Cellulite is a very common condition, especially in women - it affects about nine out of ten women. Although it is harmless to the skin, it causes embarrassment for many.
Experts say cellulite is a condition that causes lumpy skin on the thighs, hips, buttocks, and sometimes the abdomen. The exact cause of this condition is still unknown, and most treatments provide only temporary improvement.
This leads many people to undertake unproven - and sometimes risky - experiments to get rid of this embarrassing skin appearance.
Alexandra Mills-Haq, esthetician and skincare expert at AM Aesthetics, tries to explain four myths about the condition, so that women can stop resorting to unreliable measures.
Myth 1: Wearing skinny jeans treats cellulite
It might seem like a good idea to wear tight clothes in an effort to pull out the lumpy skin, but Alexandra says that "wearing skinny jeans to improve the appearance of cellulite can make it worse."
Several studies have indicated that cellulite is linked to water retention in the body, and wearing clothes that can reduce blood circulation in the legs can lead to an increased risk of cellulite.
Myth 2: Liposuction can fix cellulite
Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure used to remove unwanted body fat. And while fat removal may seem like an effective procedure for removing cellulite, Alexandra says it can do the opposite.
She explained, "Liposuction does not improve cellulite, but it may make its appearance worse in some cases."
When the fat is removed after liposuction, the skin tightening that was present due to the upward pressure of the underlying fat disappears, leaving the excess skin looking flabby, just like a deflated balloon that looks wrinkled.
Myth 3: Men and women are equally likely to develop cellulite
Alexandra said it's undeniable that cellulite is more common in women than in men, due to tissue fibers and hormones.
In fact, only 10% of men suffer from this condition, compared to 80-90% of women.
"This is because women have fewer cross-linked collagen fibers compared to men," Alexandra explained.
And the cross-linked collagen fibers are the connective tissue we need to keep the skin strong and firm. And when we have weaker connective tissue, cellulite appears, and in old age wrinkles appear.
Cellulite is often associated with hormonal shifts, particularly estrogen. Both high and low levels of estrogen cause a decrease in the production of the hormone, thus increasing the appearance of cellulite.
How to actually get rid of cellulite
According to the NHS, if you are overweight, losing weight is the best way to deal with cellulite.
And you will start to notice the difference with a healthy diet and exercise, as exercise helps in losing fat and strengthens the core muscles, which helps to improve their appearance.
Alexandra also recommends laser therapy, which works by breaking up the tough fatty bands under the skin that make us see cellulite.
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health