Though 90% of ladies have cellulite, now we have yet to see it represented as a traditional anatomical feature in popular culture. For example, in Greta Gerwig’s 2023 Hollywood blockbuster, Stereotypical Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, develops dimples on her upper thigh as a part of an existential crisis – together with other human flaws comparable to halitosis, flat feet, and uncontrollable thoughts of death.
When Stereotypical Barbie asks the Weird Barbie doll what dimples are, she explains: “It’s cellulite. This will spread in every single place. Then you begin getting sad, clumsy, and complex. Barbie’s perfect, smooth plastic perfection is ruined.
Despite its commonness, cellulite has been constructed as a defect requiring correction. Consumers appear to agree, especially in the event that they are fed a eating regimen Photoshop smoothed out the skin models, social media influencers and Hollywood stars.
Cellulite often occurs in areas where there’s a greater amount of subcutaneous fat, when fat deposits break through the connective tissue under the skin, causing lumps to form. It’s common often painless and harmless.
Human skin is the largest organ of the body, composed of three layers. On the surface, the epidermis is our first line of defense against the environment. This outermost, impermeable layer consists of cells that consistently renew and exfoliate, protecting our body from external aspects.
Beneath the epidermis is the dermis – a solid layer containing fibroblasts – cells chargeable for the production of essential proteins comparable to collagen and elastin. These proteins provide structure and elasticity, contributing to the strength and elasticity of the skin.
Even deeper is the subcutaneous tissue, also called the hypodermis. This layer is wealthy in adipose tissue – consisting mainly of fat, which plays a key role in cushioning and insulating the body, in addition to storing fat that might be used when needed. Underneath these three layers of skin are muscles. They run from the muscles to the dermis bands of connective tissuewhich keeps fat tissue in “pockets”.
Cellulite doesn’t affect your health, although some people say it affects them self-esteem and body image but it has more to do with societal pressure on women to be physically perfect – or to spend money, time and energy attempting to be as near perfection as possible.
Cellulite has subsequently grow to be big business in the cosmetics industry. Especially in the run-up to summer, corporations will promote themselves every kind of products from creams and serums to gadgets and pills, all to create perfectly smooth limbs. The hottest query appears to be, “Do these treatments work?” but as an anatomist, I believe the more pressing query is, “Why are healthy women’s bodies considered something that needs to be treated, cured, or corrected?”
The beauty and wellness industry has long benefited from societal beauty standards. The concept that cellulite is undesirable and must be improved it has been occurring since Vogue magazine was first the first magazine in English use the term “cellulite” and introduce this idea to hundreds of ladies. This marketing strategy acknowledges the insecurities of consumers, especially women, and promotes the never-ending pursuit of “perfection” for bodies with normal anatomical variability.
By treating cellulite as a condition requiring treatment, corporations can sell a wide selection of products and services, backed by celebrity endorsements that add credibility and aspirational value to pseudo-medical “smoothing” products. However, there is proscribed scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of those supplements in treating cellulite. In fact, first scientific work on cellulite, published in 1978, called it “the so-called cellulite: an invented disease.
The latest product launches include: Give me smooth, Kourtney Kardashian-Barker’s newest addition to her vitamin and complement lineup. The product’s promotional materials state that the capsule “visibly reduces cellulite in 28 days.” But what does science tell us?
Supplements like Lemme Smooth improve skin texture and reduce cellulite from the inside. The Kardashian-Barker complement incorporates a mix French cantaloupe melonhyaluronic acid, chromium and vitamin C. The body’s ability to soak up and use these ingredients in a way that affects cellulite remains to be a matter of debate.
There is evidence of this swallowed hyaluronic acid can migrate into the skin, stimulating collagen production in the dermis – and vitamin C has been shown to thicken the top layer skin. However, the lack of standardization in testing the use of those ingredients to treat cellulite means it remains to be unclear whether they may have a curative effect. significant effect.
Other products marketed to scale back the appearance of cellulite include topical creams and lotions containing ingredients comparable to caffeine, retinol and herbal extracts. Cosmetic products are unable to penetrate the epidermis enough to significantly affect the underlying fat deposits and connective tissue.
Some invasive treatments, e.g laser therapy, subcutaneous therapy and acoustic wave therapy may give more promising results. These treatments work by breaking down the bands of connective tissue that cause dimples and stimulating collagen production in the dermis to enhance skin elasticity. Although these methods could also be more practicalthey are often expensive, require multiple sessions to realize results – and are not without risks.
Maintaining a healthy eating regimen, drinking loads of water, and exercising recurrently may help improve the overall appearance of your skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Losing weight and strengthening the muscles in your legs, buttocks and stomach may make cellulite less visible, but it won’t make it disappear. disappear completely.
The most significant thing, nevertheless, is that cellulite doesn’t should be treated. It’s a traditional anatomical variation that has been transformed right into a disease fueling a lucrative drug market that do not exist.
My top expert tip in the run-up to summer? Beware of claims from cosmetic corporations and save your money.