Cellulite is extremely common, with its skin-dimpling effects occurring in over 80% of women. But whilst it has no negative health connotations, cellulite appearing on thighs, buttocks and the stomach can affect body confidence.
In today’s Joonbyrd Journal, we debrief everything you need to know about cellulite - covering what cellulite is, why cellulite occurs and how to treat cellulite.
Cellulite: What Is It, And Can You Improve It?
Cellulite is a condition where the skin develops a bumpy or dimpled appearance. It is a result of tension between the cords that connect the skin to the underlying muscle, and the fat cells that lie between. As the fat cells increase, they push upwards towards the skin, whilst the cords pull downwards towards the muscle, which creates an uneven appearance on the surface of the skin.
Cellulite may appear on anyone, though it is particularly prevalent in women - with 80-90% of women experiencing cellulite.
There is no proven cure for cellulite, though there are cellulite treatments, cellulite creams, cellulite massagers and lifestyle adjustments that can help reduce the appearance of cellulite on your buttocks, thighs and other body parts.
What Causes Cellulite?
The underlying causes of cellulite are not entirely clear, though genetics, hormones, weight, muscle tone and lifestyle can all affect its development:
- It Runs In Families: Genetic factors such as circulation, metabolism and fat distribution can increase the likelihood of cellulite.
- It’s Impacted By Estrogen: As estrogen levels decline with age, blood flow to the tissues beneath the surface of the skin also decreases (resulting in lower collagen production), while fat cells enlarge (making the fat beneath the skin more visible).
- It Can Develop Due To Your Daily Life: Lifestyle factors, such as a diet high in fat, carbohydrates and salt, and smoking or a sedentary lifestyle can increase cellulite.
- Your Body Condition Counts: Weight and muscle tone can also affect development of cellulite - it is more likely to appear on people who have a higher body weight and lower muscle mass, but it can be developed by anyone of any weight or fitness level.
Where Does Cellulite Appear?
Cellulite most commonly appears on areas of the body that have higher fat storage. This means you will often see cellulite on the thighs and buttocks, but it is not unusual to see cellulite on the breasts, the lower abdomen and upper arms.
Does Losing Weight Reduce Cellulite?
If you are overweight, losing weight can reduce the appearance of cellulite, as the size of the individual fat cells will decrease (though it won’t disappear altogether, as you cannot eliminate a fat cell in its entirety). If you are a healthy weight, losing weight is highly unlikely to affect the visibility of cellulite.
Is Cellulite Normal? YES!
Since cellulite affects 8 out of 10 women, you would be hard pressed to find a more common skin condition. But if you’re keen to reduce cellulite on your buttocks, stomach or thighs, lifestyle changes, cellulite creams and cellulite massage can help. We’ve debriefed the four most effective routes below:
- Try Targeted Body Care: Powered by an innovative biomimetic peptide-sapphire complex alongside 17 active and botanical ingredients, DAYDREAMER Firming Body Serum improves the appearance of cellulite by delivering collagen-boosting ingredients to where they're needed most.
- Flex Those Muscles: Maintaining regular muscle strengthening exercises (such as squats, resistance training, lunges or Barre) can also make cellulite less noticeable, as an increase in muscle mass will frequently work to flatten cellulite.
- Hero Your Health: Eating plenty of protein, healthy fats, fruit and vegetables (and drinking adequate water) can help reduce water retention and prevent dehydration, which will improve the skin’s appearance.
- Undertake A Daily Massage: Take charge of your cellulite with a daily invigorating gua sha massage. HEARTWARMER Body Gua Sha boosts microcirculation and stimulates lymphatic drainage for smoother skin.
Discover more expert insight on skin conditions and how to treat them via our journal.
