We’re sure you’ve read (and talked) about it a lot. It’s something that affects us all sooner or later, to a greater or lesser extent. But we want to abolish myths and clear up any confusion: we’ll analyse cellulitis in-depth. So, here’s a test: Do you know which of the following are true and which are false?

It’s normal at this point to be pretty confused, given everything that’s been written and said about cellulitis. But we’re here to help! It’s something that worries us too, and that's why we’ve asked Mercedes Abarquero, Scientific Director at Vichy, everything that most women take as read. Is it really true that...? Get some answers!

1. CELLULITIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LACK OF EXERCISE.

“This is false. One of the main causes of cellulitis is physical inactivity. If you accompany the application of an anti-cellulite treatment with a more active lifestyle the results will be much greater.”

2. USING A LARGE QUANTITY OF AN ANTI-CELLULITE PRODUCT WILL INCREASE ITS EFFICIENCY.

“This is also false. The quantity used should be enough to allow application and enable a message with the product but, and this is important, without leaving an excess on the skin once you’re finished. This remainder, the leftovers, is not going to have any effect: it will be wasted product.”

3. FOR AN ANTI-CELLULITE PRODUCT TO WORK I HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT AND APPLY IT EVERY DAY.

“Completely true. And most importantly! The key to the treatment’s success. Remember that it was one of the points in our article 5 tips for eliminating cellulite! I would recommend using an anti-cellulite treatment all year round. It’s important to remember that cellulitis is a lipodystrophy, and that women have a higher chance of suffering from it because it is both hereditary and due to hormones, which means the structure of our fatty tissue develops differently to men’s, as well as factors that favour cellulitis such as physical inactivity, diet, etc. While we can improve the aspect of the skin, visibly reduce orange peel skin, provide a reducing effect on localised areas, etc, with anti-cellulite treatments, given that its origins are in the structure of the skin and is something we can’t change, it’s ideal to find a treatment that lets us maintain these results”.

4. APPLYING AN ANTI-CELLULITE TREATMENT LIKE A BODY CREAM IS ENOUGH.

“This is false. Adding a massage to the application of the product with increase the visible effects of the treatment. The benefits of the art of cellulite massaging are known in many cultures. Today we can all benefit from these massage techniques to rid ourselves of the most stubborn cellulite, using either manual massages or massaging equipment.

One of the best-known and most widely-used is the “palper-rouler” or sub-dermal tissue massage technique that emerged more than 50 years ago. It is a reflexology skin massage, meaning that it has a “remote” effect on a different part of the body. This massage involves rhythmically kneading and rolling the skin folds under the fingers. Finger pressure stimulates lymph circulation and flow, helping to reduce cellulite.

Hand massages promote the elimination of interstitial fluid and improve lymphatic drainage. We should bear in mind that generally, massage stimulates the absorption of the treatment’s active ingredients. It also helps to reduce the sensation of swelling and promotes the elimination of waste products and toxins.

5. CAFFEINE, WHEN USED TOPICALLY, IS A VERY EFFECTIVE ACTIVE INGREDIENT AGAINST CELLULITE.

“True! Caffeine is an active ingredient that can be obtained from various plants (coffee, cola, guarana, tea, or mate). Chemically, it is an alkaloid derived from xanthines, whose pharmaceutical properties as a stimulant have been shown in many studies. It is used topically in many anti-cellulite products due to its lipolytic, draining and stimulating action on microcirculation.”

6. IT’S BETTER TO APPLY AN ANTI-CELLULITE TREATMENT IN THE MORNING.

“This is false. When it comes to anti-cellulite treatments, consistency and routine application are important. Ideally, you should be applying it morning and night.

In some cases, products are intended to be used at night, formulated using active ingredients that enhance or recreate the effects of certain processes that only occur during this time. Lots of studies have shown that our skin, and our bodies in general, have rhythms, that is to say, certain processes that are generated, caused or occur at certain times. Therefore, knowing this chronobiology, we can formulate treatments that allow us to optimise these specific processes.”

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