Recently reader Laurie asked “Do cellulite creams actually work, and if so, can you recommend one?” I love getting questions from readers – keep them coming! Laurie, that is an excellent question. I have often wondered the same thing – do they actually work? As we’ve seen those “scandalous” (I say that with snark) images of celebrities and supermodels in their bikinis on the beach and you can see in unphotoshopped images that many have cellulite. So my initial thought was – if the people like celebrities and supermodels have access to any cream at any price that’s on the market, there must not be one that works. But yet, many people swear that they improve the look of cellulite.
This past fall when I had the opportunity to meet Daniele Henkel while in Montreal to learn about LPG Endermologie, this exact question was posed to Daniele and she explained to us where the conflict arises about cellulite creams and their effectiveness. But first, a little explanation about cellulite.
Cellulite is caused by three varying factors:
- Hormones
- Genetics
- Lifestyle
In the various layers of the skin, the outer layer is the Epidermis – we can exfoliate that skin to keep it fresh looking and eliminating dead skin cells that accumulate on it is one of the keys to anti-aging. In our youth, skin cells reproduce approximately every 28 days. As we age that process slows down and it takes about as many days to reproduce as you are in years. So if you are 50, it takes about 50 days vs the 28 days in your youth. Removing the dead skin cells from the epidermis helps to eliminate the old and “move up” the newer cells to the surface of the skin more quickly. Also by removing the dead skin cells, skincare will penetrate better into the dermis.
The second layer of the skin is called the Dermis. This is where the skin can be nourished with creams that contain intense active molecules that are small enough to penetrate the dermis. Many lower end creams, but not all of them, have molecules that are too large to penetrate the dermis. Typically more expensive creams have the smaller molecules that will penetrate the dermis.
The Hypodermis layer is the layer where cellulite is located. Fat cells are imprisoned in pockets of connective tissue called Septa. Fat cells can increase in size, which in turn will decrease blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, which in turn will decrease metabolic exchanges. The increase in fat cells will result in a pulling on the dermis and will cause the visible dimples known as cellulite.
According to Daniele Henkel and what we learned about LPG Endermologie is that creams cannot penetrate deep into the hypodermis layer of the skin to eliminate cellulite. However, creams do have ingredients in them such as caffeine, to help the temporary appearance of reduced cellulite. Also the action of rubbing the lotion in causes the blood to flow below the skin more actively, which in turn can temporarily make the appearance of cellulite less obvious.
Lipomassage by Endermologie, Cellu M6® Integral triggers the elimination of deep-seated fat tissue resistant to diet and exercise. We cannot change the genetic reason for cellulite, but the lifestyle cause can be changed according to LPG. The Cellu M6® Integral adjusts to different depths, according to what your skin needs. It can decrease the volume of the fat cells, increase blood circulation (400% in 20 minutes) and lymphatic flux (300% in 20 minutes). I know I had amazing healing results when this was used on my leg and knee area. You can read here about my Endermologie treatment.
The Cellu M6® Integral is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive device that applies mechanical stimulation to cutaneous tissues provoking a physiological response. The result is a temporary improvement in lymphatic and local blood flow circulation for improvement of skin trophicity in the treated area. This device has been widely available in Europe and is now available in the US, distributed through Daniele Henkel Corp.
Laurie, I realize that may be more of an explanation that you anticipated about cellulite and cellulite creams, but I hope it was educational as well! I know I learned so much about our skin and aging etc., while at Daniele Henkel Corp. that I want to share more about it with my readers than just a yes or no answer.
My treatments for Endermologie and trip to Daniele Henkel Corp. were sponsored by the corporation.
