We want to share with you the 4th and final part of an exclusive article for Proyar Laboratory, written by Dr. Jorge Alonso. Physician, MN 67.640, Director of the Phytomedicine postgraduate program at U.B.A. and President of the Latin American Society of Phytomedicine.
Cellulite (Part 4) See third part
Treatment
The first instance of treatment will be to correct certain aggravating or triggering factors of the process. For example, it will be recommended to avoid sedentarism starting with the performance of physical tasks that fundamentally mobilize the lower limbs. In this case, swimming, walking, cycling, athletics, etc., become excellent allies to guide the process. Avoiding alcohol, tight clothing, taking contraceptives and smoking become indispensable elements when predicting some beneficial therapeutic result. A vegetarian-type diet added to the intake of abundant liquid and the use of periodic sauna baths, undoubtedly collaborate in the elimination of toxins by the organism.
Topical preparations
Depending on the stage or degree of cellulite in which the process is found, topical preparations may or may not be successful. The earlier the approach to the problem, the greater success local use products will have. Topical preparations aim to reactivate circulation, increase elasticity and decrease the contour of affected areas. However, it will be essential to previously prepare the skin before applying products, and secondly to know very well the appropriate type of vehicle for each case.
Gentle massages with exfoliating gels or with horsehair gloves, in addition to eliminating dead cells that remain adhered to the skin, improve its appearance, and tend to activate microcirculation, avoiding edemas and favoring cellular exchange. The application of the topical product should be performed on dry skin after exfoliation and after the daily shower, since this achieves greater opening of the skin pores, making them more receptive to the absorption of active ingredients.
Microcirculation activators
In these cases, venotonic preparations are useful since by improving venous tone and return they decrease the extravasation of liquids and fluids, behaving in turn as anti-edematous. Plants such as horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus), gotu kola (Centella asiatica), sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), ivy (Hedera helix) and grapevine (Vitis vinifera) can help a lot in this aspect.
Regarding ivy, it is a climbing plant native to Europe, being widely distributed in temperate regions, especially Asia (from India to Japan) and North Africa. It is well known in syrup form as an antitussive and slightly expectorant. It presents triterpenic saponins (hederacosides and hederins) with venoconstrictor and anti-edematous properties. Beyond its microcirculation activating properties, the saponins in its leaves have been shown to facilitate skin absorption and diffusion of other active ingredients; while hederin (one of its main saponins) has demonstrated lipolytic ("fat burning") properties, aided by the presence of iodine. From all this it follows that Hedera helix is widely used in aesthetic medicine, especially in venous circulatory disorders and on cellulitic nodules, being combined with Centella asiatica.
Different studies carried out on women affected by cellulite and treated with creams and soaps containing 10% Hedera helix extracts over the course of a month of treatment (on average), yielded highly significant results, especially in the area corresponding to thighs.
Regarding Centella asiatica, it is another climbing plant native to subtropical areas of India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Iran, Malaysia, Laos and Vietnam. Its main components are the triterpenoid saponins asiaticoside and madecassic acid. The part used are the leaves, which proved to be one of the most effective weapons against mild to moderate cellulite cases. Among the proposed mechanisms of action, it was possible to determine in human embryonic cell culture media that purified extracts of Centella asiatica produce a stimulus in the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, especially hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate (which restore architecture to tissue).
Lipolytic agents
These are products that act on adipose tissue reducing lipid deposits located in adipocytes. In this group, methylxanthines (caffeine, theophylline, theobromine), non-hormonal iodinated compounds and L-carnitine stand out. We find methylxanthines for example in cocoa, green tea, coffee, cola nut, guarana and yerba mate. Caffeine obtained from these plants is mainly used topically due to its high affinity with epidermal cells, having very good penetration. It is the most active of the methylxanthines, also exerting a thermogenic effect useful in these cases.
Among the iodinated compounds of non-hormonal nature, potassium iodide and algae extracts such as Fucus vesiculosus stand out. They are used to trigger lipolysis in adipocytes. It is known that mineral salts, and especially iodine, produce lipolysis through the activation of the lipase enzyme, along with an increase in osmotic exchanges, which causes elimination of retained fluids. Another lipolytic agent is the species Myrica cerifera.
Other useful agents
These are compounds that can activate peripheral circulation in the affected area, temperature and local metabolism. Among them, menthol, camphor, methyl salicylate, some essential oils and alpha-tocopherol stand out. Another group are the so-called depolymerizers, such as thiomucase or hyaluronidase which can be useful. Phosphatidylcholine and retinol behave as cellular regenerating agents. Papain (from papaya) is a good fibrinolytic agent. All can be combined with the previously described agents.
