Cellulite Creams and Caffeine

Beauty in Seattle on Aug 21, 2006

Many products that claim to remove cellulite list caffeine as the active ingredient. Sounds strange, I know, but there is a distant logic to this.

Caffeine is used as a natural version of aminophylline, a vasodilator used in asthma medications. Without getting into the specifics, which are complicated, the claim was made based on a study that concluded the aminophylline causes lipolysis or a reduction in fat cells fat in the area to which it is applied. Unfortunately the methodology for interpreting the results is slightly suspect at worst and sloppy at best.

Having firsthand knowledge of cellulite (what woman doesn’t?), I don’t really believe any of the cellulite removal claims. I know for a fact that I have more cellulite when I weigh more and have more body fat and that I have less cellulite when I weigh less and have less body fat. Simple cause and effect. Lose weight and lose the cellulite.

I hate to say it, but at the moment that’s all there is folks. Just like with weight loss, there is no quick fix. But I sure wish there was. I still need to lose a few of those pregnancy pounds and that lovely cellulite too.

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Last modified 2009-Aug-28