All of us want to look and feel attractive. Some of us are more concerned with this than others. However, we live in a society that values beauty. We have no control over our genetics. We can only work with cards we’ve been dealt. Whether it’s a pudgy stomach or big thighs, almost everyone has a body part they would like to improve. Even celebrities, who are seen as the pinnacle of beauty, are known for being insecure. Many people will diet; have surgery and work out to fix these “imperfections.” Cellulite is one of the most common complaints by those individuals who want to improve their bodies in some way. However, many of the beliefs held about cellulite aren’t true. Perception is reality. If people think that something is real, then it is. This has happened many times throughout history, so why shouldn’t it be the same when it comes to cellulite? Let’s set the record straight on some of the most prevalent myths concerning cellulite once and for all.
When we are waiting in line at the supermarket and reading the various tabloids, we come across photos of bikini-clad celebrities with cellulite. These celebrities are almost always women. This leads us to the first myth about cellulite, that it only affects women. This is clearly not true. Cellulite is caused by fatty deposits under the skin. These deposits cause a dimpled look that people have come to strongly dislike. Fat is not gender specific and therefore men can have cellulite. The problem is that magazines cater to women with cellulite and only show pictures of women with cellulite. This causes society as a whole to think that cellulite only impacts women. This is also the case with breast cancer. When people think of this form of cancer they almost always think of women and not men. Let’s move on to the next myth about cellulite.
Many have preached that drinking water and exercising will result in less cellulite or none at all. This is simply not true. As was discussed earlier, genetics play a large role when it comes to whether or not you have cellulite. This means that you could be morbidly obese and not have cellulite because it doesn’t run in your family. On the other hand you could be skinny as a rail and have cellulite on your thighs. You never know. Water doesn’t impact this whatsoever. Drinking water has many positive health effects. Reducing or preventing cellulite isn’t one of them. Working out is a half-truth. It can reduce your body fat, which may reduce your chances of having cellulite. However, if your genetics point to cellulite, it may not matter.
Food isn’t the answer either. Many people swear by certain foods. They think that if you eat a specific diet, you can ward off the unsightly appearance known as cellulite. The problem is that there have been no conclusive scientific studies showing this to be true. The bottom line is that eating healthy is good for your health, but not necessarily for preventing or treating cellulite.
