In women, the fat cells and connective tissue in this layer are arranged vertically. If the fat cells protrude into the layer of skin, this gives the appearance of cellulite. In men, the tissue has a criss-cross structure, which may explain why are less likely to have cellulite than women.
The bad news is, “women develop cellulite because they have weaker connective tissue and larger fat cells, due to the effect of female hormones.” Umm... “Men, on the other hand, have much stronger connective tissue and much less subcutaneous fat, so they normally do not develop cellulite”, Georgios adds.
Women's skin is naturally thinner than men's skin, and women have connective tissues arranged vertically under the skin. Cellulite fat cells can push through the vertical connective tissues and against the outer layer of skin, where it is easily seen on female thighs and buttocks.
Cellulite is most common in women, and can be influenced by genetics, hormonal changes, a poor diet and inactivity, and it doesn't matter if you're overweight or not. Yes, 'skinny' people can have cellulite too. A woman's body fat is different to a man's.
Cellulite is very common. Between 80% and 90% of all women who've gone through puberty have cellulite. Less than 10% of men have cellulite. Genetics, sex, age, the amount of fat on your body and your skin's thickness determine how much cellulite you have and how visible it is.
Testosterone replacement therapy may improve your mood, make you sleep better and reduce your cellulite. Testosterone can also improve your sex life and your overall sense of well-being.
In addition, hormonal factors play a large role in the development of cellulite, and genetics determine skin structure, skin texture and body type. Other factors, such as weight and muscle tone affect whether you have cellulite, though even very fit people can have it.
Most celebrities retouch / photoshop their cellulite. The fact is that even paparazzi pictures are retouched (contrary to popular belief, the paparazzo-celebrity relationship it's a two-way relationship). Many also use body makeup to cover cellulite in official shots.
As women start approaching menopause, estrogen starts decreasing. From 25 to 35 is when you start seeing the appearance of cellulite. Estrogen has an impact on the blood vessels. When estrogen starts to decrease, you lose receptors in blood vessels and thighs, so you have decreased circulation.
Cellulite is a common complex cosmetic problem for many post-adolescent women. It mainly affects the buttocks and thighs, although other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, may also be affected. It has been deemed unattractive and undesired by many as it gives the skin an orange-peel-like, dimpled appearance.
"Cellulite is very common; in fact, 93 percent of women have it," Dendy Engelman, M.D., board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, tells SELF.
Anyone can get it, and most have at some point in their life. Cellulite is as normal as anything.
Losing weight and strengthening the muscles in the legs, buttocks and abdomen may make cellulite less noticeable in those areas, but it won't go away altogether. That is because once a fat cell develops, it is yours for life.
Estrogen. Estrogen stimulates fibroblasts to make collagenase which acts on collagen and breaks it down – and so begin the cycle of cellulite formation. Higher levels of estrogen (or poor estrogen metabolism) causes low levels of collagen, and therefore, increases the appearance of cellulite.
There's no way to completely eliminate cellulite. Some treatments are available that may reduce its appearance, though. To achieve the best results, work with a reputable health care provider to decide which therapies may be right for you.
Avoid processed simple carbs and sugars that spike blood sugar and promote weight gain, inflammation and reduced skin elasticity. These three factors can all contribute to the appearance of cellulite. Reduce your salt intake. Salt contains sodium which causes fluid retention, one of the causes of cellulite.
Drink water
It's that simple. Reducing the appearance of dimply skin can be as straightforward as staying hydrated. Drinking at least eight glasses of water per day can improve the texture of your skin. Start carrying a bottle of water with you as you go about your day and refill it often.
In fact, most men cannot even “see” your cellulite, as they can't “see” your new haircut, dress etc.
Squats and other exercises to smooth your skin
Exercise is an important part of getting rid of cellulite, but you can't just rely on a heavy cardio routine. Squats, deadlifts, and other muscle-building exercises will help you replace some of that fat with muscle, smoothing your skin and diminishing the dimpled effect.
Whether you're thick or thin, bad eating habits can cause cellulite. Diets high in fat create more fat cells. Too much sugar expands fat cells because it gets deposited there. Too much salt can make the appearance of cellulite worse because it causes you to retain fluids.