Cellulite is a stubborn cosmetic and medical issue. According to studies, cellulite affects more than 93 percent of women, regardless of shape or social status. Cellulite can affect women of all sizes and weights. Because of its texture is also known as orange peel skin, hail damage, mattress phenomenon, and cottage cheese skin. This condition causes dimples and lumps on the thighs, abdomen, flanks, arms, and buttocks.
What Factors Contribute to Cellulite?
Cellulite is typically caused by the accumulation of fat beneath the skin. This causes lumps and dimples in the upper layer of the skin. Cellulite’s appearance is influenced by body fat percentage, skin thickness, age, and genetics.
You should know that cellulite is more common in women than in men. It affects women more than men because women’s connective tissue and fat cells have a vertical structure. The connective tissue in men has a crisscross structure.
Cellulite becomes more visible in women as they age. This is because the skin thins and loses elasticity.
Body fat percentage in the body is caused by the following factors, according to medical experts:
- Consuming a poor diet (especially fat dieting)
- An unhealthy way of life
- Changes in hormones
- Putting on weight
- Pregnancy
- Toxins that have accumulated
- Genes
- Metabolism is slow
- Skin color and thickness
- Dehydration
Types of Cellulite
Researchers published a severity scale for cellulite grades in 2009. The three types of cellulite are as follows:
Grade 1 – The mildest type. The skin has an orange peel appearance with 1 to 4 depressions that sag.
Grade 2 – This is a moderate form of cellulite. There are 5 to 9 medium-depth depressions in the skin. As a result, the skin resembles cottage cheese.
Grade 3 – There are more than ten deep depressions in the skin. It’s heavily draped and has the appearance of a mattress.
What Is the Best Way to Get Rid of Cellulite?
There are several methods for removing cellulite. Some of these methods are more effective than others.
Laser Therapy
A small laser probe is used in this type of treatment. When the laser probe is fired, it is inserted beneath the skin and breaks the connective tissue. This treatment can also be used to liquefy fat and reduce fluid retention. Aside from that, it can increase collagen production, which tightens the skin.
The patient will see a reduction in the appearance of cellulite by tightening the skin. You should be aware that this process can take a year or more.
Exercise
Exercising is the best way for overweight people to lose weight and tone their muscles and skin. Begin with strength training to lose weight and tone your skin. That means lifting weights at least three times per week. Concentrate on your biceps, chest, abdomen, thighs, and legs. You should also do cardio exercises and eat healthier.
Cardio exercises like the ones listed below may help reduce the appearance of cellulite:
- Jogging
- Walking
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Dancing
Strength training mainly exercises that target the thighs and glutes, may also aid in the reduction of cellulite’s appearance.
Treatments to be Avoided
When combined with other treatments, topical products containing vitamins, herbal extracts, and minerals can add value. Injectables, such as those used in mesotherapy should be avoided. Avoid liposuction, as the fat removal procedure can make the dimpled fat look worse. Always consult a physician before seeking treatment.
Keeping hydrated
Skin cells, like all other cells in the body, require water to function. Water also aids in the appearance of plump skin. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the layer of fat involved in cellulite retains water, which can contribute to its dimpled appearance.
Everyone’s hydration requirements differ depending on factors such as:
- Age
- Gender
- Health status
- Exercise levels
- Breast feeding the baby and
- Pregnancy
Using lotions or creams
Many creams and lotions claim to reduce the appearance of cellulite, and there is a wide variety available in pharmacies, spas, and online stores. When used on a daily basis, several compounds in these products may subtly reduce the appearance of cellulite, though none change the structure of the skin. Caffeine is one of these compounds that can dehydrate fat cells and make cellulite less visible.
Furthermore, products containing 0.3 percent retinol, a vitamin A derivative, may help thicken the skin, resulting in a reduction in the appearance of cellulite, according to the AAD. However, a person may need to use these products for 6 months or longer before seeing results.
Other ingredients commonly found in cellulite creams may have similar effects and benefits skin health. All skincare products have the potential to cause an allergic reaction. It is critical to test new products on a small skin patch first. If no reaction occurs within 48 hours, the product may be safe to use on a larger area.
Consuming collagen peptides
Cellulite-busting supplements, such as caffeine extract, grape seed extract, and ginkgo Biloba, are marketed by various manufacturers. Certain bioactive collagen peptide supplements, according to some research, may have this effect on some people.
Cellulite wreaks havoc on the skin’s collagen bands. Taking collagen supplements may aid in the repair of these and other structures and boost metabolism.
However, more research is needed to determine whether and to what extent collagen supplementation may reduce cellulite.
Attempting massage
Specific devices provide a deep tissue massage to help stretch the underlying skin tissues, improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
According to Trusted Source, manual and mechanical lymphatic drainage — which some consider a type of massage — can reduce the most advanced type of cellulite in as little as two weeks. Participants in this study, however, were also subjected to cervical stimulation.
Many at-home devices claim to reduce cellulite by increasing blood flow and tissue regeneration. Dry brushes, mechanical massagers, and foam rollers are among the devices available for purchase online.
Impact of diet
Diets high in fats, salt, and carbohydrates, for example, may contribute to cellulite because fats can increase inflammation, salts can encourage water retention, and carbs can help break down collagen.
A high fat, salt, or carbohydrate intake can also aid in the formation of more subcutaneous fat cells. Several nutrients, according to the study, may help reduce cellulite, including Vitamins A, C, and D zinc polyphenols, terpenoids, and silicon polyphenols, terpenoids. However, more research is needed to confirm the diet’s effects on cellulite.
Final words
Cellulite affects most adult females, and it frequently appears on the thighs. Although cellulite is not harmful to one’s health, some people wish to reduce its appearance. A variety of lifestyle changes and home remedies may have this effect for a short period, including: keeping hydrated, increasing exercise levels, including cardio and strength training, and taking collagen supplements and some creams and gels for cellulite.
