Beauty may only be skin deep, but the cause of a common beauty problem may lie much deeper.
Cellulite is a serious cosmetic problem affecting an estimated 80 percent of women. It begins with the depletion of collagen and results from an excess storage of fat in the deeper skin layers beneath the connective tissue. Studies now link that process to a loss of L-Carnitine, an amino acid derivative found naturally in the skin. L-Carnitine supports the conversion of fat into energy. But as we age, it depletes, leaving us vulnerable to the development of cellulite.
New Solutions
Experts now say that L-Carnitine topically applied to the skin--especially to problem areas such as thighs, buttocks and stomach-reduces fatty acids and promotes collagen synthesis. That, in turn, helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Those findings are behind NIVEA's new Good-bye Cellulite Gel Cream and Patches, each of which is specially formulated with the skin's own L-Carnitine to battle cellulite at its core.
After two weeks of applying the cream once or twice daily, consumers noticed their skin to be firmer and smoother. After four weeks, the signs of cellulite were visibly reduced.
The cream may be used alone or with the patches, which were designed to help target the most stubborn cellulite areas that don't typically respond well to treatment.
The patches provide a continuous release of L-Carnitine onto the skin. NIVEA says wearing the patches two to three times a week for eight hours at a time will effectively treat thighs, buttocks and stomach. The company adds that within two weeks, skin will be noticeably firmer and within four weeks there will be a visible reduction in the appearance of cellulite.
The treatments have become the No. 1 anti-cellulite products in Italy, Portugal, France, Turkey, Belgium and the Netherlands, and are expected to be popular in the U.S. as well.
