Cellulite        |
Cellulite: Phases & Stages The Real Skinny on Cellulite Cellulite is a French word adopted by alternative Practioners and Beauty Therapists simply because there is no other word in the English language to describe the kind of lumpy fat deposits that tend to collect on various parts of, usually the female, but sometimes the male, anatomy. It varies considerably in severity and is most often seen on buttocks, upper thighs, inner knees, abdomen and upper arms. Cellulite has little to do with being overweight. One can be extremely thin and have cellulite. Conversely one can be extremely overweight and have little or none. Microscopic examination of cellulite reveals an accumulation of fat with a high amount of trapped fluid content. This extra cellular fluid shows a high concentration of metabolic waste, toxins and ingested or inhaled pollutants. Hypertrophied adipocytes, sluggish lymph and poor circulation all contribute to the phenomenon of cellulite. In France cellulite has been accepted as a genuine medical condition for the past 40 years, so much so that anti-cellulite treatments are available on their equivalent of the National Health Service. French doctors believe that if cellulite is left untreated it can lead to more serious medical problems developing such as water retention and arthritis. Cellulite can also be a result of poor circulation to and from the area. It is often noticeable in areas of poor muscular development and use, areas that lack good circulation to eliminate toxins and waste materials. As the connective tissues are poorly supplied they harden, coarsen and re-arrange into bundles which cause the appearance of the “orange peel” look. Cellulite is different from fat in that it is reluctant to respond to diet and exercise alone. Ionithermie is a specific treatment to work on areas of cellulite, and when combined with diet, exercise and home care, it is extremely effective. Ionithermie targets the stubborn cellulite areas that diet and exercise fail to reach. Cellulite Phases Phase One: The skin will show no visible signs, although bruises and cuts may be slow to heal. When pinched the skin shows a slight "orange-peel' effect. Inside the body: a general slowing down in the flow of blood through the capillaries and fluid into the lymphatic system. Phase Two: The skin will show no visible signs, except for when sitting or crossing legs. Broken capillaries and skin discoloration will be present. Bruises may appear after trivial knocks. When pinched the skin shows definite "orange-peel" effect. Inside the body: The capillaries are now weakened and breakdown under pressure from the backing of blood and excess lymph fluid. Both now seep off among the tissues, restricting circulation and lymphatic drainage further still. Phase Three: Without pinching the skin, the "orange-peel" effect or "mattress skin" appearance is present. The skin is cold to the touch with broken capillaries and bruising occurring spontaneously after trivial knocks. Inside the body: The lymph vessels are damaged and squashed by the increasing pressure, which brings fluid to a virtual standstill, causing permanent fluid retention. Protein separates out the fluid and congeals into fibers forming a meshwork around the fat cells, trapping fluid and creating a coarser "cottage cheese" effect. Phase Four: All the visible signs as in phase three, but there are large lumps of fat, encased by fibers forming even larger honeycombs called "steatomes" which distort the silhouette. When touched, the skin has hot areas among the cold. Inside the body: Fat cannot be naturally removed from the cells because of the poor blood supply, but continues to be stored in the cells. So fat increases while the fibers get thicker.
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