Cellulites

Cellulites

Cellulite is a common and well-known condition in women. The condition is characterized by the fact that the skin can look bumpy. It is also referred to as orange peel, as the skin has a surface pattern that may resemble an orange. The skin condition is not a sign of disease, but can be experienced as a cosmetic problem for many.

What is cellulite?

The fat in the subcutaneous tissue is located in small connective tissue spaces between the epidermis and the muscles. Over the years, the connective tissue walls will stiffen and contract. This will therefore lead to a changed skin structure that compresses the fat and the skin looks bumpy.

The condition is most often seen on the thighs in women, but also occurs on the buttocks, abdomen and upper arms. The skin condition often appears in old age due to changes in skin structure over the years, but it is also common for it to appear in your 20s or after pregnancy.

Cause of cellulite?

There is no direct cause of cellulite, but there are many factors that can influence the cause:

• Heredity: Genetic factors such as body fat distribution, metabolic rate, ethnicity and skin thickness can influence the development of cellulite.

• Gender: The condition can occur in both sexes, but to a greater extent in women. This is because the distribution of fat, muscle and connective tissue is different in men and women.

• Female hormones: Female hormones help to influence the distribution of fat on the body. As women age, estrogen levels will decrease. This can help to change the skin structure. Nevertheless, the condition cannot be treated with hormone therapy.

• Age: The skin becomes less elastic and thinner over the years

• Unhealthy lifestyle: Little physical activity and unhealthy foods can increase the risk. However, this is not a direct cause of cellulite. This does not apply to excess fat either, but it can make the problem more visible.

Good advice and treatment

There is no documented effective treatment, but there are advice and measures you can try to reduce visibility.

• Physical activity: Exercise can help keep the muscles firm and the skin taut. Fat tissue will thus be burned and can therefore be a beneficial measure to reduce cellulite.

• Healthy diet: Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, fiber-rich foods and drink plenty of water.

• Body care: Using fatty moisturizers and body lotion that is massaged into the skin can have an effect by keeping the skin soft. There is no documentation that this is effective, but some people may benefit from this.

• Avoid smoking: Smoke makes the dog less elastic and can thus worsen the condition. Read more about quitting smoking here.

• Combine a healthy diet with physical activity and exercise.

• Electrical stimulation of muscles or fat tissue, laser, skin grinding and liposuction are some treatment methods that can be tried, but documentation of their effect is limited.

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Sources: Norwegian electronic medical handbook