Cellulite is a very common skin condition, it affects 90% of women and causes the appearance of bumps and dimples on the thighs, hips, buttocks and abdomen, which is why it is commonly called "orange peel".
Although it is a purely aesthetic issue, in many cases it affects our self-esteem.
What causes orange peel skin and cellulite?
1. Risk factors for the appearance of cellulite and orange peel skin
There are several factors that cause the appearance of cellulite:
Hormonal factors play an important role in the appearance of cellulite.
genetics determine skin structure, skin texture and body type.
Other factors such as weight, muscle tone, sedentary lifestyle habits or diet affect the occurrence of cellulite, although even fit people can have cellulite.
Most women develop some cellulite at some point in their lives, for example, after puberty. This is because women's fat is usually distributed in the thighs, hips and buttocks - the common areas for cellulite. Cellulite is also more common with aging, when the skin loses elasticity.
Weight gain can make cellulite more noticeable, but some thin people also have cellulite. It tends to run in families, so genetics may play the most important role in the development of cellulite. An inactive lifestyle can also increase your chances of getting cellulite, as can pregnancy.
2. How cellulite forms
When we do not purify the toxins properly, the retained liquid ends up causing the fat cells (adipocytes) to grow in size and quantity, producing the bulging of the skin.
In addition, the blood vessels that irrigate this tissue are imprisoned, carrying less oxygen to the connective tissue that connects the skin to the muscle. As a result, it loses elasticity and tightens, pulling the skin inward, forming the dimpling we see in the skin.
Cellulite therefore affects both the fibrous connective cords that hold the skin to the underlying muscle and the fat between them.
As the fat cells accumulate, they push up against the skin, while the long, hard cords pull down. This creates an irregular surface or dimpling.
3. Why does cellulite originate?
Cellulite usually starts with a malfunction of the lymphatic system, and contrary to what we tend to think, it has nothing to do with overweight.
We have two systems in the body, the circulatory and the lymphatic. The first maintains the supply of nutrients to the tissues, and the second removes metabolic wastes. If these malfunction, the waste products are not eliminated and accumulate in the fat cells, and that 'orange peel' look we all hate appears.
So, contrary to what you may believe, cellulite is not removed by consuming less fat. When we diet and exercise, we burn the fat that is next to the muscle, but we do not reduce the fat nodules formed by adipocytes.
Of course, we can improve the appearance of the skin, and lose weight, but if we do not treat the origin of cellulite, we will continue with the "dimples" for life. In fact, and not to discourage, it is a progressive process, and once it appears it will inevitably increase if we do not solve it.
Now you will understand better why slim and sporty women can also have cellulite. Of course, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits will always be better, eating a balanced diet, drinking enough water and practicing some exercise.
But to avoid (or reduce) cellulite the secret is to keep the lymphatic (the drainage network) and cardiovascular (the "pump" that pumps the blood) systems active.
Early symptoms of cellulite and skin orange peel texture
As we have seen, cellulite is found deep in the skin, but the first signs that it is developing are noticed when we squeeze the skin with our hands and see dimples forming, even though when we do not squeeze, the skin is smooth.
If we do not act at this time, cellulite will continue its process, and will progressively worsen, going from grade I to grade IV and even V in severe cases.
During this process, we will see how it becomes progressively more evident to the eye.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Self-care can make a big difference in improving the appearance of your skin. Cellulite must be attacked from different points, which is why it is often so difficult to get rid of:
- Losing weight. If you have some extra weight, losing weight and toning muscles can help improve the appearance of dimpled skin.
- Physical activity. Muscle-toning activities can help improve the appearance of dimpled skin. They also help with circulation and lymphatic drainage. Find one or more activities that you enjoy and that fit into your routine, such as yoga, Pilates, swimming, hiking, biking, stair climbing and dancing!!!!
- Detox diet. This diet involves consuming less alcohol, refined foods, carbohydrates and saturated fats. It encourages a diet based on fresh vegetables and fruits, drinking enough water, whole foods, fiber-rich foods, and essential nutrients and fatty acids (Omega 3). This diet alone will not cure your cellulite, but it will help you, and it will take care of your health as well. (Not yet available in the USA)
- Do not smoke
- Food Supplements: They can help you to reduce cellulite fat, help the body's purifying system, drain toxins, recover the elasticity of the connective tissue...
- Cosmetics: by themselves are not enough, it is difficult to penetrate and act in the deep layers where the problem is but applied with a vigorous massage can help. Creams are more effective to prevent and in the initial stages of cellulite. In these cases, they tend to help prevent the perfect situation for cellulite to develop by preventing fluid retention and activating micro-circulation.
- Fat burning and anti-cellulite massage on the affected area, daily if possible, accompanied or combined with a draining massage.
