What is cellulite
Cellulite is a dent-like change in the surface of the skin. Since this complexion is reminiscent of the surface of an orange, cellulite is often also called orange skin ("peau d'orange"). It mainly appears on the thighs and buttocks, but can also affect other areas of the body such as the upper arms, stomach or breasts. Cellulite does not directly affect health and is not considered a symptom of disease. However, those affected often suffer psychologically from this cosmetic phenomenon, which dermatologists also refer to as dermopanniculosis deformans or status protrusus cutis or mattress phenomenon. In dermatology, the mattress phenomenon is considered a gender-specific feature of the female thigh skin.
It occurs to almost every woman when pinching the skin on the thigh. The Latin term status protrusus cutis refers to the fact that it is merely a matter of compression and warping of the upper fat cell chamber systems in the subcutaneous tissue, which advances into the upper epidermis. While this orange peel phenomenon already occurs in young women, dermopanniculosis derformans is only spoken of with increasing skin aging and the associated fat infiltration.
Why does cellulite mostly affect women?
Men are less likely to be affected by cellulite because their upper subcutaneous layer (subcutaneous tissue) is thinner and the fat cell chambers in men's connective tissue are held together more compactly. To put it simply, the collagen fibers in women are stored in parallel. Men, on the other hand, have a lattice-like network of collagen fibers. The fat cell chambers of the male skin can therefore usually not be moved during the pinch test. Wrinkles appear, but no dents and therefore no orange peel skin. The fact that men have a more elastic dermis (corium) than women also contributes to this. If the pinch test in men shows orange peel skin, this often indicates an androgen deficit, i.e. a lack of male sex hormones.
Things to know about cellulite
Between 80 and 90 percent of all women worldwide will experience cellulite at some point in their lives. Severity grades 2 and 3 are particularly common in women over the age of 30. Being overweight also promotes the formation of cellulite.
The adipose tissue of the hypodermis is permeated by connective tissue (a network of collagen fibers) that encloses the adipose cell units. With increasing age the collagen fibers lose their elasticity and fewer and fewer new ones are formed. This gradually weakens the connective tissue. As a result, the fat cells find less support. There is an uneven distribution of the fat cells in the connective tissue, which is noticeable as dents in the skin. A typical side effect of aging is weight gain. Not only are more fat cells formed, their size also increases. This enlarged fat cells not only cause more dents, they also squeeze the smallest blood vessels. The metabolism slows down and the formation of new collagen fibers also comes to a standstill. If nothing is done about it, the weakening of the connective tissue and thus the cellulite will continue to progress.
Even women who are not overweight can develop cellulite. The reason for this is that the connective tissue starts to weaken after the age of 30. If the collagen fiber network in the subcutaneous tissue loses its elasticity, Cellulite also shows up in slim women. However, the following also applies: the higher the body weight, the stronger the expression of the orange peel skin. Losing weight alone does not reduce cellulite: At the same time, the elasticity of the skin must be restored so that the dents do not show up even more clearly due to the reduced padding.
For the deposition of fat cells in thighs and Po is this, among other things female hormone estrogen responsible. It also ensures that the fat-storing cells (lipocytes) located there are larger than in men. This mechanism is anything but a freak of nature. After all, the much more supple skin of women is not least due to this. From a biological point of view, it is needed as an energy store to prepare women for the changes in their bodies during and after pregnancy. The expression of cellulite is often similar within the family. Next to this one genetic disposition (predisposition) there are other influencing factors:
- Smoking: Nicotine constricts the blood vessels in the skin. This disrupts the metabolism, the existing collagen fibers degenerate and the connective tissue no longer builds up enough new collagen fibers
- lack of exercise: Trained people have more muscle mass than non-sports people. At the same time, this simple fact means that fat cells have less space in a trained body to spread out. In this way, the skin becomes more elastic again and visible cellulite is reduced
- Unfavorable diet: The combination of high-fat and high-carbohydrate diets leads to enlarged fat cells and thus promotes cellulite. On the other hand, foods containing potassium such as nuts, spinach, bananas or tomatoes have a positive effect. They drain and strengthen the subcutaneous tissue
- Birth control pills: Taking it can lead to an excess of estrogen, which in turn is considered a “driver” of cellulite
- Venous diseases and circulatory disorders: They also impede the blood flow and metabolism and thus the natural strengthening of the connective tissue
If the cellulite is already clearly visible, some women think about one Liposuction after. Although this can make the body silhouette narrower, it is not certain whether the cellulite will also disappear. There are reports of improvements as well as reports of skin deterioration. If a lot of fat is sucked out, there is already the problem that the excess skin has to be lifted. The same applies to severe weight loss after dieting or intensive sports programs. It should also not be forgotten that liposuction is a Operation under general anesthesia with all the associated risks acts. Added to this are the high costs for the cosmetic surgery and its aftercare, which are not covered by the statutory health insurance companies.
The anti-cellulite cream from skin689
If the cellulite is already clearly visible, some women think about one Liposuction after. Although this can make the body silhouette narrower, it is not certain whether the cellulite will also disappear. There are reports of improvements as well as reports of skin deterioration. If a lot of fat is sucked out, there is already the problem that the excess skin has to be lifted. The same applies to severe weight loss after dieting or intensive sports programs. It should also not be forgotten that liposuction is a Operation under general anesthesia with all the associated risks acts. Added to this are the high costs for the cosmetic surgery and its aftercare, which are not covered by the statutory health insurance companies.
Other cellulite topics:
- Cellulite degrees of severity
- cellulite causes
- Anti cellulite cream
- cellulite on buttocks
- cellulite on thighs
About the author: Balz Schürmann (CEO)
Balz Schürmann and his team stands for highly effective cosmetics that are exclusively manufactured in Switzerland. As a specialist for the correction of unwanted visible changes in the skin, skin689 combines CHacoll® with proven and innovative skin-tightening active ingredients for the treatment of cellulite and loss of contours.
The scientific team, led by Professor Dr. Gohla, building on the success of our Anti cellulite cream developed further firming focus products. These products are special belly and hips, neck and cleavage, the Upper arms as well as the hands coordinated and offer a targeted solution for every problem area.