Cellulite is the lumpy substance resembling cottage cheese that is commonly found on the thighs, stomach, and butt. Cellulite is actually a fancy name for collections of fat that push against the connective tissue beneath a person's skin, which causes the surface of the skin to dimple or pucker and look lumpy.
Cellulite is more prominent in women than in men due to the structural differences of stored fat between the sexes. The connective tissues that create these storage units in men works on diagonals, where as women store fat in a large vertical honeycomb like structure. This structural form enhances the appearance of the dimples.
Cellulite can be caused by situations like obesity and pregnancy. People hold an idea that slim or skinny women can not have cellulite, but this is not the actual fact. Slim and slender women are also equally troubled by their cellulite deposits.
What Causes Cellulite?
Several factors influence whether a person has cellulite and how much they have. These factors are:
- Lifestyle: Lack of exercise, stress, smoking, and insufficient water intake can cause poor lymphatic flow and poor blood circulation, each of which has been associated with the increased appearance of cellulite. An inactive or sedentary lifestyle can also adversely affect blood circulation, as well as the venous and lymphatic systems. Without movement, the stagnant venous blood and lymphatic fluids exert pressure and stretch the veins and lymph vessels. Over-stretched veins and vessels are prone to poor circulation, leaking, and fluid retention.
- Diet: Consuming foods such as all sorts of fatty meat, fried, grilled and other processed foods, salty foods, caffeine, alcohol, as well as junk foods and foods with great amounts of chemical additives has been linked to accumulation of toxins in various parts of the body. As a result, some toxins get stored in fatty tissues and cause the occurrence of cellulite.
- Heredity & Genetics: The predisposition to cellulite seems to be genetically inherited. Chances of developing cellulite can be traced from generation to generation, indicating genetic factors influencing the structure and composition of fat and dermal tissues may be at play.
- Age: As the tone and condition of the skin declines with age, its ability to aid in the nutrition and regeneration process for underlying tissues also declines.
- Hormones: Since cellulite is primarily a female problem, it is commonly believed that estrogen and progesterone hormone levels play a significant role. Estrogen plays a large part in determining the number and location of fat cells in the body. It encourages fat cells to develop and grow around the breasts, thighs, and buttocks. Progesterone can lead to fluid retention, weak veins, and weight gain. In ways that are not yet fully understood, both estrogen and progesterone can stimulate the development of cellulite.
How can Cellulites be removed?
There are several therapies that have been suggested to remove cellulite, but none have been supported in the scientific or medical literature. Here are some methods:
- Physical and mechanical methods: This includes ultrasound, thermotherapy, pressotherapy (pneumatic massaging in the direction of the circulation), lymphatic drainage (massage technique to stimulate lymphatic flow) and electrolipophoresis (application of a low frequency electric current). These treatments have no proven results, and may only create short lasting effects.
- Pharmacological agents: Any number of drugs that act on fatty tissue have been tried as therapeutic agents. Certain drugs act on the fatty tissue and connective tissue and on the microcirculation. They can be used topically, systemically, or transdermally. Some of these include methylxanthines (caffeine and theobromine), pentoxifylline, alpha-antagonists, ginkgo biloba, rutin, and Indian chestnut among others. No independent scientific study or peer-reviewed literature has shown that pharmacological treatment has any significant effect on cellulite.
- Compression garments: Clinical studies have found that compression garments, or shapewear garments, can help reduce the appearance of cellulite on the skin, but do nothing to help the condition itself.
- Changing lifestyle factors: Eating a healthful, balanced diet and exercising may be the best way to reduce the fat content in cells and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Don't expect miracles too soon. Allow 4 to 6 weeks of diet and exercise and then check your cellulite. You should see a big difference, but rarely will 100% disappear.
What are the myths around cellulite?
There are various myths also cellulites which are needed to be addressed. Some of the common ones are:
- Cellulite only happens to overweight women: Cellulite results from the skin losing its elasticity and firmness. This allows fluids and fat deposits into the lower layers of the skin and is not the result of being overweight. While losing weight may reduce body fat, it does not correct or eliminate cellulite. Even very slim women can have cellulite on their thighs, buttocks and hips.
- Cellulite is hereditary: Cellulite is influenced by several factors including your genes, gender, and amount of fat on your body and the thickness of your skin. For example, thinner skin and excess body fat makes cellulite more visible.
- Young women never have cellulite: Cellulite can develop as early as puberty but is not easily noticed due to the suppleness of young skin.
- Cellulite is a natural part of aging: In most people, the appearance of cellulite worsens with age. This does not mean, however, that younger people do not get cellulite. Indeed, cellulite often starts to develop at a young age. Left untreated, this condition worsens in appearance as the person ages.
- Cellulite won't get any worse: If you don't take action against cellulite it will get worse over time, especially as the skin continues to lose its firmness and elasticity.
- Dieting and Exercise Can Get Rid of Cellulite: Dieting and exercise does help reduce the appearance of cellulite, however, it does not get rid of them. Unlike regular fat, the fat in cellulite is trapped in a mesh of fibrous connective tissue. This effectively prevents your body's metabolism from burning these fat cells.
- Only Women Get Cellulite: While it's true that a significant majority of women (up to 90% by some statistics) get cellulite, men are not immune. Indeed, a form of cellulite that occurs on the front thighs seem to be present in men and women in equal proportions.
Keep in mind that your lifestyle does play an important role. If you are living like a slob and not eating right, you are making your cellulite appear much worse. Proper nutrition combined with an exercise routine is the best way to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Knowing this, you can treat cellulite and look your best.
