Cellulite describes a condition of men and women where the lower limbs, abdomen, and pelvic region becomes dimpled after puberty. The term was first coined in the 1920's and was appearing in magazines commonly in the 1960's, Vogue magazine first used in in this reference,"Like a swift migrating fish the word cellulite has suddenly crossed the Atlantic."
Other descriptive names for cellulite include orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin, the mattress phenomenon, and hail damage. Cellulite is not related to being overweight; average and underweight people also get cellulite.
Nearly all females who are post-pubescent display some degree of cellulite. Hormones seem to be present in its formation. It is rarely seen in males. Although it tends to appear more often in males with Klinefelter's syndrome, hypogonadism, post-castration states and in those patients receiving estrogen therapy for prostate cancer. For males with androgen deficiency the cellulite gets worse as the condition does.
Causes of Cellulite
The causes are poorly understood still, and several changes in metabolism and physiology may cause cellulite or contribute to cellulite. Among these are a disorder of water metabolism, abnormal hyperpolymerization of the connective tissue, and chronic venous insufficiency.
Hormones play a large role in cellulite formation. It seems to initiate, and aggravate cellulite. Other hormones including insulin, the catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin too have been shown to play a part in cellulite development.
Prediposing factors have been shown to be necessary for the development of cellulite. Factors such as gender, race, biotype, a hormone receptor allele that determines the receptor number and sensitivity, distribution of subcutaneous fat, and predisposition to circulatory insufficiency are included in this.
Dietry and lifestyle factors play a role in the development and amount of cellulite. Too much fat, carbohydrates, salt, alcohol or too little fiber can all contribute to cellulite development. Smoking, lack of exercise, tight clothes, high heeled shoes, and sitting or standing in a single position of extended periods have all been related with an increase in cellulite. A high stress lifestyle will cause an increase in the catecholamine hormones.
The Grades of Cellulite
The first grade of cellulite has no clinical symptoms but histopathology detects underlying anatomical changes.
Grade 2 cellulite is when the skin has a lower temperature, pallow, and decreased elasticity after muscular contraction or compression. There is no visible "orange peel" roughness to the skin. Additional anatomical changes are detected by histopathology.
Grade 3 cellulite includes a visible "orange peel" roughness to the skin. This is the "canonical" grade of cellulite. Small granulations in the deep levels of the skin can be shown by palpitation. Grade 2 signs are still present but with more anatomical changes are detectable by histopathology.
The last grade 4 cellulite has all the signs of 3 but with more visible, palpable, and painful lumps present which adhere to deep structures in the skin. The skin has a noticeable dimpled, wavy appearance and additional histopathologic changes are detected.
Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Cellulite" article category.
People interested in the above article "Cellulite Explained" are also interested in the related articles listed below:
Cellulite is a familiar word to most. It is used to identify pockets of fat trapped under your skin that produce a dimple effect. It is irregular and can cover a large patch of skin. This condition is mostly seen in women. In effect, more than 89 per cent of all women will develop cellulite sometime during their life. The areas that are most affected are thighs, buttocks, and the abdomen. These are the most common areas for a woman to develop cellulite. It is a misguided conception to think that this condition has anything to do with being over-weight. As a matter of fact, cellulite formation can also affect thin women indiscriminately.
In the past, it was thought that cellulite was caused by a fat disorder. However, recent research seems to indicate that cellulite is due to problem in the circulatory system that deforms the connective tissue. The thick bands of connective tissue bind the skin to underlying tissue which gives cellulite skin its "cottage cheese-like" appearance.
As we age, our skin becomes thinner and more brittle. But, it can also take on a dull appearance and show hyperpigmentation problems. When this skin condition presents itself on your face it is known as melasma. Darker skinned women are the most prone to suffer this type of skin problem, however, it is more noticeable in lighter skinned individuals.
It's a well-known fact that women are more prone to cellulite than men. It's the female hormone, oestrogen, that triggers the formation of cellulite. Men on the other hand are protected because of their thick skin and testosterone, a male hormone that stops cellulite formation. Anti-cellulite pants are the latest innovation for women prone to cellulite. But before we proceed on the working and effectiveness of anti-cellulite pants, let's understand briefly how cellulite is formed.
Cellulite, the most common and dreaded problem, can be now treated easily, and without expensive treatments. Thanks to the brilliant people, who designed the anti-cellulite pants! Find out more about this unique cellulite solution here.
Cellulite, knobby like projections on skin formed by accumulation of fatty deposits is a common problem seen among postpubertal females. These lumpy fat bulges are seen around neck, stomach, upper arm and front of thigh. Impaired lymphatic drainage, poor blood circulation and decreased venous flow are some of the factors playing key roles in transforming fat cells into cellulite. High stress condition, pregnancy, excessive smoking, improper massages, obesity and enlarged lymph nodules are reported causes for the formation of cellulite.
The topographical skin change which may occur in post pubertal females is known as cellulite. In addition, the home remedies for cellulite is found to be effective on this unwanted condition. Moreover, cellulite is a skin disorder, and may appear on different parts of the body, for example hips, thighs and buttocks. But, this disorder may also affect the arms, upper back and the abdomen also. The home remedies for cellulite is effective on every affected part of the body. Moreover, this disorder occurs when the smooth tissues of the muscle gets ruptured due to deposition of fat within fibrous connective tissues present under the skin. The home remedies for cellulite helps to melt the deposited fat.