Cellulite
THE UP-TO-DATE FACTS ON A WORD THAT MAY CHANGE YOUR LIFE (and could certainly change your shape!)
THIS report is of concern to every woman who is interested in her figure — not so much concerned with how much she weighs as how attractive her shape is, says ALIX KRISTA.
It outlines an approach familiar to women in France and Germany, but which has received hardly any attention here. The key word is CELLULITE (‘sell-you-leet’).
From their teens upwards, countless women suffer and despair as they diet and lose weight, but retain the same measurements.
They lose precious inches round the bust, but find their slacks becoming tighter. They sweat and lose energy in strenuous exercise.
But all they ever really lose is temporary water. All they ever gain is muscle, which they don’t want.
It’s because the complaint from which they suffer is cellulite.
The French have established the existence of two types of excess flesh. First, there is obesity, which consists of a fatty build-up, usually evenly distributed over the body. Second, there is cellulite. The root of the trouble is faulty circulation. It is most visible on the outside and back of the thighs, hips and buttocks.
The rest of the body may usually be quite slim, causing that distressing pear-shaped figure so common among Englishwomen.
Cellulite has a number of causes. often it is hormonal. Stress, overwork or lassitude and depression may also play a part.
So, what to do? Massage is always prescribed in the form of first gentle, then intensifying, manual kneading, pinching and wringing of the flesh. This should be done daily in short, frequent bouts.
Anti- cellulite creams are now available, based on seaweed or ivy extract. There is also a rubber massage glove (by Flugina) and a loofah-like mitt to use in the bath.
In the past couple of years, an agent called TA3 — the anti-cellulite hormone — has been isolated and manufactured. Laboratory tests have proved that TA3, directly injected, increases the combustion of fatty cells by almost 50 per cent. It is not yet available in Britain.
In the meantime, though, start fighting cellulite today.
Recognise the enemy! It’s the first step to defeating him!