10 myths about cellulite
Cellulite is a fairly common cosmetic defect that sooner or later occurs in about 80% of women. It is associated with a change in the structure of the subcutaneous fat layer. At the same time, irregularities (bulges and depressions) appear on the skin surface first, and then small seals (the so-called orange peel effect). Changes in the state of subcutaneous tissue are a consequence of hormonal imbalance in the body.
Negative attitude to cellulite began less than 50 years ago. For the first time, the owners of beauty salons started talking about the fact that the presence of "orange peel" contradicts the notions of female beauty and sexuality, and this statement was quickly picked up by the manufacturers of various cosmetics. The phenomenon, always considered natural, has been turned into one of the most pressing problems associated with appearance.
Some women, who consider it their duty to fight mercilessly against the "orange peel", have a very rough idea of cellulite and the real ways to get rid of it. This is facilitated by numerous misconceptions that are supported by unscrupulous manufacturers of supposedly anti-cellulite products. Let's try to deal with the most common of these myths.
Cellulite is a disease
If we consider the above statement to be true, we will have to admit that 8 out of 10 women are terminally ill. Fortunately, this is not the case. The tendency to change the state of the subcutaneous tissue under the influence of hormones is the norm for the female body.
Doctors identify four stages in the development of cellulite. The first of them practically does not appear externally, and the second and third create exclusively cosmetic problems that do not affect the state of health in any way. Pathology is only the fourth stage of the development of cellulite, which is characterized by serious violations of venous and lymphatic outflow, the presence of large, adherent to the skin and painful subcutaneous fat nodes, edema, and scarring. This condition really reduces the quality of life and requires immediate medical attention.
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Cellulite occurs at a certain age
The appearance of cellulite is associated not so much with age as with hormonal changes in the body. For example, skin conditions corresponding to the first and second stages of cellulite development sometimes occur in very young girls going through puberty (the so-called adolescent cellulite). After stabilizing the hormonal background, the problem disappears by itself. Some women experience similar skin defects during pregnancy or in the postpartum period.
Most often, "orange peel" occurs in women during menopause. Most likely, this is precisely why negative perceptions of cellulite as a phenomenon indicating the fading of female sexuality are associated.
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"Orange peel" - the problem of obese women
Cellulite can appear in both overweight and thin women. The likelihood of its development is largely determined by heredity. Other risk factors include the presence of bad habits and severe chronic diseases, a sedentary lifestyle, stress, as well as constant eating disorders.
Experts note: cellulite sometimes occurs against the background of sharp changes in body weight. So radical diets designed to ensure rapid weight loss are very unsafe in this sense.
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Cellulite is a consequence of excessive fluid intake
One of the most common mistakes women make when trying to get rid of their orange peel is trying to limit their fluid intake. They believe that stagnation in subcutaneous adipose tissue occurs due to water retention in cells. In fact, the appearance of cellulite has nothing to do with excess fluid intake. Refusing to drink enough is not only useless, but also extremely dangerous, since dehydration negatively affects the condition of the tissues and, above all, the tone of the skin.
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Athletes do not have cellulite
Nobody refutes the benefits of playing sports (as well as the harm of physical inactivity). However, regular physical activity does not save you from cellulite, but only contributes to a delay. The fact is that during training, the body produces endomorphin, which, among other things, helps to improve the blood supply to tissues and prevents the development of stagnation.
It has been noticed that in women who have recently left sports, the "orange peel" on the hips and abdomen appears very quickly. It turns out that the risk factor in this case is not so much the absence of loads as their abrupt cancellation.
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Cellulite can be eliminated with diet
To maintain skin tone and normalize cell metabolism, a balanced diet, the use of a sufficient amount of trace elements, vitamins and other biologically active substances are very important. However, there are no special anti-cellulite diets or separate foods. By eating right, you can slow down the processes of changes in subcutaneous tissue and make their consequences less noticeable, but it is impossible to completely avoid such troubles.
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Sunbathing Helps Fight Cellulite
This is not true. Ultraviolet rays activate negative processes in the subcutaneous layer and increase cell degradation. In addition, excessive heat dehydrates the integument. Therefore, women who are prone to developing cellulite should be very careful not to get carried away with sunbathing.
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Cellulite is bad for your health
The first three stages of cellulite affect only the appearance and mood. Painful phenomena are observed only at the fourth stage, which, fortunately, is very rare. Severe cases of cellulite are usually diagnosed in women with chronic metabolic pathologies and diseases of internal organs.
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"Orange peel" can be removed with special cosmetics
The spread of this misconception is promoted by unfair advertising, in which manufacturers of "miraculous" (and very expensive) cosmetics are interested. In fact, anti-cellulite creams only improve skin tone and provide some tightening effect. They cannot solve the problem of restoring metabolism in the cells of the subcutaneous layer.
It should also be noted that many home remedies for reducing the "orange peel" can successfully compete with the most popular anti-cellulite cosmetics. Especially effective are scrubs with ground coffee, honey, massage with citrus oils, compresses based on healing clay. All these funds are also relatively inexpensive.
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Liposuction - a radical remedy for cellulite
Liposuction solves the problem of removing excess fat, but does not in any way affect the intensity of lymph circulation, and after all, lymph stagnation is the direct cause of cellulite. In addition, like any other surgical intervention, liposuction has a number of contraindications and is fraught with negative consequences for the body. As a means to combat cellulite, this intervention is useless.
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For most women, the appearance of cellulite is an inevitable and normal event. The process of the appearance of a cosmetic defect can be slowed down by giving up bad habits, adjusting the diet, providing the body with dosed physical activity and regularly performing home procedures that help maintain healthy skin and subcutaneous tissue. Most likely, you will not be able to completely get rid of the problem, but with a competent approach, you can minimize it, preserving your beauty and well-being for a long time.
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Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
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