Cellulite Explained

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.

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