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Cellulite: where does the unappetizing "orange peel" come from?
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
Cellulite is a purely cosmetic problem, not a disease or health condition, as many people believe.
Read also: Cellulite and how to fight it
It looks like the notorious orange peel, and all the bumps and lumps become even more noticeable when the skin is squeezed. The cause of cellulite is the structure of the subcutaneous fat tissue. Most often, cellulite appears on the buttocks, thighs, abdomen, but can even occur on the arms and chest.
Causes of cellulite
Cellulite is caused by fat deposits that are located side by side with connective tissue that is attached to the skin and muscles. In women, these fibers are located vertically in a straight direction, and 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 fat deposits - the more there are, the more tubercles and unevenness.
Read also: How to get rid of cellulite on your legs: 5 effective ways
Cellulite only happens to overweight people – myth
Healthy women should have a body fat percentage of at least 21%, and even slim, fit women may notice signs of cellulite, as this is due to the structure of the subcutaneous fat tissue. Therefore, the widespread belief that cellulite is a concern exclusively for overweight people is nothing more than a myth.
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Risk factors
The degree of cellulite is influenced by several factors. Firstly, genetics, i.e. if a mother has cellulite, then her daughter will have it too. Race is also important – Asian women have cellulite less often than white women. Age and pregnancy can also influence the appearance of “orange peel”.
Risk factors that can be influenced
For example, following all kinds of diets, fluid retention in the body, a sedentary lifestyle and dehydration - all this can be avoided and thus cellulite will become less pronounced.
Tanning and cellulite
Tanning only makes cellulite less noticeable, but does not hide it. But after the tan is washed off, all the bumps and dimples can become even more noticeable. The reason for this is the action of ultraviolet rays, which thin and dry the skin, which is why cellulite becomes more pronounced.
Losing weight won't help?
It would seem that in order to cope with cellulite, it is enough to just lose weight. However, it is not that simple. Weight loss, especially significant, leads to the fact that the elasticity of the skin decreases and therefore the "orange peel" becomes more noticeable, so simply losing extra pounds and instantly getting rid of the problem will not work.
Cosmetic procedures
Most cosmetic procedures are aimed at reducing the appearance of cellulite. To do this, intensive moisturizing and toning procedures are carried out, as well as removing excess fluid from the subcutaneous layer. The effect does not last long and everything returns to normal.
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.