Cellulite Help For Dimpled Thighs

Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee,

I have noticed that the backs of my thighs are getting dimpling. I am only 36 years old, exercise, eat healthy, and am not overweight, so how can this be? I don't want to have liposuction or anything like that. There must be a cream that can help?

Signed,

Concerned about cellulite

Dear Concerned about cellulite,

Cellulite is very common, can start in the teenage years, and affects 95% of women (Wilkinson, 2007). You do not have to be overweight to get cellulite. People of all shapes and sizes have cellulite

Cellulite is fat trapped beneath the top layer of skin causing a puckered, dimpled, orange peel, or cottage cheese skin appearance often around the stomach, thighs, or buttocks. Liposuction is not an effective treatment for cellulite because it gets rid of fat from the deep layers of the skin, not the cellulite fat underneath the top layer.

FIVE WAYS TO HELP CELLULITE

1. EXERCISE

Regular exercise and healthy eating habits helps diminish cellulite. The best exercises for cellulite are cardiovascular such as walking, jogging, and swimming. Food sources that decrease cellulite are discussed below.

2. NON-INVASIVE SKIN TIGHTENING

The American Academy of Dermatology discussed treatment of cellulite using a non-invasive skin tightening procedure called unipolar volumetric radiofrequency. Six treatments over a two-week period showed clinical improvement in 27 of 30 patients (Dauter, 2007).

3. MESOTHERAPY

Injections underneath the surface of the skin with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are used to rejuvenate the skin. About 8-14 treatments are needed (Goldberg, 2009).

4. ANTI-CELLULITE CREAMS

Anti-cellulite creams have been recommended by various cellulite treatment websites to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. These lotions work on the surface of skin to lift and smooth the surface and reduce the appearance of skin puckering. The creams will not get rid of the cellulite, just diminish the appearance of it. In addition, the affect may take months to achieve and only lasts while using the product.

Given the limitations of anti-cellulite creams, some products reviewed are as follows:

1. The Cellulite Treatment website at www.CelluliteTreatment.org recommends RevitaShape (6 oz for $70) and Revitol Cellulite Lotion (4 oz for $40).

2. The Cellulite Report at www.thecellulitereport.com #1 pick was Revitol Cellulite Lotion (4 oz for $40); #2 was Hydroderm Body Shape (4 oz for $20).

3. Dermatologist, Dr. Howard Murad, has developed his own line of skin care creams and supplements (www.murad.com). Dr. Murad claims that his Firm and Tone Serum "improves the overall appearance of the skin up to 80%" (6.75 oz for $77).

5. FOODS TO STOP CELLULITE

Dr. Murad believes that free radical damage leads to cellulite and has listed seven food sources that are "Cellulite Stoppers." These cellulite stoppers aid in tissue repair, rebuilds cell walls, helps produce collagen and elastin, smoothes tissues, and neutralizes cell damage.

In brief, Dr. Murad's 7 Cellulite Stoppers (www.murad.com):

1. Lecithin: eggs, soy, cauliflower, peanuts

2. Glucosamine: taken as supplement

3. Essential Fatty Acids: fish oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil, seeds and nuts

4. Essential Amino Acids: eggs, poultry, non-fat dairy, soy

5. Antioxidants: colorful fruits and vegetables

6. Anti-inflammatories: fruits, vegetables, soy, olive oil. (Avoid Inflammatory Foods Red meat, butter, saturated fats, simple sugars).

7. B Vitamins and Trace Minerals: whole grains, legumes, dark green vegetables, non-fat dairy