Exactly What Is Cellulite?

By Loretta Hook


If you are worried about unattractive cellulite that seems to be most prone for women in the butt, thigh and calves then you will find this article very informative. Learning what causes cellulite and how to get rid of cellulite are the first steps in eliminating it. Cellulite is not just for fat or overweight people. Thin women have cellulite as well.

What Exactly Is Cellulite?

We all know what cellulite looks like...it is dimpled look on your thighs and other areas that is almost impossible to get rid of. But what the heck is cellulite.? The medical terms for cellulite is adiposis edematosa, dermopanniculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis, and gynoid lipodystrophy. A less confusing explanation for cellulite is It is just fat. The fat isn't responsible for the lumpy look though, it is pockets of fat that are deep under the skin that push against the underlying connective tissue. When the fat expands it takes up space under the skin, which places a lot of pressure on the connective tissue. The pressure from the fat against the tissue pushes everything against it, creating the dimpled look we all know and love. When there are numerous fat pockets, there are numerous bumps and it just keeps expanding further across the skin.

Have you even baked a tray of cinnamon buns? You set them in a round pan probably around 6-8 and you let them cook. They begin to expand further and further until they are so tightly wedged into that pan they have no where to go but up. This is exactly what cellulite does, it is pressing up again the upper layer of our skin and causing the dimpled look.

When we are young, the connective tissue is more elastic, and remains smooth. Once you reach puberty, your hormones start to play a role in your skin making it less elastic and much stiffer. With age the outer layer of skin weakens making cellulite more pronounced. Regardless, you don't like cellulite and neither do I. Millions of dollars are spent each year trying to eliminate cellulite and it affects more than 85 percent of women whether you are overweight or thin.

Why Women Have Cellulite More Than Men

A woman has much thinner skin than a man. The epidermis is a lot thicker in a male than a woman, so when a man has fat pressing again the underlying connective tissue, it is met with more resistance.

Another reason is because male and female skin is different. The female fat cells sit within side by side rows, so when the fat expands it is pushed upwards, like squeezing icing out of a tube. It just pops out at the top. A male's fat cells are contained in a criss-crossed pattern. The space inside each criss cross is much smaller, so it doesn't pop out the top in the same way. A man will tend to create a big blob of fat if it does penetrate the connective tissue.

Wearing tight underwear constricts the blood flow in your lower half. This causes cellulite to develop much quicker. You don't have to go so far as big baggy underwear but something that is a little loser and allows blood flow will go a long way in reducing cellulite.

What Is Cellulite Caused From?

Being a woman is the major reason for developing cellulite for the reasons already stated. Men generally do not suffer from having cellulite. But there are a couple other reason. Diet: Having a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, with lean protein and good fats will greatly improve your skin. A poor diet stresses the body and the skin causing failure of some type. Lymph Glands: The lymphatic drainage system is meant to remove excess fluid and waste from our tissues. Waste products begin to accumulate in the tissue if there has been damage. Hormones: Cellulite usually begins developing when a young girl reaches puberty and her hormones begin to fluctuate. This can be the case at any other time in a woman's life when there are changes in hormones, such as pregnancy and menopause. Genetics: Look at your mom or grandmother and see if they had cellulite. If they did chances are you will develop it. There are other factors at play here such as if you have a slow metabolism, poor circulation and how the fat in your body is distributed.

How to Prevent Cellulite

Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the most important things you can do to begin reducing cellulite. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, along with lean protein and good fats will begin the process of removing toxins from your body. These toxins are stored in the fat cells, and they expands as more toxins are added. So a good diet is crucial. Having a glass of hot water with fresh lemon juice in it first thing in the morning will cleanse your liver. Plenty of water throughout the day will continue to flush toxins out of your body. Exercise is important as well, sweating removes toxins and helps keep our bodies toned. You really are what you eat, your diet account for 80% of how you look with exercise only accounting for 20 %.




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