blood supply. By increasing the moisture of the affected area, the overall appearance of the cellulite can be temporarily
reduced. When you look at cellulite, you are seeing not only the dimpling effect, you are also seeing the damaged, dry
skin that accompanies it and even perpetuates the condition. If you can treat this dryness and damage, the appearance
of the cellulite will be minimized. However, the damage itself, and the buoyant fat cells within the skin, will remain only
partially treated. As you know, to completely address cellulite and stretch marks, we need to treat them from the inside
as well as the outside.

Very often, topical creams dehydrate the affected area of wasted water over several weeks or months of use. The
effect of this is that the thigh that houses the cellulite does, for a brief period of time, become smaller. By association,
we feel that the condition has improved as well. Have you ever heard a sales pitch for a cellulite treatment that begins,
"Our product can solve cellulite by actually decreasing the diameter of your thigh by one inch!"? As you now know, the
size of your body has no effect on the cellulite that is present. In actuality, while removing wasted water can
temporarily decrease the size of the area treated and help to forestall future damage and exacerbation of dimpling, it
does not actually repair and reverse cellulite. Also, any size that was lost will be replaced as soon as you drink water.

While topical cellulite remedies can be very beneficial, they have little effect if used alone. Creams cannot actually
penetrate the dermis where much of the damage is. Creams and lotions generally reach only the epidermis, or top
layer of skin. Many cellulite treatments are largely unsuccessful because they target only the external appearance of
cellulite. They are unable to completely fight the damage where it lives. Now that you understand that the dimpling on
the surface of the skin is merely a symptom of the underlying cause, you can see how banishing lumps and bumps
requires deeper-acting treatments in addition to topical ones.

To really turn back the clock and reverse the damage, you must reach farther than just skin deep. That is where
internal remedies and technology make all of the difference. I recommend going beyond simple topical remedies and
utilizing science and nature's entire arsenal to combat cellulite and stretch marks. My concept of Technoceuticals
includes a combination of effective topical remedies with technologically advanced treatments and formulas that can
produce visible results. I incorporate nutritional supplements and a diet rich in foods that provide the essential elements
to repair damage. This all-inclusive approach is the only truly effective method of treating and repairing cellulite and
stretch marks.

There are nine different avenues by which cellulite and stretch marks can be effectively repaired. In this chapter I
highlight each of these methods and then describe which of them various cellulite remedies are employing. Some
attack cellulite through more than one of these channels, some through none. Remember, these methods work in
conjunction with each other. The more of them that you employ, the more success you will have in reducing, preventing
and even eliminating your cellulite.

Nine Ways of Treating Cellulite

1. Strengthen blood vessels/increase blood flow
2. Encourage the production of connective tissue
3. Stimulate the production of collagen and elastin
4. Attract water to the cells
5. Repair cell membranes
6. Reduce wasted water
7. Prevent free-radical damage
8. Reduce inflammation
9. Promote exfoliation

Any ingredient that does not accomplish one of the nine goals cannot help your cellulite in any real way.