Stealth Bomb Jeans

Oh My.  In an earlier article, we reported on a new technology, Sensory Perception™ Technology that uses a micro-encapsulation delivery system for textiles that allows fragrances or active ingredients of almost any kind to be chemically trapped inside and then released from clothing, bedding, towels or other textiles over an extended period of time. 

Yesterday, someone pointed out a novel use of this new technology aimed directly at the cellulite crowd.  Some clever marketing type decided to put tiny amounts of retinol (a derivative of vitamin A) and chitosan (from shellfish) into the micro-capsules that are then embedded into a pair of jeans.  They call this stealth bomb cocktail “skintex” and the combination of retinol and chitosan are supposed to stimulate collagen production and reduce fat.  The micro-capsules are very tiny, too small to be seen when embedded into the jeans.  When these stealth bomb jeans are worn, body heat and heat from the sun and surroundings will slowly cause the micro-capsules to break open and release their anti-cellulite chemicals to be absorbed by the wearer’s skin.  The manufacturers claim that a pair of their jeans will effectively deliver their stealth bomb payloads for 30 to 50 washings and they more you wear them the better for your baggy booty and lunar thighs.

There are plenty of skeptics, including Las Vegas plastic surgeon Jeffrey Roth.  “Prove it to me that those two drugs, if you can call it that, actually work.  And number two, prove it to me that putting it in a delivery device like a pair of jeans is actually appropriate,” Dr. Roth demanded.  Who would know better about cosmetic drugs than a Las Vegas plastic surgeon?  Of course, he might feel threatened by this cheap approach to reducing cellulite that cuts him out of the action.

But these jeans are not cheap.  MissSixty clothing company has introduced the stealth bomb anti-cellulite jeans at a chubby $139 per pair.  And, of course, no results are guaranteed.  Dr. Norman Waterhouse of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons stated, “There is no evidence that anything is better at reducing cellulite than going to the gym three times a week.”  According to dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross, “…neither of the ingredients has ever been shown by research to reduce cellulite.  And how much could there realistically be in a product that is worn?  It couldn’t be dripping medication.”  Another dermatologist, Dr. Howard Sobel, suggested “The ingredients have a better change of getting the wrinkles out of the jeans than the cellulite out of your skin.”

Doctors estimate that cellulite affects, to varying degrees, around 90% if women over 30.  Cellulite forms when the thin layer of tissue between the fat cells near the surface of the skin become more fibrous, similar to scar tissue.  These fibrous tissue areas start to pull together around the fat, causing the tiny dimples and “orange peel” skin texture typical of cellulite.  Because everyone’s body has some fat cells, even catwalk models, cellulite can strike anyone.  The formation of cellulite is closely linked to the effects of hormones in the body, especially the female sex hormones.  Though not as common, men can also develop cellulite.

What these stealth bomb jeans do demonstrate is that technology and marketing can create endless avenues for introducing chemicals into our clothing and through our clothes into our bodies.  Already, more than 8,000 different chemicals have been utilized in conventional garment manufacturing.  Now, manufacturers have an unlimited avenue for encapsulating even more chemicals that marketers can convince the eager population will make their lives better.   As chemical sensitivities are becoming a more prevalent health concern, people are realizing that when it comes to clothing, the more natural and organic the clothing is then the more healthy it is. 

Also, some doctors suspect that cellulite is a symptom of imbalance in the body - possibly of the body's inability to adequately metabolize fats.  It is far more effective and healthier to treat the imbalance which is causing the cellulite rather than using cosmetics on the symptoms.