Here are some questions about cellulite that need to be answered by more research. Each of these questions is a research project. To read more about the treatment of celluite, see Peter T. Pugliese, MD's, article in the August 2008 issue of Skin Inc. magazine: "A New Look at Cellulite, Part II."
- Why do some women not get cellulite?
- Why do only a small percentage of Asian women not get cellulite?
- What is the mechanism of MMPs attacking connective tissue in specific areas?
- How can we best prevent menstrual cycling from destroying nonuterine tissue?
- Why does estrogen appear to precipitate autoimmune reactions? How?
- How can we boost collagen production safely and for a lifetime?
- Are all fibroblast the same all over the body?
- Do specific populations of fibroblasts respond to specific hormones?
- Why is there no biological feedback mechanism to correct cellulite?
- Hormones are potent biological compounds with multiple effects—how much do we really know about them?
- We should look carefully at the relationship among estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, fat metabolism, neurological integrity and carbohydrate metabolism. Although a great deal is known, we have a long way to go.
- Finally, what are the biological variations relating to cellulite in the various ethnic groups, not just Asians. Cellulite is a disease that may represent a springboard to understanding many of the biological problems relating to both aging and cancer.