Cellulite: where does the unappetizing "orange peel" come from?
Last reviewed: 23.11.2021
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Cellulite is a purely cosmetic problem, not a disease or a state of health, as many believe.
Read also: Cellulite and how to fight it
It looks like a notorious orange peel, and all irregularities and tubercles become noticeable even more when squeezing the skin. The cause of cellulite is the structure of subcutaneous fat. Most often, cellulite appears on the buttocks, hips, abdomen, but can even occur on the arms and chest.
The causes of the appearance of cellulite
The appearance of cellulite is caused by fat deposits that are located side by side with the connective fibers that attach to the skin and muscles. In women, these fibers are located vertically in the forward direction, and in the place where they connect to the skin, a dimple is formed, and where there is no such connection, a tubercle. The severity of cellulite depends on the amount of fatty deposits - the more of them, the more bumps and irregularities.
Read also: How to get rid of cellulite on your legs: 5 effective ways
Cellulite is only in the full - the myth
In healthy women, the percentage of fat in the body should be at least 21% and even slender, smart women can notice the signs of cellulite, because this is due to the structure of subcutaneous fat. Therefore, the widespread opinion that cellulite - a concern exclusively for people with excess weight - is nothing more than a myth.
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Risk factors
The degree of severity of cellulite is influenced by several factors. First, genetics, that is, if a mother has cellulite, then he will also have daughters. Also, racial affiliation matters - in Asians, cellulite is less common than in white. Also, the appearance of the "orange peel" can affect the age and pregnancy.
Risk factors that can be affected
For example, following all sorts of diets, fluid retention in the body, sedentary lifestyle and dehydration - all this can be avoided and thus cellulite will become less pronounced.
Sunburn and cellulite
Sunburn only makes cellulite less visible, but does not hide it. But after the tan is washed away, all the tubercles and dimples can become even more noticeable. The reason for this - the effect of ultraviolet rays, which thinner and dry the skin due to what the cellulite becomes more pronounced.
Losing weight will not help?
It would seem that in order to cope with cellulite, it is enough just to lose weight. However, not all so simple. Loss of weight, especially significant, leads to the fact that the elasticity of the skin is reduced and therefore the "orange peel" becomes more noticeable, because simply to lose those extra pounds and instantly get rid of the problem will not work.
Cosmetic procedures
Most cosmetic procedures are aimed at reducing the severity of cellulite. To do this, intensive moisturizing and toning procedures are performed, as well as removal of excess fluid from the subcutaneous layer. The effect does not last long and everything returns to normal again.
Read also: Cosmetic methods of combating cellulite
To make these procedures more effective, you need to exercise and change your diet to a healthier one.