What is Cellulite and What Causes it?

Cellulite is a dermatological condition that is used to describe dimpled, lumpy appearance of the skin, primarily caused by deposit of fat just under the surface of the skin. It is most common in areas like the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and lower limbs. Cellulite affects women more than men and usually occurs after puberty. In medical terms cellulite is also known as adiposis edematosa while in colloquial usage it is variously known as the orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin, hail damage, and the mattress phenomenon.

Dermatologists have categorized cellulite in three grades, depending upon the severity of the condition.
 

1. Grade one – in this there are no visible symptoms characteristic of cellulite, but a microscopic examination of the cells from the area reveals anatomical changes.
2. Grade two – in addition to the microscopic changes of grade one, the skin in this stage reveals increased pastiness, lower temperature and decreased elasticity.
3. Grade three – this stage displays the kind of roughness, like the texture of orange peel, that is most commonly identified with cellulite, along with the characteristics of the earlier stages.
   
   
    

What causes cellulite?
 

1. Gender
   
   While cellulite is caused by the deposit of fat beneath the surface of the skin, far more important causal factors are the nature of the skin and that of the connective tissue of the individual. This is mainly why even obese men and children do not suffer from cellulite as much as women or why even relatively thin women can be found having cellulite in certain areas of the body. Underneath the skin lies a layer of fibrous connective tissue whose main job is to attach the skin to the muscle beneath it. In most men, this connective tissue is arranged in a cross-hatched or diagonal manner which results in a smooth and continuous pattern. On the other hand the connective tissue of women runs vertically or perpendicular to the skin. As a result of this, these fibrous bands tether the skin to the underlying tissue at certain points and in the process create “fat chambers” which push up on the skin while the bands pull the skin downward – in effect, leading to the dimpled, uneven appearance of cellulite. Along with this difference in connective tissue arrangement, men also have thicker skin as compared to women – two main reasons why cellulite appears to be more common in women rather than in men.
    
2. Hormones
   
   In the pre-pubertal stage, connective tissue is supple and elastic, stretching and moving along with the skin so that everything remains smooth. However with puberty, certain hormones make the connective tissue stiffer and less elastic while, the fat cells tend to expand in certain areas, pushing out on the skin. This leads to the appearance of cellulite. Among the hormones which are believed to play an important role in cellulite development are estrogen, insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin. Because hormones like estrogen and prolactin are female hormones, cellulite affects women more than men. Many postnatal women or women on birth control develop cellulite because the body's waste system can't get rid of the higher levels of estrogen in the body.
    
3. Age
   
   With advancing age, the bands of connective tissue contract and stiffen so that they pull down on the skin even more. At the same time, increasing fat stores push outward in the surrounding areas. When these two phenomena occur together, the result is an unattractive appearance of dimples and bulges. Also as people get older, the outer layer of skin weakens and loses elasticity. Under the influence of gravity, the skin begins to sag. Since the connective tissues remain intact and often contract and further stiffen with increasing age, the appearance of cellulite becomes more pronounced in older individuals than those who with younger and more elastic skin.
    
4. Genes
   
   Experts have found that the presence of certain genes predispose an individual towards developing cellulite. Genes that are associated with slower metabolism, uneven distribution of fat and circulatory insufficiency are particularly responsible for conditions leading to cellulite.
    
5. Diet
   
   People who consume larger amounts of fat, carbohydrates and salt as compared to dietary fiber, fruits and vegetables tend to suffer more cellulite. Another aggravating factor in the development of cellulite could be yo-yo dieting. This results in repeated cycles of weight gain and weight loss which in turn worsen skin elasticity, making cellulite more pronounced.
    
6. Lifestyle
   
   Certain lifestyle factors have been found to increase chances of developing cellulite. One of the most common among these is smoking which causes slow damage to the elasticity of skin cells, thus creating the right conditions for developing cellulite. People who do not exercise and those who sit or stand for long periods of time in the same position are also at a higher risk of developing cellulite, probably because of lack of adequate circulation of blood.
    
7. Clothing
   
   Sometimes the choice of clothing can also influence an individual’s chances of developing cellulite. Tight clothing, particularly underwear with tight elastic across the buttocks, limits the flow of blood to those areas, thus increasing the possibility of cellulite.
    
8. Medication
   
   Sometimes certain kinds of medication like diet pills, sleeping pills and diuretics can also lead to cellulite since these interfere with the normal metabolic function of the body.

There is still a lot more to be learned about the various conditions which lead to the development of cellulite. As of now researchers have isolated certain factors like heredity and hormones which cause some people to suffer from cellulite more easily than others. But in order for wider sections of the population to obtain relief from this condition, far more needs to be known about cellulite and what causes it.