Cellulite is a term used to describe the dimpled and lumpy appearance that occurs in 80 to 90 percent of women, usually on their legs, butt, stomach or arms. The term first began to be used in the 1920s but it wasn’t until the 1960s that it became common in English publications. In the medical field, the technical names for cellulite include adiposis edematosa, dermopanniculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis and gynoid lipodystrophy. In colloquial language, cellulite is often referred to as orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin, hail damage, and the mattress phenomenon.
Cellulite Occurs in the Subcutaneous Skin Layer
There are three layers of fat that exist beneath the skin. The upmost layer of fat – closest to the skin – is named the subcutaneous layer and it is here where cellulite forms. This layer houses larger blood vessels and nerves, and consists of both fat and connective tissue. Its main role is the regulation of temperature of the skin itself and the body. The size of this layer varies throughout the body and from person to person, and it doesn’t necessarily increase in size due to weight gain.
Beneath the subcutaneous layer are two levels of fat which is where the body stores it fat reserves. The two layers of fat grow or shrink depending on your fat levels. While these fat levels don’t specifically cause cellulite, they can make the condition worse in overweight women by pushing on the subcutaneous level above.
In the subcutaneous layer, there is a honeycomb-like network of connective tissue named septae. The purpose of this fibrous tissue is to hold the fat cells together in small compartments and to connect the skin to the lower layers of bodily tissue. Cellulite forms when the septae hardens and it begins to pull down on the skin above, forming the dimples. This causes a chain reaction and fluid begins to gather inside the fat cells and lymphatic nodes causing the lumps of hardened or raised fat.
Because cellulite forms in the subcutaneous layer and not in the fat reserves, the condition can occur in both overweight and thin women. Finally, women are more likely to get cellulite than men because they have a different structure to their subcutaneous layer.
The Cellulite Causes
Cellulite occurs when the septae hardens and fluid becomes trapped in the fat cells. There are a number of reasons why this occurs:
Hormonal factors – the female hormone of estrogen are thought to play an important role in the formations of cellulite but the exact link is unknown. While cellulite rarely occurs in men, it can form in males who are receiving oestrogen therapy for prostate cancer or who have an androgen-deficient state. Estrogen promotes the location and storage of fat cells, especially in the cellulite prone areas of the thighs, buttocks and stomach. It is one reason why men and women carry weight differently.
Genetics – there is a strong genetic link with cellulite. Genes determine the exact structure of the subcutaneous layer and septae as well as individual characteristics that worsen the cellulite like poor circulation, slow metabolism and fat distribution. In short, if your mother had bad cellulite then chance are that you will also suffer from it too.
Age – as a woman ages, the septae naturally hardens and circulation throughout the body decreases. The skin also becomes thinner due to a lack of collagen production, worsening the cellulite.
Diet and lifestyle – women who consume too much fat, carbohydrates, or salt and too little fiber are likely to worsen their cellulite. Smoking, alcohol and a lack of exercise is also linked to the condition. Poor diet and lifestyle worsens cellulite as it promotes poor blood and lymphatic circulation, weight gain, collagen loss and thinning of the skin.
Tight clothing – clothing that restricts circulation to the buttocks and legs can increase your chance of getting cellulite. Elastic found in panties is the main cause of this. It is best to wear underwear which doesn’t have tight elastic bands around the hips.
