What Is Cellulite Caused By (and How to Get Rid of It)

Our little grey cells help us think. Our little skin cells make us look good. But some of our other cells make us think about how we look. 

Nearly all women and many men suffer from cellulite. Cellulite is clumpy and poorly textured skin. It doesn’t impact physical health, but it can take a toll on self-esteem. 

What is cellulite? What is cellulite caused by? How can you get rid of cellulite? 

This guide will give you the answers to those questions. 

What Is Cellulite? 

Cellulite is a skin condition. It occurs when fat collects in pockets below the surface of the skin. 

The body has connective cords that tether skin to muscle. Fat lies in between the skin and muscle. 

When fat cells accumulate, they push up while the cords pull down. This creates dimpling. The more fat a person has, the higher the dimples in the skin. 

Cellulite tends to appear on the hips and thighs because they have more fatty tissue. But cellulite can present on the breasts, abdomen, and arms. Some people may have cellulite in one place, while others may have it in multiple places. 

Cellulite is completely harmless. If you have discoloration or pain, you do not have cellulite. Talk to a dermatologist about your symptoms right away. 

What Is Cellulite Caused By? 

There is no scientific consensus for a principal cause of cellulite. Multiple factors seem to cause cellulite, and they can play out in any person. 

Weight gain makes cellulite more noticeable. It may also cause cellulite by straining the cords in between skin and muscle. But lean people also have cellulite. 

As we age, our skin grows less elastic. It can’t stretch over fat, making fat noticeable when cords push it up. 

Many people develop cellulite after puberty. This suggests that hormones could play a factor in cellulite development. 

Cellulite tends to run in families. Children are more likely to have cellulite if their parents had it. This suggests a genetic cause, but no genes have been found. 

The less water a person drinks, the less elasticity they have in the skin. Dehydration can make cellulite more noticeable. 

A lack of muscle leaves connective cords rigid. People who are inactive tend to have more cellulite than people who are active. Poor circulation is a common problem in the legs, so lack of blood flow could spark cellulite. 

How to Get Rid of Cellulite at Home

There are many ways to get rid of cellulite, in part because there are many causes of cellulite. Try to combine a few different ways in order to treat all potential causes. 

If you can lose weight, lose some weight. Combine cardio with muscle-building exercises. Perform some stretches in order to increase blood circulation to your legs. 

Squats are a great way to build muscle in the legs. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, then lower your glutes to knee-level. Squeeze your glutes as you rise, and then repeat. 

Step-ups combine cardio with muscle building. Place a bench or box on the ground. Step up on the box, one foot at a time, then step down and repeat. 

Drink more water. Replace caffeinated and carbonated beverages with plain tap water. If you want flavor, you can infuse ice water with different fruits and spices. 

You can also give yourself massages. Massages reduce cellulite by allowing your lymphatic system to circulate in your legs. The lymphatic system carries away wastes that build up beneath your skin. 

Apply light pressure to your skin. Place one hand on the inside of your leg, and the other on the outside. Then stretch your skin toward your hip, working down the length of your leg. 

Advanced Medical Treatments

You can also get more advanced treatments with the help of your local doctors. 

For medication, you can take bioactive collagen peptides. Collagen is a protein that builds muscle and skin. Taking once-a-day peptides can cause significant reductions in cellulite buildup. 

CBD may also help reduce cellulite. CBD lotion can hydrate skin cells, while CBD roll-ons administer CBD directly to nerves and joints.

Laser treatments deliver heat that destroys fat. A thin fiber is slipped underneath the skin, and the laser shoots directly onto the fat. A patient must receive laser treatments on several occasions, but they can eliminate cellulite for up to a year. 

Radiofrequency treatments are similar. They use heat, but without invasive measures. You will need more radiofrequency treatments than laser treatments. 

Cryolipolysis uses vacuums to raise tissue to cooling plates. The plates touch fat and reduce it through extreme cold. Results from cryolipolysis can appear within three months. 

Acoustic wave therapy sends sound waves into the body, breaking up cellulite. This is a non-invasive measure, which means you will need several sessions of it. 

Carboxytherapy uses carbon dioxide gas to starve fat cells. Gas is inserted underneath the skin, killing fat and reducing cellulite. Carboxytherapy is very new on the market, so more research is needed before determining its value. 

A doctor can also conduct surgery. They use needles or blades to cut the bands between skin and muscle. This smooths the skin over. 

A doctor can also perform liposuction or fat grafts. Liposuction removes fat, while fat grafts transfer fat from the legs to another part of the body. Surgery is invasive, but it provides faster relief than other treatments. 

Go to the Experts on Cellulite Removal 

Cellulite is an eyesore. But you can remove it without invasive measures. Consider your options, then find the right treatments today. 

What is cellulite caused by? No one is quite sure. Weight gain, age, and dehydration can be possible causes. 

Treat your cellulite by combining different methods. Lose some weight and gain some muscle. Drink water to loosen up your skin. 

Consider collagen peptides and CBD. Look into measures like laser and radiofrequency treatments. But keep in mind that you can have surgery to smooth your skin and remove fat. 

Go to experts who can help you with a treatment plan. Better Off Med Spa offers a comprehensive catalog of skincare treatments. Contact us today, or call us at 760-452-2722. 

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