Everything You Need to Know About Cellulite
30-Second Summary
- Ever wondered about that uneven, dimpled, or puckered skin that tends to form around our thighs, buttocks, and abdomen?
- That could be a cellulite – an informal term for a skin condition that can make your body parts appear lumpy.
- While cellulite is generally harmless, it can significantly affect the appearance of our skin and make it look unappealing.
- Cellulite can have many causes, but most experts agree that it’s a combination of genes, age, and body fat percentage.
- Fortunately, there are numerous ways to help you prevent, treat, and significantly affect the appearance of cellulite. Keep on reading to learn everything you need to know about cellulite, its causes, and treatment options!
So What Exactly Is Cellulite?
Also known as orange peel skin, cellulite refers to a buildup of fat collections underneath the skin that pushes against the connective tissue. That effect pulls down the overlying skin and causes an uneven, dimpled, or puckered appearance. Your cellulite can be visible only when you slightly fold your skin or at all times.
Cellulite can form in virtually any body part where there is excess fat. Nonetheless, it’s more common in more susceptible areas, such as the thighs, hips, buttocks, and abdomen. Cellulite doesn’t have any symptoms apart from having its visible characteristics. It’s neither painful nor dangerous, but it can make some people feel embarrassed and hurt their self-esteem. Overall, getting rid of it will make you look younger naturally. It’s also an exceedingly common issue that mostly affects post-adolescent females. However, you can get it at virtually any age, and males can also experience it. While cellulite is not a medical condition and cannot harm you in any way, it may be a sign that you are carrying excess fat or weight.
It shouldn’t be mistaken for lipedema, which is a recognized health condition. It refers to the buildup of excess fat around the hips, thighs, hips, and other body parts. Unlike cellulite, having lipedema can hurt, swell and bruise. Furthermore, the skin’s texture can also change as the condition progresses. People with lipedema are also at a higher risk for developing systemic health disorders, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart issues. Keep reading for more information on the causes, prevention, and various options to help you get rid of cellulite.
What Are The Grades Of Cellulite?
As with most conditions, experts have created a grading system to help them better diagnose and treat cellulite. The 2009 cellulite severity scale divides it into three separate grades, each with its unique characteristics. Some also refer to an additional grade 0 where there is no cellulite present on the body. The grades are as follows:
- Grade 1, also referred to as mild: Your skin has a generally even appearance, but there could be dimpling when you fold it or sit down. The severity scale describes this grade as having an orange peel appearance with an overall saggy appearance and 1 to 4 skin depressions.
- Grade 2, or moderate: In grade two, cellulite is also visible when standing and not just when folding the skin. The skin is described as having a cottage cheese appearance with 5 to 9 deeper skin depressions.
- Grade 3, or severe: In grade two, there is severe dimpling regardless of whether you are standing or sitting. The depressed areas are deeper and could be well over ten. The skin is described as having a mattress appearance. At this stage, your doctor should ensure to rule out lipedema, assess your body fat percentage, and suggest weight management strategies if necessary.
What Are The Causes, Prevention, And Treatment Of Cellulite
So now to the most important part of it all – the causes, prevention, and treatment of cellulite. Interestingly enough, the exact causes for getting orange peel skin are still not understood very well. It’s a simple condition at first glance, but it seems that the underlying causes are more complex.
Nonetheless, experts are convinced that it results from a complex relationship between genetic and environmental factors. Overall, post-adolescent women with a higher fat percentage seem to be at a higher risk for cellulite. Hormones, such as estrogens, insulin, and prolactin, also play a role. While slim people can also have cellulite, following a healthy diet plan seems to reduce the risk of having it.
Factors that can contribute to the production of cellulite include eating too many saturated fats, carbs, and salt. It’s also more prevalent in smokers, people with low physical activity, and those who wear tight underwear. These factors can hinder blood circulation and increase fat production. The available treatment options for cellulite vary depending on the characteristics of each person. Changing your lifestyle in favor of having a healthy diet plan, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking can help. Various cosmetic procedures, medications, and creams can act on the fatty tissues and reduce the overall appearance of cellulite.
The Treatment and Removal Of Cellulite
Numerous cosmetic procedures can help you get rid of cellulite. These include acoustic wave therapy, laser treatments, carboxytherapy, radiotherapy, liposculpting, and more. Some of these are more invasive than others, and all have varying effects.
Together with your dermatologist, you will best determine the most suitable and affordable cellulite treatment option for you.
In some cases, creams and medications can also help you fight cellulite by acting on the excess fat to make it less visible. If you want to try it yourself, you may check out the Hibiscus and Honey Firming Cream online.
The Bottom Line
Even though it’s harmless, cellulite can significantly decrease the overall appeal of our skin by making it look dimpled and uneven. For some, it can feel embarrassing and hurt their confidence. Luckily, numerous cosmetic procedures can help you reduce your overall appearance.
Certain topical agents, such as the Hibiscus and Honey Firming Cream or formulas containing caffeine or retinol, can also help.
Nonetheless, the best treatment for any condition is prevention. Lead an active lifestyle and follow a healthy diet, and cellulite will be one step away!
Study Links:
Lipedema—Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options – PMC (nih.gov)
A validated photonumeric cellulite severity scale | Request PDF (researchgate.net)
Treatment for cellulite – PMC (nih.gov)
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
