Tackling The Problem of Cellulite

Cellulite – or orange peel skin – affects 80 percent of women some time in their lives. Yet medics are loathe to admin that the puckered, dimpled blotchy surface skin that mars so many female buttocks, hips and thighs is anything more than just plain fat.  So how come dieting doesn’t always shift it? More to the point – is there anything out there that does?

What causes Cellulite?

Cellulite is an essentially female problem – men rarely suffer unless they’re seriously, clinically obese. On average, women have 35 billion adipocytes (fat cells) compared to 28 billion in men. Deposited around the muscles, adipose fats plays an essential role in controlling body temperature and providing survival rations during pregnancy should food become scarce..

Cellulite gurus also implicate highly refined food, fizzy soft drinks, alcohol, coffee and smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Hormones are thought to govern cellulite formation. Surges of estrogen levels dwindle along with fat reserves that store the hormone.  Taking some forms HRT and the contraceptive Pill can encourage both cellulite and the fluid retention that accompanies it. Cellulite can also be hereditary.

Two stages of Cellulite formation

Research at laboratories Elancyl pinpoints two stages of cellulite formation, both hormone-induced: water cellulite and fatty cellulite.  Water cellulite occurs during the first phase of the female cycle as the body stores water and fats prior to ovulation. Oestrogen  slackens blood vessel walls, so the dermis and adipose tissue is flooded and fluid leaks to neighbouring tissue . If more water than fats is stored, bloating results. At the end of the cycle, fluid returns to the lymphatic circulation and fat is burned as energy.

Pinch an inch: Early signs of cellulite are clearly visible when you pinch the fresh. Do your thighs pass the squeeze test or do you have classic “orange peel” dimples?

If you have water cellulite, when you pinch the flesh, the surface skin is curved, taught and sheeny. When you press it, your finger sinks into the puffy surface. You may also feel generally bloated. Catch water cellulite early, and you can halt its progress to the second stage. Adopt lymphatic drainage techniques such as skin brushing, massage and exercise. Body or “inch” wraps may also help temporary bloating.

Fatty cellulite occurs as the female cycle becomes less efficient. Fats that accumulate in the first half of the cycle remain unburned.  Fat cells swell with fatty acids and sugars. Surrounding capillaries are compressed, vessels become congested with fluids and circulation slows. Elastin and collagen fibres are also compressed, causing loss of tissue tone.

If you have fatty cellulite, when you pinch the flesh, it has the classic “orange peel” dimples. Prod and it hurts – the fat cells compress nerve endings, too. Poor circulation also means the skin bruises easily and feels cooler than cellulite-free zones. Discourage fatty cellulite from becoming impacted by stepping up exercise and modifying your diet, especially during the second half of your cycle. Massage may help. A skin-conditioning cream will improve surface smoothness.