What is cellulite and what can you do about it? Jetske Ultee, cosmetic dermatology researcher, answers 3 questions we have about cellulite.
“As many as eight to nine out of ten women have cellulite. So it is a normal phenomenon rather than a disease. But it's still miserable! And quite unfair that men are hardly bothered by it… There are many theories about cellulite, but it may be caused by a combination of factors:an increase in local subcutaneous fat, a thinning deep layer of skin and weaker and irregular connective tissue. The bumps and pits you see on the skin are clumps of fat that are pushed out through the slacker and thinner connective tissue layer of the deeper dermis.”
Read also: ‘The difference between cellulite and cellulite‘
“There are ingredients that can burn fat and strengthen connective tissue in a test tube or under the microscope, such as caffeine, aminophylline and vitamin A acid. In theory, cellulite could be remedied with this, in practice the results are disappointing. The concentration of the substances in the creams is often not comparable with the concentrations used in scientific research. In addition, the skin problems with cellulite are so deep that ingredients are difficult to reach. Therefore, do not rely too much on the wonders of (infrared) saunas, thermal baths, exchange pools and massages.”
“From microneedling and special massages to herbal therapies and shock wave therapies, there are many treatments on offer. But the results are variable and not always convincing. The latest trend is a treatment that focuses on loosening and/or cutting the connective tissue strands, with blades or a laser. But this is not my field and I have no experience with it.”
Source:Santé April 2019 | Text:Fleur Baxmeier
