Cellulite : just about everyone has it and all of us are always looking for new ways to get rid of that orange-peel aspect that is plaguing our legs on the beach. It might come as a surprise that 90% of women will experience cellulite at some point in their lives and there is nothing anyone can do about it, well almost…
WHAT IS CELLULITE
First things first, how do those annoying bumps come around? With so many sources falsely claiming that cellulite is the result of weight gain or toxins in our skin, our medical team here at Lift Up wants to ban all myths once and for all. Cellulite is not excess fat, nor is it the result of “toxins present in our skin”. Quite simply, cellulite, or that dimpled appearance you see on your back thighs is the result of both fat storage in the adipocytes (fat cells) and of water retention in the body. As the adipocytes grow, the connective tissue that contains them (septa) pulls on the skin surface and thus deforms it. At the same time, this process blocks circulation, and toxins accumulate. That is when cellulite appears, creating the inevitable orange-peel aspect. “Research has found that cellulite is most often located on the butt and the side and back of the thighs of the majority of females post-puberty,” says GH Beauty Lab chemist Danusia Wnek.
WHY DO I GET IT
Here is the tricky part as there is no one reason as to why you get bumpy legs, however, it does come down to a coupe of expert approved factors:
GENETICS
Dr. Gmyrek, founder of Columbia University's Cosmetic Skin and Laser Center says that although it's unclear whether genetics play a factor, there does seem to be a link between the two. "You may have the genetic predisposition, but the expression of the genes can be modified by your lifestyle choices," she explains. Dr. Jeannette Graf, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, however, believes that some people are born with a higher chance of developing cellulite. "Cellulite is a genetic thing," she says. "We start to see it when we're in our 20s."
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
What does the lymphatic system do? Essentially, it is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials — kind of like a sewer system, according to Graf. Poor blood and lymphatic circulation weakens the connective tissues in our skin, thus allowing the adipocytes beneath to swell and create the lymph and uneven appearance we call "cellulite".
AGEING
The common misconception is that getting older causes cellulite, but the majority of experts in the field agree it's not necessarily age that's the problem — it's more that the effects of mature skin make cellulite more noticeable. "The incidence doesn't seem to increase with age, however, it may look worse because as the skin ages, it loses elasticity and will sag more," explains Gmyrek.
TOXINS AND DIET
Contrary to what many cellulite "experts" claim, toxins do not cause cellulite. However, Dr.Graf believes diet may play a hefty role. "What I would say is the diet you have and the diet you eat can worsen cellulite if it's not a healthy one," she says. She also thinks inflammatory like dairy and soda can worsen the condition.
THE 'DIFFERENT TYPES'
Yes, you heard that right, cellulite isn't just one single problem, and there are multiple factors that go into what kind you might experience. All types tend to evolve slowly and affect different parts of the body, and it's perfectly possible for a person to suffer from more than one type. The identification process is particularly important, as the appropriate treatment depends on the type of cellulite and the stage of its development.
ADIPOSE CELLULITE
This type of cellulite gives the skin an "undulating" appearance an is soft to the touch. This "soft" cellulite is mostly present in areas where there is a build up of fat, such as upper arms and legs, and is often accompanied by varicose veins or spider veins; as you walk or move, soft cellulite will also move. It tends to increase with age or weight gain, and it's aggravated by lack of muscle tone. In general, improved circulation and skin tone will help, as will weight loss.
LIFESTYLE SOLUTIONS
Slow weight loss, with particular attention to protein intake
Regular exercise, with a focus on resistance training to gain and improve muscle tone
Lymphatic drainage treatments to help lymph circulation and therefore faster weight loss - can be done manually or mechanically with LPG Endermologie®
Endermologie® - a mechanical stimulation massage using a specialist device that rolls and lifts the skin tissue, strengthening the connective tissue whilst softening fat cells
AQUEOUS CELLULITE
Aqueous cellulite is the least common type of cellulite and also among the most difficult to treat. It results from problems of poor circulation aggravated by significant fluid retention. It mainly occurs in the legs, which lose their defining shape and become more "columnar". The skin is pasty and may be painful when touched or when the sufferer is seated for a long time. The age of onset tends to be around 20 to 30.
LIFESTYLE SOLUTIONS
Since aqueous cellulite is closely associated with water retention and circulation problems, it is important to treat both of these conditions; varicose veins may also occur and need to be dealt with:
Gentle, low-impact exercise such as cycling, walking or swimming
Compression stockings can be very helpful, as can be showering with alternate hot and cold water, and venotonic supplements such as ginseng, ruscus and horse chestnut which help strengthen the vein walls
Foods that encourage water retention should be avoided, such as those with refined salts, sugars and carbs, as well as fizzy drinks
Lymphatic drainage massage to improve the circulation of the lymph and blood - stimulated by up to 200% with LPG Endermologie®
FIBROUS CELLULITE
Also known as "solid cellulite", this type is more common in younger women, and is mostly found around the hips and upper thighs. The skin is tight and grainy or dimpled like orange peel, and the appearance doesn't alter when walking or moving; the skin seems to be "firmly attached to the muscle" (Faranzino and Matthews, 2019). This type starts as early as adolescence and without early treatment, solid cellulite may never be eliminated.
LIFESTYLE SOLUTIONS
Steps need be taken as soon as this type of cellulite is identified, as the earlier it is dealt with, the better chance it has of improvement. As this type of cellulite is harder to treat due to the fact that it is more compact, the fat and connective tissues must first be softened before cellulite can be removed.
LPG Endermologie® as well as other aesthetic medical treatments with specialist apparatus that help lift and detach the cellulite from the muscle can be very effective.
As with any type of cellulite, improving the general circulation of the blood and the lymph will help prevent the accumulation of toxins in the body and help prevent fat storage in the adipocytes.
Proper diet and exercise is paramount for a healthy body, less fat storage and normal blood and lymphatic circulation.
ENDERMOLOGIE® SOLUTION
LPG Endermologie® is finally getting the recognition it deserves when it comes to effectively dealing with cellulite problems.
WHAT IT DOES
With the new patented Alliance treatment head, endermologie® stimulates the skin and fatty tissue to soften them and make them less fibrous. At the same time, this stimulation helps to release fat and to activate blood and lymphatic circulation. Simultaneously, the mechanical action of the treatment head stimulates natural fat release and firms skin to give it back its tonicity and adimple-free aspect. The new Alliance Skin Identity Sensor adapts the stimulation to each individual type of skin: the intensity of the treatment is optimized, and the skin is still respected.
HOW LONG IT TAKES
This will always change with each individual case, depending on the type of cellulite, duration and severity as well as other factors such as whether the client is complementing their treatments with a healthy lifestyle (diet and exercise is important in the battle against cellulite remember). Results can be seen from as little as 3 sessions, however, for the most effective and longer lasting results, we recommend between 6 to 8 sessions, more if the cellulite has been present for a long time.
IN SHORT
Don't worry, we all have it ... well 90% of us at least! Whether you love or hate those little bumps on the back of your legs, educate yourself about what cellulite actually is and therefore be able to identify which of the three categories you fall into and the kind of lifestyle changes you can implement to improve it. It is, however, a common consensus that cellulite is one of the hardest skin conditions to fully get rid of and sometimes topical treatments won't cut it. In those cases, there is absolutely nothing wrong in turning to more effective medical treatments available, our personal favourite being LPG Endermologie®, however, there is a wide range of treatments that has helped other women which are worth looking into!