About Cellulite

What is Cellulite
Cellulite is often referred to as “cottage cheese” or “orange peel” mainly due to its appearance, which looks like dimples or ripples just under the skin. Mainly women are affected by cellulite. It is largely associated with the female hormones. The internal structure of skin in women is also different from that of a man. The fat cells are closer to the surface while in men these are buried deeper into the layers, hence when the fat begins to clump to the connecting tissues it eventually begins to show through the top layers of skin as they wear away with time. It is believed that around 90% of women suffer from it, to some degree.

Cellulite is mainly found on inner, upper and back of thighs; upper back below the shoulders; ankles; inside and back of upper arms; buttocks; lower back; hips; & stomach.

Biological Explanation of Cellulite
Cellulite – it is a kind of fat tissue below the surface of the skin. This layer of skin contains bands of connecting tissue that have many fat cells and is surrounded by a liquid that nourishes it and provides an effective waste system. Cellulite occurs when fat cell chambers beneath the skin swell and are pinched by connective tissue bands . This results in a restriction of blood circulation to the fat cells.  This reduction in oxygen supply to the fat cells (since blood carries dissolved oxygen in it) causes the connective tissue bands to become tougher and less elastic.  This leads to waste and fluids being trapped between these fat cells. This connective tissue thickens and gives the dimples like effect of cellulite. This layer thickens as we age, which can also produce the rippling effect of cellulite.

Types of Cellulite – There are majorly two kinds of cellulite – soft cellulite and hard cellulite. Learn how to evaluate and classify cellulite.

How does Cellulite differ from Fat?
Since everyone has a smooth layer of fat, individual amounts depend on weight, lifestyle and genetics. This fat layer is an insulator for the body and cushions the organs, muscles and nerves. Cellulite, on the other hand, is lumpy and provides no padding whatsoever. It only occurs in certain areas of the body: the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and breasts.

Cellulite is not necessarily a factor of body weight. You don’t have to be heavy to have cellulite. Though diet and lifestyle do affect cellulite formation, a large part of cellulite is comprised of toxins and fat that builds up in the body, and can affect women of any weight, size and body structure.

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