Like aging and fine lines and the truth that we will all have to deal with saggy boobs as we eventually grow older, cellulite is a harsh reality that almost all women face. This unsightly (yet non-life threatening) condition is very, very common among women, affecting almost 90% of all of us. As common as it is though, cellulite is surrounded by plenty of misconceptions and myths, which we are about to debunk today.
#1 Cellulite is made up of chunks of fat
Not true! Normal fat underneath your skin is one of the main causes of cellulite, but it is not a lone cause. The dimpling appears only because the fat pushes against fiber and connective tissue. This disharmonious comingling is responsible for the “orange peel” effect on the skin. The pockets or compartments beneath the skin are not necessarily chunks of fat.
#2 Cellulites develop when you gain weight
This leads us to a very common line: only fat women get cellulite! This is definitely not true. Fat deposits on the skin surface can cause cellulite, but it actually does not matter how much fat you have or do not have. That said, even relatively toned women have dimpled fat pockets as well. If you are thin and lanky, you still have a chance at developing cellulite as well. Losing weight may reduce the dimpled appearance, but there is no guarantee.
#3 You will not get it if you are thin
Thin women get cellulite as well, because we all have fat tissues in our body. Having a lower body fat percentage reduces your risk of having cellulite though, since you will also have less subcutaneous fat that will push around and against your connective tissues.
#4 Eliminate cellulite by exercising
This myth is in relation to the first one, following the theory that if you lose fat from your body, you can eliminate cellulite. Exercising can help you lose weight, which may help reduce the appearance of cellulite, but there is no guarantee at all.
#5 Toxins cause cellulite
This myth takes root from many marketing strategies of many over the counter products. They promise to remove impurities and toxins in your body, thereby reducing cellulite. These claims are not backed by science at all. While it is good to remove toxins and impurities in the system (something that over the counter skin products promise to do but really cannot), it cannot remove cellulite.
#6 You cannot prevent it
Since genetics is one of the major factors as to whether you will develop cellulite or not over the years, many women tend to believe that there is nothing else they can do to prevent it. Genetics is only one factor, but there are other causes as well. Truth is, there are some helpful preventive measures like diet, exercise and avoiding unhealthy habits like smoking that prevents it from developing.
#7 Liposuction can remove cellulite
We always think of liposuction as a great way to remove excess fat from the body. If it removes fat from the abdominals, thighs and buttocks, then shouldn’t it remove cellulite from those areas as well? Not entirely. In fact, liposuction may make cellulite appear worse, since it removes all the fat that the cellulite “rests” on. This leaves nothing but the dimply appearance to cover your thighs and butt!
#8 You can remove it with creams
There are many creams and lotions in the market that promise to smoothen out skin and dissolve fat. Many cellulite creams work by creating an illusion of smoothness by camouflaging bumps. This is also the theory behind spray tans or actual tanning. Body scrubs with stimulant ingredients like black tea and caffeine also have very little evidence to back up their claims.
What can you do?
With all these myths about cellulites, it may seem as if there is nothing you can do to eliminate or reduce its appearance. Do not fret, there are still some measures that you can take that may be successful.
Doctors believe that excessive exposure to UV light and smoking damages collagen in your skin, making you more prone to cellulite formation. Thus, it does not hurt to at take good care of your skin (and health) by increasing sun protection and laying off on cigarettes.
Luckily, there are office-based treatments like mesotheapy, massage and laser treatments that you can try to reduce the appearance of dimply skin. Dieting and eating right can also help – so steer away from soda, sugary foods and eat fruits, vegetables and high fiber food.
In the end, cellulite is a part of life – almost all of us get it. The good thing is, it is not dangerous at all. While it’s good to take preventive measures or try some things to help reduce its appearance, it is also a good idea to accept the fact that it really happens. It is okay to have cellulite. Therefore, if you find yourself spending too much time, energy and effort on cellulite removal, you might want to take it lightly and focus your time and efforts on other things that really matter.
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