As you get older, you may notice that your body's skin texture is not as smooth as it once was as a result of cellulite. It affects about 90% of women and 10% of men. Cellulite can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Those with weight gain and more fat cells beneath the skin make cellulite more noticeable, but even leaner body types can have lumpy skin. The amount of cellulite you have and how noticeable it is can be based on your genetics, body fat percentage, and age. Skin loses elasticity over time and the thickness of your skin also affects the appearance of orange peel skin. People of all body types even with a healthy weight can get cellulite.

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite is when the skin exhibits a dimply, lumpy, orange peel-like appearance typically on the hips, thighs, buttocks, and abdomen. It occurs when fat accumulates between the muscle and skin, and the fibrous cords connecting them begin to pull down, resulting in an uneven surface.

What Causes Cellulite?

Genetics

A person's metabolism, fat distribution under the skin, ethnicity, and blood circulation plays a role in cellulite development.

Hormones and Age

Hormonal factors also have a role in why cellulite occurs. Estrogen, insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin are part of the cellulite production process. An assumption is as women reach menopausal age, estrogen decreases, resulting in less blood flow to the connective tissue bands under the skin, and the subcutaneous fat cells enlarge. Oxygen flow is also affected, causing collagen production to slow down, leading to thinner and sagging skin.

Diet and Lifestyle

A diet consisting of too much fat, carbohydrates, processed foods, salt, and low fiber is more likely to develop cellulite. Smokers and those who have a sedentary lifestyle also contribute to the formation of cellulite.

Cellulite Treatments

Unfortunately, there isn't any effective cellulite treatment to get rid of the orange peel look completely but there are certain products and procedures that can reduce cellulite. The best strategy is to prevent it before cellulite forms. However, some tips can reduce the appearance of cottage cheese looking skin.

Exercise

Cardiovascular exercises such as jogging, walking, swimming, cycling, and dancing help the body to burn excess fat rather than store it. Strength training is good for increasing the muscle mass and targeting specific parts of the body to minimize cellulite. Exercising can also help with losing weight which will improve the appearance of dimpled skin.

Diet

A study has shown diets high in fats, salt, and carbohydrates may contribute to cellulite because fats can increase inflammation, salts can encourage water retention, and carbs can help break down collagen. Eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil is an excellent way to fight against cellulite. Water consumption in coordination with a good diet can help remove the toxins as well.

Therapies

There is a long list of treatments that may or may not improve cellulite. Some procedures target breaking up the connective tissue bands, or thickening the skin by encouraging collagen production. Deep massage devices and liposuction has also been used to treat cellulite. These procedures have not to be confirmed by scientific research.

Cellulite Cream

Topical creams that contains caffeine, retinol, or peptides have been claimed to improve the appearance of cellulite. These ingredients work to improve circulation, encourage lipolysis of fat cells, and thicken the epidermis. Below is a list of cellulite creams to try.

Laser Treatments

There are different types of laser treatment options to reduce the appearance of cellulite. It works by breaking up the connective bands beneath the skin that causes us to see cellulite. Laser treatment also thickens collagen fibers reducing how much cellulite appears.