Normal work of the vascular system
When the vascular system begins to fail…
cel*lu*lite (noun): deposits of fat within fibrous connective tissue (as in the thighs, hips, and buttocks) that give a puckered and dimpled appearance to the skin surface.
cel*lu*li*tis (noun): diffuse skin and subcutaneous inflammation of soft tissue, usually associated with infection.
"Cottage cheese" or "orange peel" thighs… You’ve heard it all and nobody likes them. That dimpled, irregular, and un-toned appearance of skin
Cellulite is a non-medical term used to describe how superficial fatty deposits collect, and are pressed against or are constricted by the bands of connective tissue. The connective tissue runs from the muscle to the undermost area of the skin. Cellulite can be made worse by the superficial layer of fat being pushed tightly against the skin by a deeper layer of fat. This may happen when you gain weight or when a formation of more tightly crossed connective tissue bands or from scar tissue formation after liposuction. However, excess deep layer fat need not be an issue for cellulite to appear. Many people have cellulite that do not have excess deep layer fat.
It is estimated that 90% of the female population have or will have cellulite at some point in their life. It is not something which only plagues the obese or overweight – it can affect any of us and has no prejudice. So throw everything out the window that you’ve heard about cellulite and listen up. Your skinny little cousin may have it, your average-weight friend who just had lipo may have it, that overweight lady at the deli may have it, that muscular cardio-freak woman at the gym probably doesn’t have it but who needs her?
Pinch your thigh slightly and if you begin to see dents and bumps that is cellulite. However, many of us don’t even have to pinch our thighs to see it. For many of us we can stand there, innocently, and tear up at the sight of our dimpled backsides in the mirror.
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Cellulite is a special kind of fat. It is fat that is located just underneath the skin. In men, this fat is typically not problematic and is smoothly dispersed, however, in women this fat builds and begins to form bumps and bulges through the skin. So why does superficial fat organize itself differently in men and women? Here’s why: Men organize their fat in connective tissue that runs parallel to their skin. This results in a smooth buildup of fat. Women however, organize their fat parallel to their skin. This causes a pulling down effect which creates bulges of fat or what is commonly referred to as cellulite. This causes cellulite to be seen more in women than in men. So why is Cellulite so hard to get rid of? The truth is superficial fat (cellulite) is the last to be affected by exercise and diet. This makes weight management and cellulite two separate issues. Another point to remember is cellulite is genetic; the level for which your fat turns into cellulite is determined by your genes. If you want to know how much cellulite you will have, take a good look at your mother. Factors influencing cellulite and fat include genetic predisposition, hormones, hydration, diet, exercise, stress, drugs and medications. These factors influence where and how fat is stored, where and how fluid is retained, and the amount and arrangement of collagen and elastin fibers in the connective tissue layers of the skin.
Normal work of the vascular system
When normal fatty tissue is stored, it is held in place by a network of collagen and elastin fibers and is supplied by a network of vascular and lymph vessels. When the system works well, the vascular system takes energy from the fat stores as required, and toxins are flushed away via the lymph vessels.
When the vascular system begins to fail…
When the waste removal system starts to fail, waste products start building up and the connective tissue becomes saturated with fluid, and is often inflamed and swollen. Growing fat cells (adipocytes) destroy the network of collagen and elastin fibers, which then thicken (fibrose) around these cells forming hard pockets of fat, encroaching on vascular and lymphatic vessels.
The hardened pockets of fat are the cause of the "orange peel" or "cottage cheese" appearance known as cellulite. Cellulite often becomes painful if the pressure within the pockets of fat becomes too high.
Cellulite can be diagnosed and categorized into four stages. The more advanced the condition of cellulite, the greater the effort required to treat it. When treating cellulite, the congested lymph and waste system needs to be cleared, the fibrosis around the hardened pockets of fat needs to be softened or broken down and the weak network of collagen and elastin fibers needs to be strengthened and re-modeled.
1. Cellulite only occurs in women – FALSE
This is probably one of the most believed cellulite myths of all. The truth is, cellulite does affect as much as 90% women but can also affect men.
In fact data shows that as least 6,000 men in the U.S. sought treatment for cellulite last year. It is believed men with a lower level of the hormone androgen have a tendency to develop cellulite.
You might be wondering why cellulite seems to be a female issue. The reason for this is the way that women organize their fat.
Unlike men who organize their fat parallel to their skin, women organize fat in a perpendicular fashion. This causes fat to pull down on the skin creating uneven bumpy layers of fat or what you see as cellulite.
2. Liposuction gets rid of cellulite – FALSE
Here is another cellulite myth most people believe to be true. Liposuction does not get rid of cellulite; in fact it makes cellulite worst.
Cellulite is superficial fat, which is fat underneath the top layer of skin. Liposuction does not remove fat in this layer of skin; it removes fat in deeper layers of skin.
After a person has liposuction the fat in the superficial layer of skin becomes more visible and flabby looking – not the result you want if your main concern is removing cellulite.
3. Exercise eliminates cellulite – FALSE
Cellulite is caused by hormonal and genetic factors and exercise will not eliminate cellulite. However, this doesn’t mean to skip out on exercise.
While exercise won’t eliminate your cellulite it will help to prevent and manage your cellulite.
The less fat you have, the less chance the fat will turn into cellulite. So build your muscle and burn that fat!
4. Drinking lots of water reduces cellulite – FALSE
While drinking lots of water is healthy for you, it does not help eliminate cellulite. Truth be told, too much water enhances the appearance of your cellulite.
Developers of cellulite creams know this and add ingredients which work to eliminate excess water in the body.
Caffeine and aminophylline are popular ingredients in cellulite treatments due to their ability to dehydrate the skin. This causes cellulite to look firmer and smoother.
5. There is such thing as a cellulite diet – FALSE
Unfortunately, there isn’t a cellulite fighting food. No food will reduce or eliminate cellulite. However, the benefits of a healthy diet are worth taking up.
A healthy anti-cellulite diet will prevent you from fatty foods which promote unwanted cellulite.
Please contact
The Medical Cellulite Center at
La Fontaine Aesthetics
in Cherry Creek, Denver, Colorado,
for a Complimentary Cellulite Consultation
and Personalized Treatment Plan.
303.355.4772
2774 East 2nd Avenue, Denver, CO 80206