Formation of Cellulite Explained

Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not restricted to fat people. Even lean people can suffer from it. Losing cellulite is more difficult than losing fat. Cellulite is swelling of the fat cells, which appear as bumps on the body, causing what is known as dimpling effect or orange peel effect, because the cellulite affected area resembles an orange peel. In the following paragraphs we will find out the exact nature of cellulite, and how it is formed. Once that is clear, it will be easier to understand how to get rid of it.

The skin is made up of many different layers, called ‘dermis’. The fat cells which are under the skin, are connected to it with the help of a layer called ‘septa’, which is fibrous in nature. This layer forms a wall between the fat cells and the skin. But when this layer beaks down, the fat cells which expand, do so directly against the skin, so that there is no layer between the two. Due to this, the skin develops pits and valleys and resembles an orange peel, or cottage cheese, or has a dimpled appearance. Although the appearance of cellulite is different in men and women, the difference is not very significant.

The causes of cellulite differ for men and women. In women, hormonal changes during menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, etc., which regulate the flow of blood, lymphatic drainage and fat, are mainly responsible for the formation of cellulite. Birth control pills cause hormonal changes in a woman’s body, which can also lead to its formation. Hormones, to some extent, are responsible for the thickness of tissues and buildup of fat. If the hormonal balance in the body is skewed, it can cause a reduction in the thickness of the tissue, causing the cellulite to become more visible on the skin.

Besides hormones, the genetic make up, lifestyle, race, gender, and age of the individual also affect cellulite formation. As we age, the tissue layers tend to lose thickness which causes a wrinkled appearance. This is because the fat and lymph have reduced in quantity, whereas the cellulite is still lodged in the cells. And now, since there is no cushion, this cellulite becomes more prominent. Even regular exercise is no guarantee that you won’t suffer from it, but it will definitely reduce it if you have it, and delay its formation. Thus it follows, that exercise and a healthy diet are absolutely necessary for combating cellulite. A sedentary lifestyle, while it may or may not be a cause, can certainly accelerate the formation of cellulite.

So how does cellulite form? Let’s take a look at its formation. Is it the same as fat? If not, what is the difference between the two?

Like we have the garbage disposal system for our homes, we have one inbuilt in our bodies as well. This is the lymphatic circular system. This system performs many important tasks and is indispensable. One of the more important functions of this system, is to keep the waste from building up in our cells. This circulatory system is responsible for flushing out the waste buildup from our cells, thus keeping them clean and helping them breathe. When the circulation of this system is impaired or obstructed, the cells are not cleaned up properly and the waste accumulates in them, causing them to bulge. Thus, cellulite is formed. Which leads us to the conclusion, that the cellulite in our bodies is not the same as fat. And that, formation of cellulite can be attributed to a hindrance in the proper working of the lymphatic system.

The skin is made up of many layers. The three most important layers in the skin are: hypo-dermis, dermis, and epidermis. The hypo-dermis is the layer in which cellulite develops. The fat cells swell up due to accumulation of water and hampered working of the lymphatic system. Due to this, excess fluid is not drained by the lymphatic circulatory system, causing cells to swell up and occupy more space. As a result, they have to squeeze together tightly, since there is not enough space for them to fit comfortably after swelling. They are bound tightly together by collagen fibers. This further hampers the drainage of excess fluids and waste from cells, leading to the formation of cellulite. These swollen cells then push against the dermis and epidermis, which are relatively thin layers, and become visible on the skin from the outside.

The fat layer in men and women is arranged in chambers. In men they are arranged in compact diagonals. In women, these chambers are oval in shape, and are arranged a little more loosely than in men. This means that there is more space for fat to build up in women’s cells than men’s, making women more susceptible to cellulite. The main difference between fat and cellulite is that, fat can be burned off by exercising or fasting, while cellulite cannot be burned off.

If you have cellulite and are feeling awkward about your body, here is some news for you. Lots of celebrities have it too! Britney Spears, Pamela Anderson, Mischa Barton, Hillary Swank, Teri Hatcher, all of them have it. Recently, Britney Spears revealed her untouched photos, which clearly show her cellulite. That’s the way to go girl! Women see photo shopped images of stars, and their expectations from their own body are raised way above reasonable limits. Many believe that these photos are real, and this is how their favorite stars actually look, which is not the case! While it is true that women are more prone to cellulite than men, it does not mean that men do not suffer from cellulite. They do. Males with androgen deficiency are more prone to cellulite than others. Apparently, Tom Cruise (the heartthrob of god knows how many) too, has it. So there, even the prettiest and the handsomest are not spared!

There is nothing shameful about having cellulite, as long as you are willing to do something to reduce it, because it is an indication that there is something wrong with your body. There are exercises for reducing cellulite, home remedies, and other treatments. Dry skin brushing is a technique that has high success rates. Choose a healthy way of getting rid of the cellulite that has built up in your cells. An important thing to remember is that, becoming skinny is NOT the solution to reducing or even avoiding the build up of cellulite in the body, so do not just hit the gym and work out till you drop, or are barely visible. Take the warning signal for what it is, and instead of covering up in layers of clothing, exercise, follow a healthy diet, and mend your lifestyle to combat and reduce the cellulite.