Going up against an enemy you know nothing about is a battle lost in advance, so you better come prepared! What we know about cellulite is that it is tenacious and extremely annoying. Other than that, we’re certain you’ve come across quite a few theories regarding the definition and the cause of this issue. Without any further ado, let’s jump right into cellulite and start solving the mystery. What is it that makes the women’s (and, in some cases, men’s) eternal nemesis so strong?
One of the popular misconceptions about cellulite is that it is excess fat. Also known as “cottage-cheese” skin and “orange-peel” skin due to the texture it creates on the skin, cellulite is, in fact, the consequence of fat pushing through the connective tissue underneath the surface of the skin. The areas on the body commonly affected by cellulite are the thighs and buttocks, although it can be located on other body parts as well, such as stomach area and the arms. Cellulite creates the appearance of dimples and lumps on the skin, and its intensity does not depend upon weight (hence the disappointment after struggling to lose weight and still having cellulite!).
What Causes Cellulite?
So, what causes it? There is actually a number of factors which could be responsible for the formation of cellulite. Cellulite is located in the dermatological layer of the skin, below the actual surface. The layer of fat below the connective tissue pushes through and creates this well-known texture, which is much more frequent in women since fat cells and connective tissue are arranged vertically. By contrast, connective tissue in men has a criss-cross structure, which makes it less likely for fat cells to push through. Therefore, unfortunately for females, one of the main predictors of cellulite is gender (1).
Furthermore, as is the case for many health conditions, genes too can be considered a factor in cellulite formation, as well as age and hormonal changes. Finally, diet, as well as lifestyle choices certainly do affect the quality of the skin, including the appearance of cellulite.
Speaking of skin quality, it is certainly the first topic to be addressed when it comes to fighting cellulite, and no skin-related discussion could go without a mention of mighty collagen.
Why Is Collagen a Powerful Anti-Cellulite “Tool”?