There are misconceptions about cellulite, what it is, how you get it and what can be done if you do. So, let’s take a look at those issues here.
Cellulite is the dimpled, lumpy, orange peel appearance to the skin, predominantly found on the buttocks and thighs. It’s formed by fat deposits pushing through the connective tissue under the skin. Women are mostly affected due to them having different distributions of fat, muscle, and connective tissue to men. In their lifetime, 80 to 90% of women will experience cellulite formation.
Cellulite is more prevalent in people who have excess fat, but slim and even physically fit people can have it too. It is more likely to occur after the age of 25 years, but it can affect younger people as well, including teenagers.
It’s a widely held belief that toxins cause cellulite. This is a fallacy. It does though appear to result from an interaction between the connective tissue that lies just under the skin and the layer of fat cells sat just below it.
There are a manifold of factors affecting the deposition of cellulite. One is age and hormonal changes. It’s thought that the dip in oestrogen levels with age is accompanied by a reduction of blood flow, hence oxygen supply, to the connective tissue. The production of collagen – a protein fibre that strengthens and cushions the connective tissue – decreases at the same time that oestrogen reduction causes fat cells to enlarge. Hence, more fat cells rupture the connective tissues above them and become more visible just below the skin surface.
In some, there is a genetic component to cellulite development. Genes control a person’s metabolic rate, the distribution of fat under the skin and circulatory levels. All things that will affect the chance of cellulite developing.
There are ways you can change your lifestyle to reduce the formation of cellulite. By cutting back on, or stopping, smoking; eating less fat, carbohydrates and salt; and eating more fibre. And also by increasing exercise. Cellulite is likely more experienced in those who sit or stand in one position for long periods of time. Avoid wearing underwear with elastic that sits tight across the buttocks too – another contributory factor, acting to restrict the flow of blood.
There are a number of cellulite reduction treatments available today. One which can be effective for several years, that we recommend and offer here at the studio, accomplishes cellulite reduction using the BTL Exilis Elite system.
