Cellulite is unsightly subcutaneous fat that clings under the skin and causes dimpling. Cellulite affects 90 percent of women and only 10 percent of men (more on that later).
Cellulite usually appears on a woman’s buttocks, hips and thighs beginning at age 25 and can affect teenagers.
What Causes Cellulite?
As women approach menopause, estrogen production decreases and fat begins to accumulate and protrude due to decreased blood circulation in the legs and buttocks.
With decreased blood circulation, there is less oxygen and nutrition to the area, which results in a decrease in collagen production.
As the collagen decreases, fat pushes through the collagen causing the lumpy cottage cheese appearance.
Why Does Cellulite Affect More Women Than Men?
Men have significantly less cellulite than women because men have less fat and more collagen that supports skin elasticity, and potentially muscle mass.
Estrogen (in women) creates fat while testosterone (in men) breaks down fat. As men age, their testosterone production decreases, but men still have more collagen than women.
Can Cellulite Be Prevented?
According to Scientific American, the main cause of cellulite is diet and elastic panties. Back in the 1920s, women wore loose panties and longer skirts.
Panties with elastic waistbands slows blood circulation to the legs. If you draw a line from where your cellulite begins, it begins at the panty line.
Panty hose acts as a compression, reducing swelling and promoting better blood flow to the legs.
Scientific American suggests wearing less panties with elastic and wearing more thongs.
What About Diet and Exercise?
Diet and exercising help to decrease cellulite. Eating healthy and exercising more will help you to lose the extra fat that causes cellulite.
Is There Treatment for Cellulite?
Dermatologists and chiropractors treat cellulite with vacuum rolling and radio waves to break up the fat in thighs. Vacuuming, radio waves and rolling the thighs breaks up fat cells, which smooths out the skin.
Laser treatments are also available in addition to vacuuming and rolling (massaging).
“Subcision” surgery is used to reduce fat dimpling in buttocks, thighs and hips.
Discuss diet, exercise and treatment options with your doctor or health care provider.
This has been your Medical Minute.
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Originally published on November 19, 2024.