Anti-cellulite reduction sales generate 100’s of millions of dollars annually. But it’s so rare, extremely rare, that any lady, skinny or overweight, ever experiences definite cellulite removal as a result of buying and using any of these anti-cellulite items. The few that do see any changes are the ones who were advised to add ‘toning exercises’ as part of their cellulite reduction regimen. But not even all of these females get the results they were promised – after blowing their hard earned cash on a cleverly marketed anti-cellulite product or treatment regimen. Skepticism grows with each failed attempt at cellulite elimination. It’s a sad psychological game of cat and mouse where the cat rarely – if ever, actually catches the proverbial mouse (woman never gets rid of her lower body cellulite bumps). Here’s how the scheme works: A woman’s burning desire to get rid of cellulite leads her to seek out a cellulite solution. Her first choice is a cream or lotion which is ‘intended to support’ skin health “and reduce the appearance of cellulite”. She tries it faithfully for 5 or 6 weeks – and sees no improvements at all. She faces the fact that she wasted her money on a bad product. Then she comes across a brand of “toxin flushing” pills that can get rid of skin dimples and bumps. She thinks she has finally found her magic solution. And in a fit of mild desperation she spends the $50, takes the anti-cellulite ’supplement’ for a full 4 weeks – and, to her dismay – he cellulite is still there. She angrily chalks up another victory to the clever marketing lingo of the company selling the ineffective pills. Then she sees an ad for some local spa treatment called CelluMeltz that “helps to flush out the bumpy fat – and tighten uneven skin layers”. Its pretty expensive, and she has to go 3 times a week for at least 2 months. But the fake before and after photos make it hard for her to ignore the possible cure to her cellulite problem areas. So she signs up for the series of treatment appointments, jacks up her credit cards a bit, and does the two month plan. After the two month series – and making it to every scheduled treatment session – her butt, thighs and lower stomach still look the same. She is now embarrassed. Embarrassed at the amount of money she has wasted – and at the number of times she has been duped. Her skepticism reaches an even higher level. And its really going to take some sneaky, bait and switch marketing to take advantage of her in the future. But she still wants to get rid of her cellulite as it affects many areas of her life. So, secretly, she keeps looking. She researches liposuction for cellulite reduction – only to come away even more confused by learning that liposuction can actually make the appearance of cellulite worse – and even cause the lumps and bumps to appear on ladies who never even had cellulite before. She remembers hearing that exercising is ’supposed to get rid of lower body cellulite fat’. Some of her friends said it does – others told her it can’t. She decides she has nothing to lose by working out for a few weeks to see what happens to her trouble spots. For about 8 weeks she is dedicated and motivated. Circuit training three times a week, cardio exercise four times a week, toning class twice a week. She feels good – but to her despair – the cellulite has not made it’s departure. And her skeptical relationship with cellulite reduction methods reaches an all time high. Her defenses are up and she vows not to be taken again. She thinks its just “something she’ll have to deal with and live with” because she remembers someone telling her this nonsense; “it’s genetic and there’s nothing you can do about it…” Truth is – she was “oh so close” when she decided to give the ‘exercise method’ a faithful try. The problem was that she tried to get rid of her cellulite with a general fitness program which simply can’t work. The type of program that will work for her is one that is specifically targeted at the muscle layers directly beneath her cellulite zones. A general fitness program is great for basic, overall health and wellness. But it does not zero in on the trouble spots of the typical female who is trying to change the muscle tone in her problem areas. However, when she does follow a cellulite-specific exercise program, a program based on proven, scientific principles of anatomy and exercise physiology – she is able to stimulate changes in muscle tone and firmness – that directly affect the outside appearance of the skin. The end result being a ‘tightening and smoothing effect’ of the skin that lies directly on top of the muscles it is attached to via flexible connective tissue. A properly structured anti-cellulite workout can deliver desired improvements – but it does take a little effort. This is a far cry from swallowing pills – or rubbing some lotion or moisturizer cream on your trouble spots. So, truth be told. Yes – you absolutely need to be skeptical, and sometimes vigilant, about cellulite reduction products and treatment services. The companies behind these offers know your pain and they know you’ll spend money trying to get rid of your pain. Sometimes the burden of exposure falls onto the shoulders of unsuspecting women who have been cheated and scammed into wasting good money on a product or procedure that has never been proven to deliver promised results. The F.T.C. and the F.D.A. need to hear from women who’ve been misled and cheated – since they can only act on post-market reports from product purchasers and users.