Guide To The Risk Factors And Causes Of Cellulite
Cellulite develops when fat deposits located just underneath the surface of the skin push against neighboring connective tissues. This causes the skin in the affected area to appear lumpy or dimpled. Cellulite can give the skin a texture similar to that of an orange peel. While mild cellulite is generally visible only when the affected area is pinched or compressed, more severe cellulite creates peaks and valleys on the surface of the skin. Patients with lighter skin tones often experience worse cellulite than those with darker skin tones. Many doctors consider cellulite a normal finding, and treatment is only necessary for cosmetic reasons. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons assess cellulite with a visual inspection. Topical treatments such as 0.3 percent retinol creams can improve the appearance of cellulite when applied twice a day for six months, and doctors may also use ultrasound, liposuction, cryolipolysis, lasers, and radiofrequency systems to reduce cellulite.
Currently, doctors understand very little about what causes cellulite to form. Experts believe it involves the connective tissues that keep the skin attached to the underlying muscle. Fat cells form a middle layer between the skin and muscle, and if these cells accumulate excessively, they push the skin up while the connective tissues pull it down. This is believed to cause the uneven skin surface associated with cellulite.
The major risk factors that can increase the likelihood of experiencing cellulite are outlined below.
Age
While children rarely have cellulite, it is especially common in adults. The changes to the skin's appearance associated with this issue typically begin in adolescence and continue as the patient goes through puberty. For many patients, the amount of cellulite they experience tends to increase with age. As an individual ages, their skin produces less collagen, and it loses firmness, thickness, and elasticity. This loss can result in sagging skin, and it may worsen the dimples, peaks, and valleys on the skin's surface. Aging can also increase a patient's body fat percentage and their risk of chronic health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. Patients with these and other underlying medical conditions may find it harder to maintain a healthy weight and keep a regular exercise schedule, and these factors could further increase the amount of cellulite an individual has. Patients who experience excessive skin sagging or a concerning degree of collagen loss might need to have laser or radiofrequency treatments to minimize the appearance of cellulite.
Keep reading to learn more about cellulite risk factors now.
Gender
Gender is an especially strong risk factor for cellulite. In fact, anecdotal reports from leading dermatologists suggest eighty to ninety-eight percent of American women have cellulite, but only ten percent of men are estimated to have this skin complaint. Doctors believe the increased prevalence of cellulite in women may be due to gender differences in the direction of connective tissues. While the tough, fibrous bands of collagen that connect skin and muscle run parallel to the surface of the skin in males, the bands naturally run perpendicular to the skin's surface in females. These perpendicular bands are believed to be a major cause of the skin dimpling that appears with cellulite.
Gender differences in body fat levels and distribution have also been recognized as a contributing factor. Women typically have a higher percentage of body fat than men. A healthy body fat range for females is between twenty and twenty-five percent, and the healthy range for males is between ten and fifteen percent. Women have more subcutaneous (under the skin) fat than men, and they tend to store most of their fat around the buttocks, thighs, and hips, all of which are among the most common locations for cellulite formation. In contrast, men have more visceral fat than women. This type of fat accumulates around the internal organs. In addition, men tend to store the majority of their fat in the abdomen and upper body, areas naturally less prone to cellulite.
Read more about what can cause cellulite now.
Inactive Lifestyle
An inactive lifestyle can contribute to poor muscle definition, decreased muscle mass, and weight gain, and these factors may worsen the appearance of cellulite. Regular exercise and strength training can help patients increase the elasticity of the connective tissues and the amount of muscle definition visible in places where cellulite typically appears, including the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen. Thus, these exercises could improve the skin's appearance.
Experts recommend aiming for at least thirty minutes of activity spread over five days of the week. Moderate to intense activities such as running, weight lifting, swimming, and tennis are often the most effective method for improving muscle definition and reducing cellulite. Ideally, patients should combine some aerobic exercises with strength training activities. Dumbbells, elastic bands, and the patient's body weight can be used to build strength. Individuals who have been inactive for several years should consult their physician before beginning a new fitness regime to ensure they are healthy enough for exercise. Working with a personal trainer or taking part in an exercise class could provide motivation for regular activity. Supervision helps to build proper form and prevent injury.
Get more details on risk factors linked to the development of cellulite now.
Family History
Having a family history of cellulite is known to increase an individual's risk of developing this skin issue. For example, many women whose mothers have cellulite often find they experience it too. Genes influence an individual's metabolism, circulation, and fat distribution under the skin, and these factors may all contribute to whether or not a patient has cellulite. A 2010 Italian study conducted by Enzo Emanuele and team members M. Bertona and D. Geroldi looked at the role genetic factors might play in cellulite susceptibility. Researchers examined four hundred female patients. Half of the patients were at a healthy weight and had cellulite. Used as a control group, the remaining two hundred patients were of the same age and body mass index (BMI) as the others, but they lacked cellulite. Researchers studied twenty-five genetic variations (polymorphisms) in fifteen genes. After controlling for age, smoking status, body mass index, and contraceptive use, the authors discovered two specific variations were strongly associated with cellulite. These variations were located on the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1A (HIF1a) genes.
Discover more cellulite risk factors now.
Weight Gain Or Loss
Significant weight gain or loss could increase the severity of cellulite. For example, patients who have recently gained twenty to thirty pounds or more could notice any cellulite they may have appears worse. While weight loss is typically recommended as a treatment for this skin complaint, it does not always make cellulite disappear completely. In fact, patients who have undergone rapid weight loss could lose a significant amount of muscle mass and definition, and this may make fat cells and cellulite appear more pronounced. Rapid weight loss could also weaken the elasticity of the connective tissues, and the sagging skin that results may worsen any existing dimpling of the skin. To reduce these risks, doctors recommend that patients try to maintain a healthy weight, and gradual weight loss of one to two pounds per week is typically advised. Patients may need to work with a doctor or nutritionist to meet their weight goals.