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.