Cellulite is a skin condition that can affect both men and women, no matter their body size and type. Although, truth be told, women are more vulnerable to it than men are. It is one of the most common skin concerns.
It is harmless and common, but still leaves people feeling self-conscious and a bit embarrassed when they have cellulite. Especially during the summer season when most of us go on a holiday and wear a bikini or bathing suit. Then all those areas that are well known to be prone to cellulite i.e. buttock, tummy and tights become exposed.
What is exactly cellulite?
There are fibrous bands that connect your skin to the muscle fascia. These bands, also known as septae should be flexible and not rigid. However, in time, they tighten and start pulling your skin down or break it. This results in the well-known wrinkled appearance on your skin.
Even though it is a common appearance, there are several types of it:
- The first type, Grade 1 Cellulite, or commonly referred to as “orange peel” is characterized by mild and a few superficial depressions and mildly sagging skin.
- The second type, Grade 2 Cellulite, is a more moderate version that usually presents itself with five to nine semi-deep depression.
- And lastly, the third type, Grade 3 Cellulite is the most severe form of cellulite where there are several deep and very prominent depressions on your skin.
We’ve mentioned before that it is more common with women, and there’s a good reason behind it. In women, the fat cells and connective tissue in the skin are arranged vertically and this makes the cellulite more prominent. About 90% of women have cellulite in one or more parts of their body.
Cellulite causes
Scientist still haven’t determined what exactly causes cellulite, but there’s a belief that there can be numerous factors.
Hormones
Hormones are a crucial part in our overall health and well-being, so naturally they can influence the appearance of cellulite. In women, hormones such as estrogen, thyroid hormones and prolactin can all play a huge part in its formation.
Some scientists believe that the decrease of estrogen level (when a women approaches menopause) causes the blood circulation to the connective tissue under the skin to also drop. And when there’s a decreased blood flow, there’s less oxygen and less collagen production.
Aging
Skin loses its natural elasticity and firmness as we age. We can see this mostly on our faces and hands. As we age, the collagen production (which is essential in keeping our skin firm and elastic) drops and the skin becomes more susceptible to sagging.
Genetics
It is also believed that someone’s genetics can make them less or more susceptible to it. The ethnicity, metabolism and distribution of body fats are essential in cellulite formation, and these can all be predetermined by our genes.
Lifestyle and diet
You might think that (because of how cellulite is formed) it is logical that only overweight and obese people need to face this issue. Well, you can also see fit people that also have it. It can affect you, regardless of your weight and body shape. So sometimes, it just comes down to your lifestyle.
For example, people that consume a lot more carbohydrates, have a rich sodium diet, eat a lot of processed food can increase their chances of getting a more severe form of cellulite. Also, lifestyle habits such as smoking, sitting for long periods and so on, can also play a huge part, since these habits aren’t good for the overall health of your skin.
Also, our clothing choices may as well influence the formation. If you for example wear very constricting bottoms, made from non-breathable material and with a really tight waist band, you can disrupt the blood flow in your thighs and make the cellulite even more prominent.
Hopefully this information can answer some of the most basic questions about cellulite. In our next post, we will be focusing on how to eliminate it. And for additional questions, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Kotoske.
