Media imagery and commentary is probably far more responsible for how we feel about ourselves than we think. From social media posts by rail-thin celebrities living fabulous lives to news headlines about someone “flaunting a bikini bod”, you can’t log on or pick up a magazine without being confronted by unrealistic words and pictures.

When you get specific about cellulite news, things go from unrealistic to blatantly untrue. When we first started busting cellulite headlines four years ago, it was easy. Just about every headline was false, sensationalist or otherwise misleading.

Fortunately, some things have changed. But, unfortunately, some things haven’t.

The Good, Bad & Ugly of Cellulite Headlines

We took a look at some recent headlines for news stories related to cellulite. Some were very encouraging, some were not, and some were potentially dangerous. 

The Good

What is the #normalizenormalbodies movement, and why do we need it? If there is one thing that’s prevalent today that was nowhere to be found four years ago, it's the changing attitudes towards cellulite on social media. We told you about body positivity and Demi Lovato getting #celluLIT.

The good news today is that the wave of more realistic body images keeps rolling across social media, this time with yet another trending hashtag.

The Bad

This Small Massaging Device Is Like a Vacuum for Cellulite - Whether it’s anti-cellulite creams, brushes or other devices, there’s a multi-billion industry around selling products to help you get rid of, or “vacuum”, your cellulite. You can’t get rid of cellulite. It's perfectly natural and is not a sign of anything wrong with you. But this article says that, if you buy this massager, “with daily and regular use, you might even see your cellulite totally disappear!”

The Ugly

4 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Cellulite Before Summer - Where do we begin? The offensive imagery? The “say goodbye to those pesky bumps” subheadline? The fact that medical websites recommend that you consult your doctor before taking one of the recommended solutions, gotu kola?

Yes, we could start with any of those. But here’s what's really dangerous about headlines like this. They create unrealistic expectations that could cause readers to adopt unhealthy habits, including their diet. You can’t get rid of cellulite. Trying to do so in three months can be unhealthy.

Want to find out about reducing cellulite the right way? Check out our article “The 3 Most Important Things You Can Do to Reduce Cellulite”.