If you suffer from cellulite, you're not alone. According to Health, cellulite affects 90 percent of women at some point during their lives, even those who mayotherwise be slender and fit.
Cellulite is caused bysubcutaneous fat located beneath the skin that protrudes into the dermis. This protrusion causes the upper layers of the skin to bulge, creating a lumpy or slightly cratered appearance, which can be damaging to self-esteem. As the dermis is more affected by cellulite, the connective tissues become weakened, also affecting appearance.
"Cellulite affects 90 percent of women at some point during their lives…"
There are many factors that may affect the amount of cellulite a person has. These include overall skin thickness, the strength of underlying connective tissues, amount of body fat and overall distribution of the fat. Although men can suffer from cellulite too, it is more prevalent in women, as men have thicker layers of skin, making it harder to fat to push into the upper layers of the skin.
What should you know about cellulite?
- Cellulite becomes worse with age:The body obviously changes with age, but just how different can it become? In terms of cellulite, age is a big factor. As women age, the body produces less estrogen which hinders blood circulation, causing a decrease in new collagen production and the breakdown of older connective tissues.
- Exercise can make a difference: No, this doesn't mean you have to go to the gym every day for three hours. Instead, make consciousdecisions in your daily routine that will raise your activity level, such as taking the stairs at work or walking in a neighborhood group on the weekends. Burning excess fat ensures cellulite will form in fewer areas.
- Genetics may play a role: As with many changes in the body, your genes are a factor in terms of changes and future looks. Cellulite is known to run in the family, meaning if your mom or grandmother have it, you most likely will too.
If cellulite has become a major issue in your life, a cosmetic change may be time to make a more permanent change. Schedule a consultation at Marotta Plastic Surgery Specialists today to learn more.
