Is Cellulite A Cause For Concern?

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite is a condition in which a collection of fat forms on the thighs, stomach and buttocks, forming a dimpled appearance on the skin. Fat deposits push against the connective tissues under the skin, giving your skin a lumpy and puckered appearance.

One way to check if you have cellulite is to pinch the skin on your upper thighs. Lumpy skin is a sign of cellulite. Most women (as many as 90%) and some men have cellulite, and the good news is that there are some ways to minimize the appearance of cellulite.

What Causes Cellulite?

Several factors contribute to cellulite, namely:
• Genetics – Some people are more prone than others to have cellulite based on genetic characteristics.
• Lifestyle – A sedentary lifestyle contributes to the formation of cellulite.
• Stress – People exposed to stressful conditions tend to develop cellulite.
• Hormones – Certain female hormones, such as estrogen, encourages fat cells to grow around the thighs and buttocks.
• Pregnancy – Pregnancy causes changes in a woman’s body that leads to cellulite formation.
• Smoking – Cigarette smoking can trigger cellulite formation.

Doctors believe that age, gender, amount of body fat, and skin thickness are factors that determine if a person has cellulite and how much cellulite one can get. This means that some people are more prone to develop cellulite than others.

Treatments for Cellulite

Cellulite treatment and removal is a billion-dollar industry, thanks to peoples’ desires to get rid of ugly sagging skin. You should know that there is no permanent cure or solution for cellulite. There are, however, products and treatments that temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Cosmetic salons offer cellulite treatments such as deep massaging to cause the skin to puff up. Liposuction, which is a surgery to remove deep-seated fat, is also an option. Many physicians, however, don’t recommend liposuction for everyone with cellulite. Aside from the prohibitive costs and the health risks associated with surgery, liposuction is not very effective in removing cellulite. Cellulite is found close to the skin, while liposuction aims to remove deep fat.

Another cellulite treatment is mesotherapy. This involves injecting medicinal drugs into skin to help reduce fat and smoothen the skin. Unlike liposuction, mesotherapy requires no anesthesia and hospitalization. Both treatments require a considerable amount of money.

The best way to reduce or eliminate cellulite, however, is proper diet and exercise. Reducing body fat will go a long way in eliminating unwanted cellulite. Eating foods low in calories and fat will also prevent fat cells from forming around cellulite-prone areas like the thighs and hips.

If you want to hide or conceal cellulite without undergoing treatments or exercise, you can use a self-tanning product. Darker skin makes cellulite less noticeable to other people.

Not everybody loves cellulite. With proper diet, exercise and treatments, you can remove or reduce cellulite and get rid of those lumpy thighs.