Cellulite Information

As our skin ages, the collagen fibers become thinner and less resistant to fat cells poking through. It's this protrusion of fat cells that causes the skin condition known as cellulite. It is often referred to as "orange peel skin" and it is a widespread problem affecting mostly women.

Why are almost only women affected by cellulite?

Women have more fat cells than men do. They serve as an energy reservoir during pregnancy. The structure of the fatty tissue which is supported by the connective tissue in the female thigh differs from that in a male. In the female the supporting chambers are perpendicular to the skin thus allowing protrusion of fat cells in an upward direction. In males the connective tissue runs crosswise which makes the area stronger and prevents fat cells from pushing up through the skin.

How does cellulite appear?

The fat cells are affected by hormonal changes which may cause fat cells to multiply and grow.
The increased pressure of larger fat cells may lead to increased pressure in the tissue, thus diminishing local micro circulation and lymphatic drainage. The existing fat cells become larger due to reduced circulation and fat burning. The large fat cells cause a bulging effect towards the surface of the skin, creating the distinctive dimpled orange peel appearance of cellulite.

Over time swelling and local inflammations also occur, and the advanced-stage cellulite displays the typical fibrotic nodules. Hormonal changes in women also cause accelerated skin aging and as the connective tissue becomes weaker and thinner in the epidermal tissue layer, the fat cells meet less resistance to bulging and cellulite appear. With the changes caused by hormonal fluctuation the epidermal tissue becomes weaker while the subcutaneous tissue hardens.

Factors such as smoking, stress, poor diet or weight gain may further accelerate skin ageing and the appearance of cellulite.

A sedentary lifestyle may contribute to reduction in the microcirculation of the skin. This reduction in blood flow may interrupt the transport of oxygen and nutrients, fat deposits build up and if the procedure continues it leads to visible changes of the skin, the cellulite builds up even more.