How Does One Get Cellulite?

How Does One Get Cellulite?

Did you know that around 90% of all women will have cellulite at one point or another in their lives? This statistic means that it’s practically unavoidable – although it’s completely treatable. In order to understand just how pervasive cellulite is in our lives, you first need to realize how many different factors are involved in its formation, as well as what cellulite is in general. Here’s a simple definition of cellulite, followed by the answer to the question that everyone wants to know the answer to – how does one get cellulite?

What Exactly Is Cellulite?

To put it simply, cellulite is dimpled skin that has the texture of the exterior of an orange peel. The skin has a lumpy and dimpled appearance, rather than the perfectly smooth one that you’d expect. It usually appears on the butt, the backs of the thighs, and in some cases, on the abdomen. While you mainly see cellulite on women who are middle-aged or older, it can certainly appear on younger women as well. It all depends on the factors that cause it, which we’ll go into below. And yes, some men can end up with cellulite, although it mainly appears on women.

There Are Different Grades

In general, there are three different grades of cellulite. The first is grade is called mild cellulite. This consists of skin that has the classic orange-peel like texture, but with few depressions, lumps, and only a little bit of loose skin that looks as though it’s draped. The next is moderate cellulite, the main characteristic of which is the cottage-cheese-like look and feel of the skin in the affected areas. There are also more depressions and lumps, as well as skin that looks increasingly draped. Finally, there’s the third grade of cellulite. This one is called severe. With it, the skin in the affected area has a large number of depressions and lumps, and the draping is worse. No matter the grade, you do have some treatment options.

It Involves Connective Tissues and Fat Layers

Now, let’s get into the main cause of cellulite. Although many experts still aren’t quite exactly how it forms, they do understand that it involves a separation between the connective tissues under your skin allowing the fat layers that lie under them to protrude through. In women, these layers (both the fat layers and the connective tissue) are vertically flat against each other. What you’re seeing when you examine your cellulite is the fat layers themselves as they move through the tissues.

Hormones and Your Genes Play a Role

One of the major theories about the causes of cellulite involves estrogen. When women get older, their estrogen rates decrease, changing the amount of blood that tends to flow through the connective tissues. Once this blood flow decreases, the tissues are more likely to separate, allowing the fat layer to peek through. Your body’s decreased collagen rates make a difference here as well. On top of this, genes can play a factor in the production of cellulite. If your mother and grandmother had it, then you are likely to end up with it as well. Your metabolism, which tends to be inherited, also plays a part.

Don’t Forget About Diet and Lifestyle

Your diet and overall lifestyle are factors as well. If you eat right and exercise regularly, then you’re much less likely to have cellulite, because you won’t have any fat layer to protrude through the connective tissue. While there are women who exercise regularly and still have cellulite, they have much less of it, and the appearance will be minimal. In addition, if you eat a lot of carbohydrates and sugar-laden foods, and tend to spend most of your time sitting or laying down, then you’re much more likely to have cellulite. Changes to your diet and lifestyle can help make a difference if you’re concerned about your cellulite.

Do You Want to Get Rid of Your Cellulite?

If you want to get rid of your cellulite, you can rest assured that you are not alone. It’s safe to say that no one who has it is actually happy about having skin that looks lumpy and dimpled in texture. While many women (and even some men, although they are less likely to get cellulite) aren’t letting their cellulite stop them from wearing shorts and bathing suits, they are more likely to have additional confidence in their bodies once it’s been diminished.

Contact us today at Eterna MD to see what your options are.