What Is Cellulite?
The process initiates with the enlargement of naturally occurring fat cells that are located in the deeper areas of the skin. The gradual enlargement of these cells will compromise the circulatory system and hinder the regional inflow of the nutrients and the outflow of the waste products. This will cause a gradual stiffening, contraction, and shortening of the surrounding connective tissue, resulting in tight fibrous bands (septae) and the entrapment of the enlarged fat cells and the inward pull of the over laying skin. The eventual outcome will be the creation of a rough, uneven, dimpled, and cottage cheese appearance in the areas of thigh, buttocks, stomach and arms.
Cellulite Anatomy:
Underneath the skin there are three (3) layers of fat. Factors such as hormones, genetics, life style, level of exercise and diet regulate the fat storage and metabolism in these layers. The superficial top fat layer is structurally unique from the deeper two layers. In the deeper fat layers fat lobes are stored in a very loose patch work. These layers are not responsible for production of cellulite. In contrast, in the top fat layer the fat lobes are organized into separate chambers. These chambers are surrounded by strands of connective tissue and bands. Due to this unique structure, cellulite specifically develops in this layer.
Women vs. Men: In women, the superficial top fat layer is organized into large vertical chambers where an abundance of fat can be stored. In men, the superficial top fat layer is organized into small diagonal chambers, which only store small amount of fat.
Cellulite is manifested as a bumpy or dimpled appearance of the involved skin. In medical terminology, cellulite is known as edematous fibroscelrotic panniculopathy. The pathophysiological factors that are involved in the generation of cellulite unclude:
• Swelling of the stored fat calls.
• Leakage of fluid due to permeability of the small capillaries and subsequent localized accumulation of excess fluid.
• Reduction of localized blood flow due to increased tissue pressure as a result of the excess fluid.
• Retardation of removal of the excess fluid secondary to poor lymphatic drainage.
• Worsening of the impairment of blood flow due to clustering of the fat lobes and tightening of the fibrotic collagen bands.
• Stiffening of the fibrotic collagen bands cause pulling down of the skin at their anchor sites.
Cellulite Identification & Classification:
There are several ways to evaluate and classify cellulite.
1. The pinch test is a simple way to locate cellulite. Pinch the skin on your outer thigh between your index finger and your thumb, and look for dimpling. You can also try other regions of the body, namely the buttocks and abdomen.
2. The Nurnberger - Muller scale can be used to classify cellulite based on a four-stage process, beginning with normal skin and terminating with its most advanced stage
• Stage 0
No dimpling when the subject is standing and lying. The pinch test reveals “folds and furrows”, but there is no mattress-like appearance.
• Stage 1
No dimpling while the subject is standing or lying, but the pinch test reveals the mattress-like appearance.
• Stage 2
Dimpling appears spontaneously when standing and not lying down.
• Stage 3
Dimpling is spontaneously positive standing and lying down.
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Questionnaire:
Determine your Cellulite Profile by answering the following questionnaire:
1. Do you have visible cellulite (no pinching needed)?
2. Is your cellulite painful when you pinch your skin?
3. Do you have cellulite in more than 1 area of your body?
4. Did you start noticing cellulite before the age of 25?
5. Do you suffer from marked premenstrual syndrome?
6. Do you have water retention?
7. Do you suffer from chronic constipation?
8. Has your weight fluctuated more than 5% in the last three years?
9. Are you taking any hormones?
10. Do you drink a lot of coffee, tea or alcoholic beverages
on a daily basis?
11. Do you smoke?
12. Do you drink under 8 glasses of 8 ounces (2 liters)
of water per day?
13. Is your diet rich in saturated fats (meat and dairy) and/or
high glycemic carbohydrates (pasta, rice, bread, etc)?
14. Do you prefer salty foods?
15. Have you gone over 3 months without regular exercise?
Total your score giving yourself 1 point per question answered YES.
If your score is above 8, it is recommended that you make lifestyle changes to minimize further worsening of cellulite.
• Increase water intake to a minimum of 8 glasses of 8 ounces (2 liters) per day.
• Minimize consumption of coffee, tea and alcohol.
• For each serving of coffee, tea or alcoholic beverage, drink 2 glasses of water.
• Exercise regularly.
• Minimize consumption of saturated fat and carbohydrates.
• 75% of the food should consist of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. The remaining 25% may consist of meat, fish, eggs, nuts, and whatever one likes best.
• Incorporate an effective cellulite treatment, such as Acoustic Wave Treatment (AWT)® that targets cellulite at its source.
Six Cellulite Myths Busted
The six cellulite myths busted are very much thought of as fact in today’s society.
Everyone looks for something that will make them look younger or more attractive and therefore will often fall victim to many different marketing messages and most of the five cellulite myths busted that you’ll find here.
Cellulite strikes fear in hundreds of thousands of people each year throughout North America alone.
Cellulite and more importantly, how to get rid of cellulite has become a very popular and controversial subject
in the world of health and fitness.
The information you’ll find here about the six cellulite myths busted and how to effectively get rid of cellulite is an over-view of the many cellulite facts along with information to help educate and inform you.
Now with recent advances in cellulite reduction there does seem to be some, but very few, cellulite reduction methods that are not only very effective but safe as well.
Before taking a look at the five cellulite myths let’s learn what cellulite is.
A popular fashion magazine of the past actually was the first to come up with the word cellulite.
Twenty years ago The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) made a statement claiming that cellulite is not any known medical condition.
Cellulite is the fatty deposits under your skin that gives your skin an appearance of being dimpled or some say, having an orange peel appearance.
For the most part women suffer from cellulite at a much high percentage than men because a woman’s fat is arranged in different chambers separated by collagen fibers.
Which Of These Six Myths Busted Do You Believe Is True?
#1 Of Six Cellulite Myths: Only women can suffer from unsightly cellulite.
This is definitely one of five cellulite myths busted. Many men all over the world do suffer from cellulite and thousands each year seek out the very same treatment methods as women do.
#2 Of Six Cellulite Myths: Only obese, over-weight and out of shape people suffer from cellulite.
Obviously people who are obese or even over weight will tend to have an excessive amount of cellulite. At least that’s what you’d tend to think, isn’t it? But the fact is that even clinically obese people are not guaranteed to see any cellulite on their body. A lot of obese people show no signs of cellulite at all.
Here’s another fact about cellulite to add to the six cellulite myths busted: A lot of people who are in decent physical shape can also suffer from unsightly cellulite.
Cellulite for the most part is genetic so it doesn’t mean you’ll see any cellulite on your body or have to think about the five cellulite myths busted if your are thin or clinically obese.
It comes down to hormones, pregnancy, aging, etc. that helps to promote the build up of cellulite in your body.
Most people who suffer from cellulite will experience a more noticeable amount on the hips, butt and/or thighs.
One other notable fact to add to six cellulite myths busted is that some people who do have cellulite on their body do not notice it in their younger years because they have thicker than normal skin.
But unfortunately, as you age your skin becomes thinner and therefore the cellulite will tend to become more noticeable.
#3 Of Six Cellulite Myths: There are many great cellulite burning exercises.
Actually, as you’ve learned in the information above, it doesn’t matter if you are physically fit or clinically obese. You can still develop cellulite, so therefore there are no such things as cellulite burning exercises.
The one plus about being fit is that due to a much lower body fat level you may be less likely to have fat deposits that turn into cellulite.
So exercise and stay fit.
#4 Of Six Cellulite Myths: If you drink an excessive amount of water you’ll be able to reduce your cellulite.
This myth has been around since the term cellulite first became popular. Unfortunately, water intake has nothing to do with cellulite and will not make any difference at all.
#5 Of Six Cellulite Myths: Liposuction is the best method of removing cellulite fat stores.
Liposuction is not the best method of removing cellulite fat stores. This is due to the fact that, because of the fibrous tissue that causes cellulite and by taking out the fat under the skin, you can end up with a "honeycomb" appearance.
With that being said, ultrasonic liposuction may be able to eliminate this honeycomb effect to a certain degree.
#6 Of Six Cellulite Myths: If you eat a nutritious diet you’ll avoid cellulite build up.
You of course should always eat healthy but to date there is not any food that will prevent or treat cellulite.