Cellulite - What Is It & Why Do We Get It?

Cellulite refers to the fatty pockets that show up as that harmless but unattractive dimpled pattern in the skin. Although anyone can have cellulite, it is most commonly found in the thighs and buttocks of teenage girls and women. Cellulite is really more of a condition than a substance, although the term is used both ways.

Although cellulite is not related to being overweight, extra fat may magnify the effect. It is really a genetic predisposition that results in a certain pattern in connective tissues which causes the adipose deposits of fatty tissue to form an indented honeycomb pattern that shows up in the skin as cellulite.

Women are especially susceptible to the occurrence of cellulite, because it is affected by hormones, such as estrogen, as well as hormonal changes. Puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and birth control all account for broad swings in a woman’s hormonal balance, and these episodes are often accompanied by the appearance of cellulite.

There is no health risk related to cellulite, and so its primary disadvantage is its unsightly cosmetic appearance. Recent medical studies even concluded that extra fat in the pelvic area might be beneficial in preventing diabetes and heart disease. Nevertheless, it is a condition that attacks the self-esteem and lifestyle of millions of women during their most appearance-conscious years. Consequently, Methods of treatment and prevention of cellulite have been sought after for years.

The traditional therapeutic methods and attempted cures of the 20th Century mostly fell short of success. Many doctors will still recommend aerobic exercise and fat burning as a mode of attacking the problem. However, for most people cellulite does not respond much to dietary and exercise regimens.

Diets high in fiber and low in carbohydrates may help remediate the severity of the dimpling in some cases, but it cannot eliminate or “cure” cellulite, as it is the result of a genetic pattern in the bands of connective tissue known as “septae” that join and hold fat cells together. It is also believed that smoking and wearing tight underwear that restricts blood flow can contribute to the appearance of cellulite.

Liposuction is not usually recommended for cellulite, as it removes the layer of fat beneath the area of cellulite, which is actually directly beneath and semi-attached to the skin. Finally, new advances in topical treatments, manual procedures, chemical injections, and mechanical and electronic devices are making some reliable and proven headway in the treatment and reduction of cellulite.

- SmartLipo: The New Lipo.