It’s almost April. You know what that means, right? Cellulite Season.
You might not have heard of cellulite season before, but I’m sure you’ve experienced it in one way or another. Cellulite season is swimsuit season’s annual predecessor.
Every April, the media likes to run “timely” stories about cellulite. As the summer months approach, they know women are starting to grow more concerned about exposing their legs for public perusal. Women’s magazines, talk shows, even the local news –you’re likely to see segments about cellulite popping up like daisies this time of year.
Proceed with Caution: Plastic Surgeons Ahead
While I appreciate the media’s attempts to provide timely information about the dreaded blight, we need to be on guard while taking in these stories.
Most members of the media turn to dermatologists and plastic surgeons as their sources because they are easily accessible and they are thought of as credentialed experts on the subject. Yet as Dr. Lionel Bissoon points out in his book, The Cellulite Cure
As evidence of this neglect, in 2004, the American Academy of Dermatology fought against a presentation on cellulite by Dr. Mitchel Goldman at their annual national convention. Dr. Goldman argued that “American dermatologists have been ignoring cellulite, but they need to start paying attention.”1 Of course, this neglect does not affect their willingness to appear in the media to discuss cellulite. As a result, they are likely to regurgitate the same old advice every year.
How Does Media Bias Affect Cellulite Season?
I’m not saying there is a huge conspiracy going on here, but the media tends towards a few innate biases that prevent them from getting to more useful information about cellulite.
A major media bias is towards stories that are fast and easy. As any member of the media will tell you, it’s a fast-paced business. Editors are unlikely to provide an eager reporter with extra time or resources for a “fluff piece” on cellulite. This is its own type of bias, since it precludes them from investigating more complex or controversial angles to the story.
They are also biased towards providing information that is useful or entertaining –that means featuring cellulite products that are either common or bizarre. They write pieces for the woman who passes by the Nivea cellulite cream at Wal-Mart and wonder if it works. Or they try to get your attention by writing about magical anti-cellulite panties (who would stoop so low?).
A Redeeming Quality of Cellulite Season
I like cellulite season because it gives us the chance to express our shared loathing of the blight, but it’s not the time or place to look for real solutions to the complex problem of cellulite.
As Dr. Bissoon says, “Cellulite takes years to develop, and cannot be cured between May and July.” Tomorrow, we’ll discuss a case study that proves my point (hint: it involves the cellulite segment on Rachel Ray last week).
Have you noticed cellulite in the news lately? Were you satisfied with their take on the subject?
Are you battling the blight solo? Cellulite investigating is much more fun (and effective) when you're not going at it alone.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I dread shorts seasaon. Even when I'm in my best shape cellulite is still an issue. I look at picture from when I was 15 in my short shorts and there's no cellulite in site. Annoying that it just decides to pop up one day and to never go away. One thing I notice is really slender in shape women at the gym still have it on the backs of there thighs…even the younger girls, which makes me think it's just a hopeless lost cause.
No, don't give up hope! Did you catch this Cellulite Story from a CI reader? She was in shape all her life, but didn't lose her cellulite until she made certain changes to her diet.
Cellulite Stories, Declassified (Codename: Vegan Sunset)
I've heard similar stories from other women who've switched to traditional foods (as opposed to industrialized foods). It might be something in the fats or enzymes or maybes a combination of different things. More investigation is required, but it's not a lost cause!
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