Cellulite

Redlands Daily Facts Health Section
Staff Writer

Q:: I diet and exercise and I still have Cellulite. Would liposuction help? Do "Magic" massage machines work? Is there hope?

Mimi: In some cultures cellulite is considered womanly and sexy. It is an indication that the woman has high estrogen and therefore would be good breeding stock for keeping the species going. Look at the paintings by the masters. The nudes are heavy in the thighs and most have cellulite.

Dieting to lose weight and exercising, will not cure cellulite. The right diet with proper nutrients will help. Exercising will improve the overall appearance of the body. Liposuction removes fat deeper under the skin than the cellulite fat. The "magic" massage machines that roll and suck the fat create edema which puffs up the tissues with water. The edema makes the skin look smoother temporarily.

In 2005 Dr. Howard Murad, dermatologist, research chemist, and pharmacist discovered the Cellulite Solution. It is a scientifically proven definitive road map to reducing dimpling and improving stretch marks. It is founded on Dr. Murad's Water Principle - the method of repairing and firming the body's cells and connective tissue, enabling them to hold on to their vital water, leaving the skin smoother.

Dr. Murad discovered that cellulite is not the result of too much fat in the body. The actual cause of cellulite occurs internally with the weakening of the skin cells and connective tissue. Similarly, stretch marks are caused by a weakening of the dermal tissue due to constant stretching. As the skin sustains damage from a myriad of sources such as aging and the environment, it loses its essential water and weakens.

Cellulite is caused by blood vessel damage, which results in cellular water loss. This damage weakens the dermis and allows fat cells to swell, clump together, and rise to the upper layers of the skin, creating the appearance of lumps and dimples on the surface. If we are to repair cellulite, we need to focus on repairing the dermis, not on burning fat.

This principle is explained in Dr. Murad's book, The Cellulite Solution.

Dr. Howard Murad, has proven that long held ideas on cellulite are not based in fact.

MYTH: Cellulite does not affect young, thin women.
FACT: Cellulite affects 90% of women, regardless of age or weight. Cellulite can start right after puberty and many thin and fit and hydrated women have cellulite.

MYTH: Cellulite is controlled by weight loss and exercise.
FACT: Weight loss and exercise alone cannot control cellulite because cellulite fat cannot be metabolized and used as fuel.

MYTH: Cellulite and stretch marks can never improve.
FACT: They can improve by adding key skin hydrating, cell-fortifying nutrients to our diets to rebuild, re-hydrate, and revitalize our skin, thus forcing stubborn fat cells back invisibly below the surface—and keeping them there. These nutrients work in conjunction with topical agents that hydrate, exfoliate, and firm skin while stimulating blood flow, to leave the skin tightened, supple, and smoother.

Mimi Barre is the owner of International Day Spa, 325 Cajon St., Redlands. Send your skin care questions to her at MimiB@INTLdayspa.com. She and her estheticians are available for personal consultations, (909) 793-9080.