Cellulite in skin care terminology is used to describe the pockets of fat that are trapped and result in the dimpling of skin. The dimple is an irregular one as well as patchy and is often identified with the orange peel.

A majority of post adolescent women grow cellulite, which is less common in terms of occurrence in men. The common areas to be affected by cellulite are abdomen, thighs, buttocks etc. Often misunderstood for obesity, cellulite is not related to obesity at all as it can even be a common occurrence in lean women.

Development of Cellulite

Skin care experts are of the opinion that cellulite develops in the fat layers of the skin. The fats are deposited under the epidermis as well as dermis regions of the skin.

Cellulite grows in the subcutaneous layer, which has a unique structure as compared to other layers of the skin as the fat filled portions are arranged in particular chambers in the form of strands of linked tissue surrounding it.

Fat storage is something that is also assisted by hormones, in complement to the metabolic rate of the body in the subcutaneous layer of fat.

Changes in the hormone also affect the formation of cellulite. Skin care experts have located this to the mechanism of estrogen and folliculine, and the process of cellulite formation is affected by physical changes in the body such as pregnancy, puberty and menopause.

Women taking contraceptive pills also face cellulites. The hormones induce cellulite by regulating the following aspects:

Blood circulation Fat Connective tissue Lymphatic drainage

The layers of fat have fat cells under the subcutaneous layer which dissolves into a slack network. Skin care scientists predict that the genetic make up of a person affects the metabolism and fat storage functions which are dependent also on exercise, lifestyle as well as diet.

In a woman’s body, the subcutaneous layer of fat is developed in large straight chambers that allow the storage of fat, while skin care science predicts that in men they are arranged in small inclined units for storing smaller quantities of fat, which are unlikely to grow cellulite.

Formation of cellulite results due to intricate physiological alterations that result in the subcutaneous layer of fat. This is a condition that cannot be treated, prevented or reversed with a well balanced diet or regular exercise.

However, an unhealthy lifestyle will make the overall appearance of cellulite worse on account of meager nutrition, gaining weight and lack of taking in the required quantity of water.

Skin care experts recommend the usage of topical treatments for treating cellulite. However, they are alone inadequate in treating it as they need to be combined with creams containing the following:

Herbs Antioxidants Vitamins Minerals

The effect of these skin care products is to make the skin soft, healthy and smooth, allowing it to heal itself easily. Anti inflammatory creams treat cellulite too by stimulating blood flow. Temporary moisture enhancement is also effective.

By: Jillian K. Johnson

About the Author: