Cellulite: Symptoms, Causes, How to Get Rid of It and Treatment
Author MUDr. Peter Bednarčík CSc.
Revision
Do you see uneven terrain on your thighs and buttocks that resembles orange peel? Cellulite, although quite common, can trigger a wave of frustration, insecurity and slightly lower self-esteem for many.
Find out what causes it, treatment options and what helps cellulite. How to suppress the symptoms associated with it? Read more here.
What does cellulite look like?
Cellulite is most often found on the thighs and buttocks. In these places you will discover:
- bumps,
- dimples,
- wrinkled areas.
Some people may feel pain or tenderness in these areas when touched or pressed.
Only a doctor can make a correct diagnosis. Do not use this or any other article on the internet to make a diagnosis. Don’t put off seeing a doctor and address your condition early.
Cellulite - Description and causes
Millions of women around the world are struggling with how to get rid of cellulite. While cellulite is not a serious health problem, the so-called orange skin is aesthetically unpleasant for most women. Therefore, they are looking for ways to remove it.
So let’s take a look at what helps cellulite, and what exactly the fight against cellulite can look like in practice.
What is cellulite
Cellulite, referred to as orange or cottage cheese skin, is primarily a cosmetic problem.
With cellulite, bumps and dimples appear on the skin and the affected areas look wrinkled. Cellulite is most common on the thighs and buttocks. Cellulite on the abdomen is also common. [1]
The cause of cellulite
Changes in the structure of the subcutaneous cells are thought to be the main cause of cellulite.
There are layers of different types of tissue under the skin, and if fat cells start to push through the subcutaneous connective tissue towards the surface, typical dimples form on the skin. The arrangement of the subcutaneous cells and the thickness of the skin are different in women than in men. For this reason, cellulite is predominantly a female problem. However, other factors also play a significant role in the development of cellulite:
- heredity,
- skin firmness,
- hormonal changes,
- age,
- passive and unhealthy lifestyle.
Cellulite usually starts to appear after puberty. It can also become more pronounced during pregnancy. A drop in the female hormone estrogen at menopause, reduced collagen production and thinning of the skin are other risk factors for the development or worsening of cellulite. Cellulite tends to be more common and more visible in overweight women, but it is certainly not true that a slim figure is a guarantee of smooth, cellulite-free skin. [2],[3]
Grades of cellulite
Cellulite can vary in intensity, so there are three grades used to assess it.
-
Cellulitis 1.
Grades – If you stand, the skin on your legs, buttocks and abdomen is smooth. When you’re sitting, there are small dimples on the skin. -
Cellulitis 2.
Grades – Both sitting and standing, dimples and bumps are visible on the skin, resembling the texture on orange peel. -
Cellulitis 3.
Grades – In areas typical for this issue (thighs, buttocks, abdomen, hips), the skin shows deeper irregularities. They appear regardless of body position. [4]
Cellulite or lipedema?
It is not only cellulite that affects the appearance of the skin. There is also a diagnosis called lipedema. Some of the manifestations (dimples and bumps on the skin) may be similar to cellulite, but it is a completely different condition.
- The cause of lipedema is the abnormal accumulation of fat in certain parts of the body.
- The legs, hips, thighs, abdomen and buttocks are particularly affected, and sometimes the hands are also affected, with swelling and sensitive skin.
- It is accompanied by feelings of pressure to pain and requires treatment.
- Weight reduction, tightening aids or fat removal through liposuction are essential in the treatment. [5]
Diagnosis - do I need to discuss cellulite with my doctor?
Cellulite is considered more of an aesthetic problem than a health problem. If you want to consult a doctor on how to improve the appearance of skin with this issue, it is recommended to visit either a skin doctor or an aesthetic medicine clinic.
The doctor will assess the condition of the cellulite by looking and feeling and can recommend an appropriate course of action.
Did you know?
- 80% to 90% of women develop cellulite during their lifetime.
- Cellulite in men is rare, with statistics indicating less than 10%. [6]
Complications when left untreated
Cellulite is not painful and does not affect your overall health. Orange skin can have negative effects on the psyche, especially for women. [7]
- Reduced self-esteem. It can lead to dissatisfaction with your own body.
- Social anxiety. Trying to hide the affected parts.
- Isolation. Trying to avoid situations such as wearing swimsuits in public and going to the beach.
- Influencing your intimate life. Women may feel less attractive in their intimate relationships.
Reduced self-esteem
Anxiety
Isolation
Effect on intimate life
We recommend not postponing cellulite treatment
Do not delay treatment, and if you have any health problems or doubts about your health, see a specialist.
Cellulite treatment
Currently, there is no reliable and scientifically proven treatment for cellulite with a lasting effect. [8] The treatment usually combines various procedures and methods that have a temporary effect. [9]
- Laser therapy – a small laser probe is used which is inserted under the skin. The heat disrupts connective and adipose tissue while stimulating collagen production.
- Acoustic shock wave – a probe is applied to areas with cellulite, which sends waves that accelerate the breakdown of fat cells and promote collagen production. Several treatments are required to achieve a visible effect.
- Liposuction in combination with laser or ultrasound – liposuction alone will not remove cellulite; on the contrary, it can worsen the appearance of the skin. However, according to the latest findings, it can have a good effect when combined with laser or ultrasound. [10]
- Carboxytherapy – injection of carbon dioxide under the skin has a regenerative effect and promotes blood circulation in the tissues. It can improve the condition of the skin. [11]
Beware
Treatment for cellulitis can only be determined by your doctor after considering your overall health. Therefore, do not use this article as a guide to treatment, which can only be determined by a doctor.
Cellulite and massage
Another option to combat peel orange skin is anti-cellulite massages.
A specific discipline in this regard is maderotherapy – massages performed with wooden tools of various shapes and sizes. Massage promotes the activity of the lymphatic system, contributes to the flushing of toxins from the body and helps to shape the parts of the body where the most fat is deposited. For visible changes to the skin, massage and other treatments must be repeated. [12]
In connection with this issue you may come across the term LPG massage or lipomassage.
This massage speeds up the activity of the lymphatic system, which helps to flush out harmful substances from the body and promotes fat breakdown. The procedure helps with body shaping. Special LPG machines are used. Massages need to be repeated and their effect is short-lived. [13]
Home remedies
Various creams and gels are also used to remove cellulite. Creams to fight this issue usually contain retinol, a substance that strengthens the skin and thus reduces the bumps and dimples typical of cellulite.
Products with retinol need to be used regularly and for a long time, as the effect does not occur immediately after application. [14] Another ingredient in anti-cellulite creams is caffeine, which dehydrates the cells and reduces the unevenness of the skin. [15]
Cellulite and lifestyle
If you want to improve the appearance of skin that is already showing cellulite or prevent it from getting worse, it is worth following a few healthy lifestyle principles.
A balanced, varied diet with a reduction in unhealthy fats, sugars and salt benefits the whole body. People with unhealthy diets that are high in fatty and sugary foods have a higher risk of developing cellulite.
Smoking, lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle can also be considered a risk factor. [16]
Sport promotes muscle tone, which can improve the appearance of skin with this issue. Experts recommend pilates, yoga, swimming, brisk walking or dancing. [17]
Dietary supplements with ginkgo biloba or grape seed extract, which sometimes appear in recommendations on how to fight it, can promote blood circulation and protect skin cells.
However, they cannot be considered cellulite treatment products with a proven effect against orange skin. [18]
Anti-cellulite leggings and other compression aids promote blood and lymphatic circulation. Better circulation can make cellulite less visible, but it is advisable to combine these aids with other methods of fighting cellulite.
TIP: Exercises – Pilates firms the body and can help improve and appearance of skin.
Myths and misconceptions about cellulite
A lot is said and written about cellulite these days, but not all of the information is true. We therefore select the most common myths about it and set them straight.
Myth no. 1- Cellulite only affects obese people
It can affect even thin women, regardless of body shape. However, cellulite is more noticeable on a thicker figure due to the greater amount of subcutaneous fat.
Myth no. 2 – Skin firming creams cure cellulite
Although many cosmetic products promise to get rid of this issue, no miracle cream can completely and permanently remove it. Creams and gels with retinol can improve the appearance of the skin and make it firmer with long-term use, but they are not treatments in the true sense of the word.
Myth no. 3 – Cellulite will be solved by liposuction
Although liposuction reduces the amount of subcutaneous fat, it is not a solution to cellulite. On the other hand, liposuction itself can worsen the appearance of orange-skinned areas, as the fat distribution changes after the procedure and the orange peel skin can become even more visible. [19]
Important information for cellulite
- Cellulite causes dimples and bumps on the skin of the buttocks, thighs and abdomen.
This condition is popularly known as orange skin. - It occurs when fat cells push through connective tissue towards the skin, creating unevenness in the skin.
- Hormonal changes, unhealthy lifestyle, heredity and skin type are all involved in the development of cellulite.
- It can be alleviated by various procedures (e.g. laser therapy, acoustic shock wave, massage or cosmetic products), but no permanent and scientifically proven treatment method is available.
Summary and recommendations for dealing with cellulite
See a doctor
Cellulite treatment is best determined by your doctor based on a general examination, an assessment of your health and an accurate diagnosis.
Causal treatment of cellulite
After a general examination, your doctor will recommend treatment for the cause of your cellulite. They will also advise you on possible lifestyle adjustments and the next course of action.
Promoting blood circulation and detoxification
Symptomatic treatment focuses on the symptoms of the disease. Such treatment can significantly improve your quality of life and support comprehensive treatment during the course of the disease.
Sources, references and literature
[1] Cellulite. Mayo Clinic, 21. November 2023.
Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulite/symptoms-causes/syc-20354945 [2] Cellulite. Mayo Clinic, 21. November 2023.
Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulite/symptoms-causes/syc-20354945 [3] Crosta P. Everything you need to know about cellulite.
Medical News Today, 13.
November 2023.
Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149465 [4] Cellulite.
Cleveland Clinic, 28. October 2021. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17694-cellulite [5] Lockett E. Lipedema or Cellulite?
How to Tell the Difference. Healthline, 12. May 2021.
Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/lipedema-vs-cellulite [6] Cellulite.
Cleveland Clinic, 28. October 2021. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17694-cellulite [7] Cellulite.
Cleveland Clinic, 28. October 2021. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17694-cellulite [8] Cellulite.
Cleveland Clinic, 28. October 2021. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17694-cellulite [9] Cellulite. Mayo Clinic, 21. November 2023.
Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulite/symptoms-causes/syc-20354945[10] Cellulite. Mayo Clinic, 21. November 2023.
Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulite/symptoms-causes/syc-20354945[11] Crosta P. Everything you need to know about cellulite.
Medical News Today, 13.
November 2023.
Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149465[12] What is maderotherapy?
InFocus Market, 2024.
Available at: https://maderotherapy-accessories.com/blogs/what-is-maderotherapy/[13] Cellulite. Mayo Clinic, 21. November 2023.
Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulite/symptoms-causes/syc-20354945[14] Cellulite. Mayo Clinic, 21. November 2023.
Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulite/symptoms-causes/syc-20354945[15] Crosta P. Everything you need to know about cellulite.
Medical News Today, 13.
November 2023.
Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149465[16] Crosta P. Everything you need to know about cellulite.
Medical News Today, 13.
November 2023.
Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149465[17] Cellulite. Mayo Clinic, 21. November 2023.
Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulite/symptoms-causes/syc-20354945[18] Crosta P. Everything you need to know about cellulite.
Medical News Today, 13.
November 2023.
Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149465[19] Macmillan A. 15 Myths and Facts About Cellulite.
26.
April 2014, Health.com.
Available at: https://time.com/77632/15-myths-and-facts-about-cellulite/
How to promote detoxification and blood circulation?
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