Causes of cellulite

We have all heard about cellulite and its symptoms. This topic is not new, as more 80% women have been suffering from cellulite for over 150 years. Until recently, no one knew why cellulite appears, and that it turns out that everyone has it.

In 1998, a group of scientists announced the results of studies on the possible causes of cellulite. It turned out that the reason is not only excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and toxins that gradually enter the body from the environment or food. The main cause of cellulite is abnormal distribution of fat under the skin.

Our body is protected by subcutaneous fats, which help us maintain the right body temperature, as well as to stabilize the pressure when we sit at the table, and to protect our bones. The fat layer contains collagen fibers that attach to the inside of the skin and the outer layers of muscles.

Collagen fibers in the male and female body

Recent studies have shown that collagen fibers differ between men and women. In men, the fibers run diagonally across the skin, pushing the fat down and keeping the skin soft. These studies allowed scientists to answer the question why men do not have cellulite.

In women, unlike men, collagen fibers are located perpendicular to the skin and form into narrow cylinders. If fat cells accumulate in these cylinders, they cause cellulite, which is predominantly caused by overweight women. Why do thin women also have problems with cellulite? excess fat, which extends from the cylinder is not the cause of cellulite here. So why do skinny people have cellulite?

Researchers have shown that there are two types of cellulite. The first is when the structure of the fatty partitions differs from the normal one. In cellulite, the collagen fibers are not thin, but, on the contrary, are extremely thickened. When you press on the fat fold, the fat is pushed up and creates bumps on the skin. Scientists also found that cellulite contains more proteoglycans, which absorb more water than normal. In this way, water enters cellulite areas and settles there, resulting in an «orange peel» appearance.

Penetration of free radicals and slows down circulation

So, what is the true cause of cellulite? No one knows for sure, but scientific research shows that there are two factors involved: free radical infiltration and poor blood circulation in women. Both of these factors may be present at the same time, or only one.

• Free radicals

Free radicals are groups of atoms produced when the body is exposed to toxins from tobacco, alcohol, or pesticides. They also appear if we consume too many unhealthy foods such as sugar and unhealthy fats. Free radicals lack electrons. To accumulate them, they steal the missing electrons from other cells in the body, damaging them in this way. Most often, they «attack» the collagen and elastin cells that make up the top layer of the skin. This leads to the appearance of cellulite. The skin becomes thinner and cellulite is more visible.

• Weakening of the lymphatic system and deterioration of blood circulation

The task of blood circulation is oxygen supply and nutrients to all body cells. The lymphatic system eliminates harmful and toxic waste from the body. Places where cellulite appears most often — thighs and buttocks. Since most modern women sit in the office and are not very mobile during the day, the problematic parts of the body are pinched, which reduces blood circulation and the functioning of the lymphatic system.

The cells in the skin, the so-called fibroblasts, begin to lack oxygen if we sit for too long. They are collected in small irregularities and create thick and elastic fibers. This makes the appearance of cellulite even more pronounced.

Since the lymphatic system and blood circulation are weakened, water in problem areas of the body also lingers longer than usual, fills the intercellular space and makes cellulite more noticeable.

The main causes of cellulite

• Genes

Cellulite can be inherited. Genes play a role in skin aging, which is largely dependent on the elasticity of collagen and elastin. If collagen and elastin are not elastic in the face, they are also not elastic in other parts of the body. So the future appearance of young women can be predicted by looking at their mothers.

• Aging

Cellulite usually appears after the age of 30. But more recently, it has started showing up around puberty as teenagers don’t move around much, and spend most of their time at school and in front of the computer. After the age of 30, a woman becomes more inclined to be overweight. The more fat, the more pronounced cellulite. As we age, the top layer of skin that covers the subcutaneous fat layer thins out, making cellulite even more noticeable.

• Sedentary lifestyle

As already mentioned, modern people spend too much time on work. Modern technology allows us to do our work thanks to the Internet and the computer, which is why we move much less than our parents. Today we walk 13 km less a day than our grandparents did. This lack of exercise further increases the likelihood of cellulite on problem parts of the body.

How the less we move, the fewer calories we burn, the more kilograms we acquire, that is, we gain excess weight. Laziness and lack of physical activity reduce blood circulation and relax the lymphatic system, which does not effectively move the lymph in the body, and therefore does not perform its main function — cleansing the body. The lymphatic system accelerates the accumulation of toxins, and thus increases the likelihood of cellulite.

• Overweight

People should devote more time to regular exercise and maintaining normal bodily function. As the number of overweight people grows, cellulite is becoming a common problem because, as already mentioned, overweight people are more prone to it.

• Smoking

Smoking also contributes significantly to the development of cellulite. Every time you inhale cigarette smoke, collagen fibers are destroyed, which leads to skin aging and increases the likelihood of cellulite. Because the smokers usually lack vitamin Cthe body is not able to regenerate the skin, because this vitamin is important in the regeneration of collagen.

• Toxins

Some of your bad habits contribute to the formation of cellulite. These habits are drinking alcohol, coffee, unhealthy fats and sugar. All of these ingredients create free radicals and weaken the lymphatic system.

They also destroy other nutrientswhich the body needs to burn fat. For example, each cup of coffee destroys 6 mg of calcium, which is a good fat burner on its own.

• Prolonged exposure to the sun

The sun’s rays are much weaken and damage collagen and elastin in the skin. Prolonged exposure to sunlight causes the skin to become thinner and cellulite to become more visible. When you sunbathe, your skin becomes severely dehydrated, which accelerates aging. And skin aging contributes to the appearance of cellulite.

Change your lifestyle — and you will get rid of cellulite! Incorporate regular exercise into your daily routine and don’t neglect your body. Use these tips to stop the appearance of cellulite and therefore become healthier!