Cellulite is a very common skin condition that causes lumpy and dimpled flesh on the affected skin area usually in the thighs, buttocks, hips, and abdomen. This harmless skin issue is more prevalent in women than men and mostly associated with an excessive fat gain in the body. Though there are medical treatments available for curing the cellulite skin condition but they do not provide an immediate and long-lasting effect.
Many people manage to reduce this condition with the help of natural remedies like exercising, massaging, weight loss, and the application of creams that claim to improve the appearance of cellulite. Though this issue is not developed by the toxins buildup under your skin area still positive effects can be seen by incorporating a healthy lifestyle routine which not only helps in reducing this skin condition but also prevents its growth risk especially in people who come under the high-risk group.
Some special exercise and diet plan help in improving the appearance of cellulite. People who mostly consume excessive fat, carbs and salt and very less amount of fiber are more likely to develop this skin condition than others who follow a balanced diet routine with lots of fiber intake. In this article we are going to share some important facts about this harmless still annoying skin condition as it impacts the skin appearance, that you need to know.
What is Cellulite?
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Cellulite is a lumpy and uneven skin formation that mainly occurs in areas having too much fat like breasts, thighs, hips, buttocks, and abdomen. As per the Trusted Source, this skin condition affects 80 to 90 percent of all women around the world in varying degrees at some or other point in time of their lives. Women are more common victims of this issue than men because of different muscle, fat, and connective tissue distribution in their bodies.
This skin condition develops when the skin overlying certain areas of it is pulled back to the downside in the deeper tissues by the connective tissue bands. Resulting in an uneven surface appears. Cellulite is also known as orange-peel skin, cottage-cheese skin, the mattress phenomenon, and hail damage.
Grades of Cellulite
As per the severity scale, the cellulite skin condition is divided into three grades such as-
- Grade 1- It is the mild stage of this skin condition in which the appearance of your skin will be like orange-peel with slightly sagging and between 1 and 4 superficial depressions.
- Grade 2- At this particular stage the skin condition remains moderate. The affected person has between 5 and 9 medium depth depressions. The skin looks like cottage-cheese and remains moderately draped.
- Grade 3- This stage comes under the severe conditions in which the skin appears like a mattress with 10 or more depressions and it will be severely draped.
Symptoms
The cellulite skin condition appears like a dimpled or bumpy skin surface. Its texture gives it a look of an orange peel or cottage-cheese like an uneven appearance. You can easily notice the mild cellulite if you even pinch slightly in the affected skin area that mostly includes thighs, buttocks, hips, and abdomen.
The cellulite that remains more severe in nature, the skin appears bumpy and rumpled with peaks and valleys. Though thighs and buttocks are the most common places of cellulite growth but it can also be found in breasts, upper arms, and lower abdomen. This skin condition is more common in women than in men.
Causes
The exact reason behind the growth of cellulite skin condition is unknown however, it occurs as a result of an interaction between your connective tissue in the dermatological layer that exists below the skin surface and the fat layer that lies just below the upper skin surface. The fat cell and connective tissue existing in this layer remain vertically arranged in women. When the fat cells protrude into the skin layer it causes cellulite appearance growth.
This tissue arrangement remains in the criss-cross form in the men that is why they are less likely to develop cellulite with a comparison to women. Some most crucial factors that are associated with the growth of cellulite skin condition are mentioned below-
Hormonal Changes
Hormones play an important role in the growth of cellulite. With aging changes in hormonal level increases a lot. Hormones that play an important role in the production of cellulite include estrogen, thyroid, insulin, noradrenaline, and prolactin.
Estrogen hormone that reduces along with the initiation of the menopause stage in women leads to a reduction in the blood supply to the connective tissues under the skin area leading to cellulite development. As a result of less blood supply in this area these tissues get a lesser amount of oxygen that is needed for enough amount of collagen production.
Also this causes an enlargement in the fat cells along with the drop in estrogen levels in the body. As collagen is the most vital protein needed for the firm and healthy texture of your skin so its reduction in tissue leads to the growth of cellulite appearance.
All of these factors lead to fat deposition more visible. The dimpling effect on the skin surface appears because the fat under the skin surface protrudes through the weak connective tissue. Apart from these factors with aging your skin is likely to sag, as it loses its elasticity and gets thinner. This increases the risk of cellulite growth in the most prominent areas of the body.
Genetics
Genetics play a role in the growth of cellulite skin issue. Certain genes are needed for the development of cellulite. So people with these genes are more susceptible to grow cellulite problems. Genetics also plays its role in deciding the metabolism speed, fat distribution under the skin, circulatory levels, and ethnicity in a person. All these genetic factors contribute to the growth of cellulite.
Diet and Lifestyle
What you eat and the way you lead your lifestyle play an important role in reducing your risk of cellulite development, in spite of the fact that this skin condition is not caused by toxins.
This is the reason people who eat excessive carbohydrates, fat and salt, and very less amount of fiber dense foods have a greater risk of developing cellulite. Apart from this the cellulite skin condition is more prevalent in people who smoke a lot, those who lead a sedentary lifestyle or who do not exercise at all, or those who are in a profession or habitually sit or stand in one position for a longer duration.
Those who wear tight underwear with elastic across the buttocks, obstruct their blood flow to this area resulting in the cellulite forms here over time.
Excessive Body Weight
People who have excessive body fat or obese are more prevalent to develop the cellulite skin condition. This is because the fat accumulation remains high in the areas of the body where this skin condition forms like thighs, buttocks, hips, and lower abdomen. However even slim people can also develop this skin condition. Generally cellulite occurs after the age of 25 but it may affect young age people as well including adolescents.
Risk Factors
Women come in the high-risk group as far as cellulite skin condition growth is concerned. In many cases women develop cellulite just after their puberty. The reason behind this is that in women’s body fat is usually distributed in their thighs, hips, and buttocks which are the most common areas for cellulite development.
With age too, the risk factor of developing cellulite increases as skin loses its normal elasticity. Hence sag and develops uneven lumpy appearance on the skin surface.
Along with the weight gain the cellulite starts getting more noticeable. However, even some lean people can also develop cellulite. This skin condition runs in families that means if any parent has this skin problem their children have a high risk of developing this skin condition at some or other point in time of their lives.
During pregnancy when women are likely to gain excess fat and live a more sedentary lifestyle they have a risk to grow this skin condition. Also, people who live an inactive lifestyle have a greater risk of developing cellulite.
Treatment
There are many therapies suggested in the medical field for the removal of cellulite however none of them are scientifically confirmed or backed by researches.
There are a good number of techniques received by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) that helps in improving the appearance of cellulite skin condition through breaking the bands of connective tissue existing under the skin surface.
Among different available therapies for removing cellulite the Acoustic wave therapy is the one that uses a hand-held device in order to transmit sound waves. Though this therapy may work positively but it requires several sessions to go through.
Laser treatment is a popular technique for improving cellulite appearance. The result may last for one or more years. Under this treatment method a very small laser probe is inserted under the affected skin. After that the laser is fired that helps in breaking up the connective tissue bands. Also it stimulates the production of collagen protein that helps in the thickening of the skin to give it even texture or appearance.
Vacuum-assisted tissue release is another technique in which precise tissue is released through cutting the bands with the help of a device having small blades in it. As the connective bands are cut the underlying tissue immediately moves upward to fill the gap under the skin surface that helps in removing the appearance of cellulite effectively. This therapy’s effect may last for three years however its success data report is limited.
Subcison is another technique for reducing cellulite appearance. In this procedure a dermatologist inserts a needle under the affected skin area in order to break up the connective tissue bands. As per the AAD report the result of this therapy can last for 2 or more years time.
Endermologie is a therapy in which deep massaging is done with the help of a vacuum-like device that helps in lifting up the affected skin. This therapy is approved safe by the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Department, however, there is very little evidence that suggests it works, as said by the AAD.
Carboxytherapy is another technique in which carbon dioxide gas is inserted under the skin area. This helps in removing some amount of cellulite however, it is associated with side effects like bruising and discomfort after the completion of the procedure.
Lonithermie Cellulite Reduction Method, in this procedure the affected skin area is covered with a special variety of mud or clay, and then it is wrapped with plastic. After that electric current is applied over it. This treatment technique is not proven effective.
Laser-assisted Liposuction, in this treatment technique the small amount of fat is removed from the cellulite affected area. However, this contains the risk of making the dimple caused by cellulite worsen. This method is not proven by researches for its effectiveness to reduce cellulite issues.
Radiotherapy, this treatment therapy involves cellulite reduction by heating it. However the results that you get with this therapy only last for a short duration.
Ultrasonic Liposculpting, this treatment technique aims at destroying fat causing cellulite. However there are limited researches to prove the effectiveness of this procedure.
The above-mentioned therapies give a mixed result. However the techniques that AAD strictly prohibits to use include Mesotherapy that includes injecting substances mixture under the skin. Also, Cryolipolysis technique is an unapproved technique in which fat is frozen.
Medications & Creams
There are some proposed medications and creams which work on fatty tissues responsible for cellulite growth. Some researches support the usage of medications that can stimulate cell metabolism as well as circulation. However these are not tested or not proven effective in its target.
Creams that are rich in caffeine content can improve the appearance of cellulite. This is because caffeine has the ability to dehydrate cells that make them less visible. Similarly Retinols application is another good way to reduce the appearance of the cellulite.
This works by thickening the skin layer making cellulite less visible. For getting the noticeable result people should use these creams at least for 6 moths persistently. These creams are easily available online. However before using any cream do a patch test first to avoid any side effect risk like usage of retinol has caused adverse impact like racing heart in some people.
Home Remedies
Apart from the above mentioned medical treatment techniques you can apply some home remedies even before directly using the invasive procedure to get rid of your cellulite skin condition. Some safe and effective home remedies include the following-
- Exercise- Practice a routine exercise plan to reduce your body fat. You can combine exercises like aerobics and strength training in your program. This will help you in burning the excess body fat speedily that will make your cellulite less visible. Also, a toned and fit body naturally looks firmer and smothers.
- Keep Your Body Hydrated- Dehydration makes your cellulite look more visible. Moreover when you drink plenty amount of water your body naturally remains free of toxins as it flushes out from your body easily. Women who are the most common victim of this skin condition are suggested to drink at least 8 to 9 glasses of water every day.
- Dry Brushing Your Skin- For this you can use a body brush or a natural plant loofah and brush your dry skin at least for five minutes. Start from the feet and gently move upward direction in the circular motions. This technique will excite the blood and lymph flow and will help in removing the existing dead skin cells and will promote the growth of new skin cells. This method stimulates the nervous system and supports the detoxification process. Do this before the bath or taking a shower.
- Eat Balanced Diet- The everyday diet routine plays an important role in causing a fat buildup in the body which is the root cause of cellulite skin issue. So to cure this condition naturally you must start incorporating a balanced and healthy diet routine in your everyday meal.
Eat more amount of fiber-rich foods and reduce the consumption of highly processed and sugary foods that causes toxins and fat accumulation in the body. By maintaining a healthy body weight you can make your cellulite less noticeable. Quit smoking and reduce your excessive alcohol intake as these bad habits increase the level of toxins in the body.
- Apple Cider Vinegar- The consumption of ACV can help in speedy fat burn the help in reducing the cellulite. Drink one tbsp apple cider vinegar diluted in water two to three times in a day until you notice a reduction in your fat size and improvement in the cellulite appearance. You can also apply its DIY remedy to your affected skin area. Mix an equal amount of water and apple cider vinegar and apply this solution to your affected skin area directly. Leave it for few minutes and then wash it off with water.
It is advised to concentrate on natural and cost-effective procedures to cure the cellulite skin condition and wait for few months before you decide for a medical therapy that is costly enough and even does not claim to provide long-lasting results.
[expand title=”View Article Sources“]
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149465#treatment-and-removal
- https://www.healthline.com/health/cellulite#topical-treatments
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulite/symptoms-causes/syc-20354945
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very helpfull tips.thank you.
My name is Pramit Debbarma and I’m 24 years old, I find this article very useful about getting rid of cellulite. I’m not suffering for this particular skin disorder but my sister does, she is around 27 years old. Recently I heard her complaining about rashes in some parts of her body as cited in the article above. I showed her this article and she find it useful too, she told me that she will try this remidies from now on. Usually people ignore this kinds of problems happening in their bodies, but it looks very odd when others sees. Thank you Maushmi singh for this useful article.