Everything You Need To Know About Cellulite
What is cellulite, and can you get rid of it?
These are two highly common questions that a lot of people ask, mainly women. You probably have a base-level understanding of what cellulite is – you know what it looks like, and you know if you have it. In fact, most of you reading this will have cellulite, which is why you’re keen to know more about it.
Generally, it is one of the major self-confidence concerns for women around the world. A lot of women don’t like the way their legs or bum look because of cellulite, causing them to avoid getting them out. This associmeans wearing trousers and long dresses during the summer months, even when you wish you could wear something shorter.
First things first, there is absolutely nothing wrong with cellulite. It is perfectly normal to have it, and you don’t need to think about getting rid of it. It isn’t a problem, but it’s understandable that some people get very caught up on certain aspects of their appearance. So, if this is something you’re very self-conscious of, we’ve put together a short guide explaining everything you need to know about cellulite.
What is cellulite?
In simple terms, cellulite is fat beneath your skin that has been pushed upwards to generate a lumpy appearance. It’s normal fat, and there is a factor of things that can cause this, but it could just be down to genetics.
A more advanced explanation is that cellulite is when fibrous bands (septae) cause fat beneath your skin to be split into numerous little pockets. The pockets of fat then push against connective tissue in the skin, bulging through and creating the dimpled appearance that everyone associates with cellulite.
Cellulite can occur in various parts of the body, but it is most commonly found on the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen. It can also be found on the calves, particularly in women who have gone through pregnancy or experienced significant weight fluctuations. However, there’s no need to stress about it too much, as there are many helpful solutions available on the market that can help you get rid of these unwanted dimples. Find the best treatment for cellulite on calves via this helpful guide and learn about your options and what to expect.
Does anything cause cellulite?
As mentioned above, genetics can be the leading cause of cellulite. You might be genetically predisposed to getting it, due to the thickness of your skin or where your body stores excess fat. Thin and fit people can get it, as can people that are overweight.
However, it is believed that being overweight can lead to an increased chance of you getting cellulite. A lack of collagen can also be the cause of it, making the skin lose its elasticity and allowing the fat to push through. As such, this is why many women get cellulite as they age.
We mentioned that this is usually a female concern, and that’s actually because of the way collagen is arranged in both men and women. For women, it’s in parallel rows, which makes it easy to split up fat into little pockets, causing cellulite. For men, collagen is formed in an X-shape, so splitting fat into pockets is harder. Hence, your chance of having cellulite increases when you’re a woman.
Can you get rid of cellulite?
Yes, you can! You are able to get rid of or reduce the appearance of cellulite, as well as reduce the chances of it forming in the first place. There are many different treatment methods and ideas that have been shown to provide impressive results.
For starters, you can use topical creams to help promote leg wellness and improve skin tightness and elasticity. These creams include natural ingredients that disperse through the skin barrier and encourage collagen and elastin production. This tightens the skin, preventing the fat from pushing through. Thus, after regular application, cellulite can reduce in appearance.
Aside from topical creams that you can apply at home, there are different cosmetic procedures that target cellulite:
Cryolipolysis – this is an innovative procedure that uses intense cold energy to freeze and kill fat cells. From here, the body will naturally remove them, leaving the area with significantly less fat. As a result, cellulite decreases because there isn’t enough fat to push through.
QWO – QWO is a prescription medicine that targets cellulite in the buttocks. It is FDA-approved, and it injects collagenase enzymes into the skin, which target the fibrous septae bands. This reverses the effects of cellulite, making the skin look tighter and smoother.
Laser treatments – a wide range of different laser treatments exist to target cellulite. They might use different laser frequencies, but they all work similarly. In essence, the lasers target and destroy the fat cells responsible for cellulite.
Can exercise get rid of cellulite?
A quick Google search will show you numerous posts and videos about the top exercise to get rid of cellulite. Unfortunately, this isn’t something you can do. There is no exercise that will get rid of cellulite, and exercising, in general, might not get rid of it.
This is because the fat responsible for cellulite is not dietary. Therefore, no amount of exercise will get rid of it. Instead, exercising can tighten up the skin around your legs because you get more muscle tone, which might reduce the visibility.
So, exercising could help you reduce the appearance of cellulite, but it is not going to get rid of it. If you are really self-conscious about your cellulite, you will need to seek out specific treatments for it.
Is cellulite preventable?
Yes and no. Yes, you can do things to delay the appearance of cellulite or prevent it from appearing. However, we can’t say that everyone will be able to prevent it because your genetics play such a key role. Still, if you exercise, maintain a healthy weight, and take care of your skin, you can reduce the chances of getting cellulite or at least reduce how severe it will be.
To finish, we must reiterate that cellulite is such a normal thing and nothing to be ashamed of. It’s estimated that around 80% of women experience it at some point, so you’re not alone! It is encouraged that you embrace your body and learn to deal with cellulite so it doesn’t knock your confidence. However, if you struggle to do this and it has been something that’s played on your mind for years, then you can find treatments that will get rid of it. Creams do work, but they can take a while to kick into action and the results aren’t instantaneous. If you’re willing to spend a bit of money, opt for cosmetic cellulite treatments.
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