of toxins. Women with varicose veins and spider veins tend to have poor circulation, thus more tendencies to cellulite.

Life style Stress, alcoholic beverages in excess, tobacco, processed food, excessive fat, sugar and salt consumption are closely related to the development of circulatory problems and cellulite.

Prevention and Treatment
Good habits go a long way to prevent or minimize cellulite and many other conditions.

Avoid the use of tight clothes and high heeled shoes to aid in keeping a good circulation.
Chill out: Minimize excessive stress by balancing life and work.
Good night sleep: Another good way to keep stress level down is to create a good environment prior going to sleep – by avoiding stimulants, such as caffeine intake at night.

Excesses: If you cannot stop completely, at least avoid excesses of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, processed food, excessive fat, sugar and salt consumption.

Work out: exercises that include muscle building and aerobic activities tend to have a positive result in the unaesthetic appearance of cellulite ‘orange peel’.

Massage: localized to promote fluid circulation in the affected areas to increase the elimination of toxins. One of the most popular massage for this purpose is the Lymphatic drainage, which will promote better circulation of the fluids in the lymphatic vessels.

Products: include active ingredients that act on the micro circulation and fatty cells. They are more effective if applied with massage for better absorption and improved local circulation.

Pharmacological agents:
1. Aminophylline, theophylline and caffeine belong to a chemical group known as methylxanthines. This group of substances can help the lypolysis (fat breakdown) – therefore they are present in many anti-cellulite products.
2. Pentoxifylline, which improves micro-circulation
3. Isoproterenol and adrenaline; yohimbine, piperoxan, phentolamine and dihydrohergotamine
4. Coenzyme A and L-carnitine (methylxantine enhancers)
5. Asiaticoside (present in the Asiatic centella) and Sillicium derivatives (micro vessels protection) 6. Rutin (present in the Indian chestnut) and Ginkgo biloba (action on micro circulation)

The challenge with any topical active ingredient is to have enough absorption in the site of action - in this case, the subcutaneous tissue.

Special products that target cellulite can be used topically, systemically, or transdermally. The appearance of ‘orange peel’ will most likely return when the treatment is ceased.

Chill out and combine methods for an overall response and a healthier life. Results can be seen in the very first Month and lasting results depend on frequency and discipline.

Be good and be healthy!

Vanessa

Cellulite - Part III

Anatomy of the Skin
The skin is the largest organ in the body. It is an ever-changing and complex organ that contains many specialized cells and structures each with a well determined function.

The main function of the skin is protection from the environment, and is also involved in maintaining the proper temperature for the body.

The skin is composed by 3 layers: epidermis, dermis and the subcutaneous tissue, this last being the main focus on the discussion about cellulite.

Epidermis
Epidermis is the outermost layer of skin.

Dermis
Dermis is the next layer under the epidermis, which contains many specialized cells and structures, such as hair follicles, sebaceous (oil) glands, eccrine (sweat) glands, blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerves receptors and specialized nerve cells, responsible to transmit sensations, such as pain, temperature, touch, pressure.

The connective tissue provides the framework and insulation of the dermis layer. It offers a necessary insulation and stability between the various structures, permitting their proficient function.

It is composed primarily of collagen providing the tensile strength, ground substance, and elastic tissue, which as the name suggests, gives the skin its elasticity.

Subcutaneous tissue
The next layer of tissue is the subcutaneous tissue. This is a layer of fat and connective tissue that contains larger blood vessels and nerves.

This layer is important for the regulation of temperature of the skin and the body. The size of this layer varies throughout the body part, based on gender and genetics of each person.

The subcutaneous tissue contains “fat-cell chambers” separated by connective tissue. From these fat-cell chambers, small projections of fat cells reach the dermis. This unevenness and irregularity of the subcutaneous fat gives the skin the "orange peel" appearance of cellulite.

In the next postings we will be discussing about the possible causes of cellulite and treatments.

Meanwhile, be healthy and be good!

Vanessa