What Is Cellulite
Cellulite is that only too familiar dimpled appearance to our skin that is caused by pockets of fat situated just below the surface of the skin.
Commonly referred to as ‘orange peel skin’ it is commonly found in areas that include, the buttocks, thighs and stomach of otherwise quite healthy women. It can be seen on men, but in the main, it is usually women who develop cellulite, often after childbirth.
What Is Cellulite
The skin is comprised of a number of layers, the external layer is called the Epidermis, under this is a layer called the Dermis, it is in this layer that is home to the sweat glands, hair follicles, connective tissues and nerve endings.
Beneath the Dermis are three layers of fat, these are separated by connective tissues and are often referred to as fat chambers
Fat cells can accumulate in these chambers, as they build up, they can protrude through into the dermis. It is these clumps of fat that can show through our skin to give that all too familiar dimpled look of cellulite.
Are We More Prone To Cellulite As We Age
Our skin reaches its optimum thickness at around the age of 30, after this, as the years progress, it begins to get looser, the connective tissues relax, allowing greater amounts of subterraneous fat to protrude through into the dermis, increasing the appearance of cellulite.
It can also be a factor of increased body fat caused by reduced activity and exercise.
Cellulite Myth
Cellulite is not a disease, and it is not caused by damaged blood vessels in the skin.
Can You Treat Cellulite Surgically
It was thought that procedures like liposuction could reduce cellulite, in practice this has actually been rather ineffective and has been linked to the problem actually getting worse.
Non Surgical Ways To Treat Cellulite
There are some useful lotions and supplements that help to increase the circulation to the skin, this helps boost blood flow, and along with it, encouraging the natural development of elastin and collagen that strengthen the connective tissues, breaking down the fatty deposits beneath the skins surface, and dispersing the appearance of cellulite.
