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What Does, Doesn't Help With Cellulite?

POSTED: 5:15 p.m. EDT May 20, 2003

There are many creams and high-tech machines on the market that claim to Get rid of unwanted cellulite, but what works and what doesn't?

Medical experts say little can be done to help the millions of women who have it because doctors say no one knows what causes it.

Another problem is, unlike other fat cells that live deep below the skin, cellulite is a very thin layer of fat that sits close to the surface that is virtually impossible to eliminate

Cellulite creams have been around for a while and they promise to slim down and smooth out skin, so we decided to put two new ones to the test.

Catharine Uyenoyama of Boston had a baby nine months ago. She has lost all of the baby weight, but believes she has two trouble spots on her thighs. She has been slathering on Sheishedo Body Creator that promises to shrink almost two inches of treated areas.

It's secret weapon? Grapefruit and caffeine.

"I used it faithfully for almost a month, every morning and about two weeks into using the product, I thought maybe there's a little bit of a change, then when we measured now there was a small change," said Uyenoyama.

We asked intern Kenzie Stroud to try out another, Avon's Cellusculpt,

And three weeks later, Stroud said, "It made my butt and thighs a little firmer and my skin smoother."

A dermatologic surgeon said often times patients can see a reduction with creams because of caffeine, a stimulant and a main ingredient in most. The moisture base that caffeine provides actually pushes out puckered areas in addition to sealing in moisture.

Machines may also be a way to do away with the dimples. The endromology machine, originally from Europe, has two rollers moving in different directions that actually knead away flab.

The technician said it doesn't get rid of fat because it's not invasive. It just smoothes out the appearance and tones and firms the skin.

Clients, who can afford the $100 sessions, swear by it.

But the wave of the future in cellulite treatment may be a device called Thermage. While it's not available to the public yet, this gadget uses an electrical current that in theory melts the cellulite away.

Experts warn that to date there are no cellulite remedies that give permanent results. So it's important to remember, you have to keep up the treatments to keep off the cellulite.

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