Cottage cheese or orange peel thighs... you've heard it all and nobody likes them. That dimpled, irregular, untoned appearance. I have it, some of you may have it -- what can be done about it?? While there is no definite procedure that can help all cellulite cases, there are a few which may help some of us. And there is one procedure which looks promising to eradicate cellulite forever.
Cellulite is a non-medical term to describe when superficial fatty deposits are pressed up against or are constricted by the bands of connective tissue which run from the muscle fascia, through this fat and reconnect to the undermost area of the skin. Cellulite can look even worse when fat cells enlarge with weight gain and bulge out of the network of connective tissue. It may also either worsen or develop in those who never had cellulite before from the formation of scar tissue after liposuction. However, excess deep layer fat and having had liposuction need not be an issue for cellulite to appear -- many skinny people have it as well. |
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| Most women and some men have cellulite and it is estimated that 90% of the female population have or will have cellulite after puberty. It is not something which only plagues the obese or overweight -- it can affects any of us and has no prejudice. So, throw everything out the window that you've heard about cellulite and listen up. Your skinny little cousin may have it, your average-weighted friend who just had lipo may have it, that overweight lady at the deli may have it, that muscular, cardio-freak woman at the gym probably doesn't have it but who needs her anyway? |
Poor lymphatic drainage means that the lymph cannot flow through the lymph nodes, which are one directional, and stays trapped in the tissues. In the upper thighs, this stagnation, coupled with gravity, makes re-flow of lymph difficult from the legs up through the lymph nodes in the groin (the lymph's only routes of escape back to the body). Inefficient exchange of lymphatic fluid and blood causes the lymph to become stagnant and appear swollen and water-filled (i.e. cellulite).
Forceful massage techniques can place excessive pressure on the fragile lymph vessels and cause damage to the tissues. When blood is stimulated through vigorous massage, the volume of lymphatic fluid in the tissue increases. If blood is increased and the person has a poor lymphatic reflow to the lymph nodes, the lymph remains stagnant and swollen between the cells. Vigorous pummeling and suction of the tissues can result in a weakening of the underlying support structures and allow increased dimpling and pitting. Heavy massage also speeds up blood circulation and in turn increases the volume of lymphatic fluid flowing. When lymphatic drainage is already compromised, the swelling in the tissues may even worsen. |
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