Cellulite is that ‘orange peel’ look that is apparent on the legs, thighs and upper arms of most women as they age. Caused by the storage of fat cells in the subcutaneous tissue and the subsequent pushing of fat against the skin from micro circulatory changes which cause an increase in fluid retention.

Many women, in fact, most women, struggle with cellulite as they age. Although it is more common in women over 35 it has been diagnosed in girls at 16 years of age. Many women choose what they wear depending upon whether it hides their problems with cellulite.

Cellulite isn’t a medical condition but rather a nuisance. Insurance doesn’t pay to have the condition alleviated and it isn’t covered under physicians visits.

One alternative cellulite treatment is cellulite Ionithermie Reduction. This treatment alleges to get rid of cellulite by cleansing your body of accumulated and unwanted toxins and fats through massage of the lymphatic system. It also involves electric pads that massage parts of your body affected by the cellulite and the use of a clay mask on the affected areas.

The Ionithermie reduction therapies are done at a cellulite treatment parlor or spa. It starts with a manual massage to stimulate the lymphatic glands. Then a thin material is placed over the affected parts and clay applied to the material. The electric massaging pads are put over the affected areas and various levels of stimulation are applied.

After the electrical massage is completed more massage is done by hand and anti cellulite lotion is applied.

Synergie cellulite reduction uses an FDA approved machine for the reduction of cellulite in a non-invasive technique. In a recent study 100% of women who participated noted a loss of inches from their body’s and 90% had visible improvements in the smoothness of their skin.

The Synergie machine uses an alternating suction and pressure to allegedly release the fluids in the fat cells, increase lymphatic drainage and improve blood circulation.

Each sessions lasts approximately 40 minutes and 2 sessions are done a week for a 4, 8 or 16 week period depending upon your particular situation. After this time period a monthly maintenance session is recommended to maintain the results and continue to improve circulation.

There are also at home alternative cellulite treatments and techniques. These techniques are not new age or require the use of a doctors prescription. Herbs used in cooking are thought to have antioxidant qualities to reduce cellulite such as Cayenne pepper, juniper berries, black pepper extract, ginger, grape seed, garlic, peppermint tea.

Another home cellulite remedy is body brushing. It allegedly improves circulation and allows faster delivery of nutrients to the skin. The issue with this technique is that it doesn’t address the issue of decreased circulation to those areas already affected by cellulite – thus the toxins and fat can’t be transported away since there is nothing to transport it.

Weight loss will not automatically decrease cellulite but will help to decrease the stored fat under the skin.

A tip to help your body flush toxins and maintain general well health is to stay well hydrated. Drinking water keeps all of your systems working the way they were intended. Well hydrated means at least 8-10 8-ounce glasses of water per day – not coffee or soft drinks.

Statistics of the number of women who have cellulite varies. A study by Neutrogena reported that 70% of women have cellulite while other physicians report that number as high as 90%. This only points to the fact that there is no standardized method of measuring cellulite.

During recent research scientists reported that some cellulite appeared to develop during parts of a women’s life when there were hormonal surges such as puberty, pregnancy, menopause and PMS.

Cellulite will often rear it’s unsightly head between 25 and 35 but some women will find it’s appearance by age 16.

Lack of exercise, inadequate water intake and poor nutrition can increase the development of cellulite.

Some people claim that exercise can build muscles in the affected areas which would mask the cellulite and increase the circulation. A healthy diet will go a long way to preventing the problem by maintaining an appropriate weight. But neither of these options will take away the cellulite that has already appeared.

Stress for prolonged periods increases the amount of fat that is stored by the body and thus increasing the appearance of cellulite.

The use of diuretics, smoking, laxatives, and diet pills are also triggers. Reducing water retention by decreasing salt intake can help to prevent further development of cellulite.

Some of the newer treatments include cold-laser massage, VelaSmooth, Synergie, Fat-Melting injections, Liposuction, Fatburners and Skin Firmers.

Most topical ointments only attack the skin and not the source of the cellulite beneath it. The effect is temporary and wears off when the cream is discontinued.

There are two treatments are reported to minimize cellulite by treating the bands of connective tissue or septae that hold the fat into place under the skin. Endermologie is performed by a plastic surgeon or cosmetic dermatologist. It uses a motorized device that creates suction and smooth deep mobilization. There are usually quick results visible but require maintenance.

VelaSmooth uses both infrared red light and radio frequency waves to relax the connective tissue bands. It is non-invasive and must be done twice a week for five weeks and then monthly. Initial results are promising

Liposuction is an option that some women chose. However it is invasive with significant potential side effects and not a good track results track record.

Some have found that using coffee grounds on the skin to reduce cellulite gives them positive results. Unfortunately the effect is from the dehydrating effect of the caffeine to dry out the skin and make it tighter. This has a temporary effect.

Mesotherapy is a treatment targeted at reducing cellulite through a slightly invasive technique. A solution of amino acids, vitamins and homeopathic medications are injected under the skin to break down the fat cells.

Cellulite are those lumpy bulges that don’t disappear with weight loss. They seem to have a dimpled appearance or some say an ‘orange peel’ look.

Cellulite is most common on the upper thighs, buttocks, upper arms but can also appear on the stomach, neck, upper arms and fronts of the thighs.

It is a very common condition; as many as 95% of women are plagued with cellulite. It is more common in women as they age but some girls as young as 16 can develop cellulite.

Under the layer of skin that you can see and feel are three layers of fat. The top layer is called subcutaneous meaning ‘sub’ or under the cutaneous layer (skin).

Under the subcutaneous fat layer are two reserve layers where the fat cells store extra calories to be burned when the body needs it. Cellulite resides in the top layer of fat, in the subcutaneous layer.

Directly under the skin is the septae or a net like fibrous connective tissue. This forms compartments where the fat cells are located. This keeps the fat tightly packaged and provides support for the skin and insulation for the body.

When cellulite begins to form the subcutaneous cells are pushed up and the fibrous tissue recedes downwards. These fat cells are squeezed into small bulges that look like lumps or orange peel.

When a woman ages her skin becomes thinner, loses elasticity and connective tissue. This worsens the appearance of cellulite – even though it might not have changed over the years.

Cellulite is a cosmetic condition meaning that it may be unsightly to you but it has no medical effects on the body that cause illness or disease. Psychologists who treat women for body image difficulties may disagree but insurance companies are very firm on this topic.

Experts disagree about the number but agree that cellulite develop in a series of steps or stages. The largest number of distinct development stages is five.

In stage one the tiny circulatory vessels in the skin and subcutaneous tissues are starved and die off weakening the surrounding tissue. Reducing the venous flow and lymphatic drainage increases the fluid retention in the tissues. There isn’t anything visible to the naked eye at this time in the development.

In Stage two the capillaries and veins are weakened and leak blood into the surrounding tissue which increases the pressure. The skin may bruise more easily but cellulite isn’t visible.

Stage three happens when the lymphatic fluid pushes against the outer skin and the first visible signs of cellulite appear.

In stage four the cells are starved of oxygen and nutrients, the fibers thicken and squeeze the fat cells pressing on the surrounding tissue.

In stage five the blood circulation is re-routed around the area with cellulite. Even though fat is continued to be stored in these areas it isn’t efficiently removed because the circulation is re-routed. In this stage the lumps are large and very visible and the skin is cool to the touch. The visible look of the cellulite goes from an ‘orange peel’ appearance to a ‘mattress’ look.

In other staging cellulite is evaluated as stage one – having little to no visible appearance; stage 2 mild to moderate and stage three severe cellulite.

Although poor circulation is the reason for the development of cellulite the reasons for the poor circulation are many. Genetics play a part as do female hormones. Pregnancy adds extra weight and cuts the circulation off to the upper legs with the addition of fluid retention. Prolonged stress increases the amount of adrenaline which leads to increased fat storage. Pelvic surgery may change the microcirculation to the abdomen and upper legs which increases fluid retention. Obesity increases the risk factors for cellulite because of the decreased circulation and increased fat storage.

Each of these factors do not contribute to cellulite equally; nor do they contribute equally between people.