04/04/2018 Category: Cellulite Author: Ekaterina Panina
Cellulite is the #1 problem for most women. However, not everyone understands that the skin condition can worsen further. With each stage of development, the pathology becomes more and more difficult to treat and ultimately only surgery can help. To avoid the latter, it is necessary to detect the problem in time. To do this, in turn, you should carefully study the main characteristics of each stage of cellulite development.
- Development mechanism
- Reasons for development
- Video: what is cellulite and why does it occur?
- Stages of development
First (initial)
- Second
- Third
- Fourth (last)
What is cellulite
Cellulite is a pathology of adipose tissue caused by a violation of cell structure. Such changes are usually caused by a weakening of blood flow to the dermis. From the outside, cellulite looks like small protrusions and pits that form an unaesthetic relief. Because of the latter, the pathology acquired a second name - “orange peel”.
Interestingly, the name “cellulite” comes from the Latin word cellula. The latter is translated as “cell”.
“Orange peel” can provoke not only psychological, but also physical discomfort in a woman. The thing is that over time, a harmless defect in appearance can develop into a serious illness. The latter is difficult to treat, often with the help of a surgeon.
To find out if you have cellulite, just squeeze the skin where it appears.
To avoid the occurrence and development of “orange peel”, it is recommended to test your own skin from time to time for the presence of pathology. To do this, you should strongly compress the dermis at the suspected site of cellulite formation. There is no need to worry if the surface is smooth. Otherwise, it is necessary to begin taking measures to eliminate the “orange peel” and prevent its further development.
Interestingly, cellulite has been studied by scientists for several decades. Experts assure (according to the journal of the American Medical Association JAMA in 1978) that pathology is not a disease. Scientists say it is caused by impaired metabolism, but no drugs have yet been created against its development.
Mischa Barton
Only the star herself knows exactly how much Mischa Barton gained from 2009 to 2014. But fans kept saying that the star had relaxed. In 2020, the actress returned to her original weight and looked very slim. Barton limited herself to only occasional comments in the press. “Guys, I am happier and healthier than ever. I still love yoga, Pilates and Thai foot massage.”
“To get rid of cellulite you need a comprehensive approach!
Be sure to help your skin while losing weight.
Use scrubs (read about the best ones at the link) and do body wraps. A contrast shower is also very useful!” Text: Yulia Kozoliy
Development mechanism
Let us remember that cellulite is a change in the structure of adipose tissue. The affected segments of the latter no longer take an active part in the overall fat metabolism of the body. In this regard, the connective tissue that is located around the fat cells begins to grow. This process happens quite quickly. As the tissue grows, it compresses and pushes fat-filled cells toward the surface of the dermis. This is the reason for the formation of small tubercles and depressions.
Fat cells are located differently on healthy and cellulite-affected skin
The emerging segments do not allow substances responsible for the breakdown of fats in the body to penetrate cells affected by pathology. In this regard, the latter accumulate more and more toxic compounds and fat. Thus, the bumps increase in size, and the surface of the dermis looks increasingly loose and flabby.
It should be noted that cellulite has nothing to do with being fat. Pathology is only a consequence of impaired cellular metabolism, due to which fat cannot leave the segments in which it accumulates. You must have noticed that “orange peel” occurs in both obese and thin women.
Most often, cellulite develops over years. That is why it is important to determine the presence of pathology in the early stages. This way you can quickly and painlessly eliminate unsightly relief. Of course, there are exceptions. The latter often manifest themselves in the form of accelerated development and spread of “orange peel” skin. In this case, a woman who has just discovered signs of cellulite realizes after a few months that her body has become flabby. Typically, such phenomena occur during pregnancy or other hormonal changes.
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Elena Golubnichaya:
“Cellulite develops due to lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle. With insufficient loads, the outflow of lymph from body tissues slows down, and organs begin to suffer from a lack of oxygen and nutrients. The result: excess weight and more pronounced cellulite. An additional factor is stress. Nervous irritability causes active release of adrenaline and norepinephrine into the blood. If there are a lot of such hormones, spasm of blood vessels and stagnation in tissues occurs.”
Reasons for development
The main reasons for the development of cellulite are:
- Physiological characteristics of the female body. It is known that representatives of the fair sex are most susceptible to the appearance of “orange peel”. The reason for this is the different structure of connective tissue. In women, the latter is more extensible and loose. This is primarily due to the possibility of having offspring, because during pregnancy a girl’s body volume increases noticeably in a relatively short time.
Fat cells in men and women are located differently, which explains the predisposition to cellulite in the fair sex - Hormonal changes. In this case, the deviations for representatives of different sexes will be different: For women. The hormone that directly affects the possibility of cellulite formation is estrogen. The latter is able to activate the sebaceous glands, increase the concentration of fluid in tissues, relax muscles, prevent the production of soluble collagen and increase vascular permeability.
- In men. Representatives of the stronger sex also have estrogen. The latter performs important functions in a man’s body: it maintains the level of “good cholesterol” at the proper level, improves brain activity and helps normalize the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. But the female sex hormone is beneficial only when its concentration in the blood is 10 units less than the same value of testosterone.
- An abundance of harmful foods in the diet. These include chips, soda, sweets and much more.
Hamburgers, fries and other unhealthy foods are bad for the health of the dermis
If there is a lack of protein in the body, cells cannot renew themselves in a timely manner.
For normal skin function, you need to consume complex carbohydrates daily.
The presence of the right fats in the diet ensures normal thyroid function.
To prevent the development of cellulite, try not to use frying pans or deep fryers.
Fruits and vegetables should be present in the diet daily
To avoid cellulite, you should eat small portions
Excessive salt intake leads to edema
Caffeine disrupts the water-salt balance in the body
An adult should drink about 2 liters of clean water per day
- Alcohol. Alcoholic drinks, especially strong ones (whisky, cognac, etc.), have a high calorie content. In addition, alcohol increases the concentration of estrogen in the blood.
Excessive alcohol consumption increases the amount of estrogen in the blood
Using tobacco products reduces the rate of collagen production
Even an ordinary walk with the dog is suitable as physical activity.
Wearing high heels helps slow blood flow in the legs
Tight clothing slows down blood circulation in tissues
It is recommended to relieve stress after a hard day at work in a harmless way, such as taking a bath.
- Eating disorders. When suffering from anorexia or bulimia, sudden changes in body weight occur.
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Elena Golubnichaya:
“If a girl actively loses weight while dieting, she may end up with a flabby body with cellulite. Because most diets severely limit the body in the nutrients it needs every day for normal functioning.
Our body is smart and begins to adapt to new conditions: it burns muscle instead of fat. On the contrary, fat is stored, since it is the energy necessary for survival! Lose weight correctly, without depriving your body of the substances it needs.”
Stages of development
There are four main stages of cellulite. They all have certain characteristics.
First (initial)
The first stage is characterized by the absence of visible relief. The skin looks smooth, but the connective tissue has already begun to displace fat cells. You can understand that cellulite has begun to develop by the following signs:
- increase in volume of the buttocks for no apparent reason,
- the appearance of sagging skin,
- the occurrence of swelling.
To make sure that the “orange peel” has begun to form, firmly squeeze the skin in the suspected problem area. If the relief is already visible, then it’s time to take action. In addition, under certain lighting, bumps and depressions will be visible without additional manipulation.
At the first stage of cellulite, the relief is visible only when the skin is compressed
As a rule, swelling and an increase in body volume are associated with slagging in the body. The latter most often appears due to the fact that fat segments with an altered structure release toxic substances into the intercellular space. Due to the large number of incoming toxins, the lymph does not have time to remove them. This is the main reason for fluid retention in tissues. Constant swelling leads to compression of the lymph nodes, which makes the situation even worse. The first stage is different in that 40% of the accumulated fluid is removed from the intercellular space quite simply. That is why it will not be difficult to fight cellulite at the initial stage of its development.
Most often, at the first stage of cellulite, it is enough to include any physical activity in your life, start eating more healthily, regularly visit the sauna or bathhouse, and also perform some cosmetic procedures:
- wraps,
- scrubbing,
- masks,
- compresses.
At the first stage of cellulite development, it will be enough to use scrubbing and other cosmetic procedures.
Lymphatic drainage can be noted as a radical method. The latter, provided you maintain an active lifestyle, allows you to forget about the problem for a long time.
Second
The second stage is characterized by a noticeable relief on the skin. When you run your finger over problem areas, you can clearly feel the bumps and depressions. However, if you don’t look closely, you may not see the “orange peel” on the surface of the dermis. In this case, the liquid almost never leaves the intercellular space. In addition, the skin begins to gradually lose its sensitivity.
At the second stage of development, cellulite is visible to the naked eye.
At the second stage, cellulite is fought with:
- a strict diet excluding fatty and sweet foods;
- physical activity;
- cosmetic procedures: wraps, masks, etc.;
- massage: vacuum, honey, spoon, etc.;
- water procedures: contrast showers, baths, etc.
One of the main ways to combat cellulite in the second stage of its development is body wraps.
Third
The third stage of cellulite is characterized by pinching of the arteries and oxygen starvation of the tissues. At this stage, the “orange peel” is clearly visible on the surface of the skin. In addition, due to the lack of oxygen supply, the connective tissue actively grows, forming a network resembling a honeycomb. Each cell is a cluster of cells with fat. It is also worth noting that the skin almost completely loses sensitivity and becomes cold to the touch. It gets to the point that in the winter season, areas affected by stage 3 cellulite are difficult to warm up. Also signs of this stage are:
- Lack of response to pinch. If you do the latter with healthy dermis, it will hurt. If you pinch the skin affected by the pathology, you will feel almost nothing. The fact is that in problem areas the nerve endings are compressed, so their reaction to a pinch is absent or practically not manifested.
- Loss of skin mobility. Connective tissue fibers are “sucked” on one side to the muscles and the other to the dermis. In this regard, the latter becomes practically immobilized and during various manipulations (stroking, etc.) most often remains in its place.
The third stage of cellulite is characterized by noticeable relief and weak sensitivity of the skin.
The third stage of cellulite is not easy to treat. The fact is that lymphatic drainage, cosmetic procedures and dietary changes are practically ineffective in this case. Overgrown connective tissue will not allow you to improve the appearance of your skin even with significant weight loss. Most often, the following methods are used to eliminate cellulite at the third stage:
- massages: vacuum, manual, spoon and dry rubbing;
- electrolysis,
- ultrasound.
One of the main methods of getting rid of cellulite at the third stage of its development is vacuum massage using medical cups
. In addition to radical measures, it is necessary to adhere to a strict diet, take anti-cellulite baths and exercise. All this will help you achieve your desired goal faster.
Fourth (last)
The fourth stage of cellulite is characterized by:
- Conspicuous skin texture, visible even under clothing. The skin looks like swollen yeast dough, not an orange peel.
- “Fossilize” problem areas. The skin becomes very hard to the touch.
- Areas affected by cellulite are blue.
Cellulite at the fourth stage is characterized by a strongly pronounced skin texture.
To understand that cellulite has entered the fourth stage, perform a simple test: strongly squeeze the skin in the problem area, and then sharply release it. If you feel unbearable pain, it means that the “orange peel” is at the last stage of development.
In this case, cosmetic procedures, massage and diet will not help. But it is simply necessary to fight cellulite at the fourth stage, since various types of inflammation and even gangrene can become possible complications. The only truly effective method of getting rid of the “orange peel” at the last stage of its development is liposuction. This is a serious surgical operation, but for the sake of a healthy dermis you will have to take even such measures. However, you should not assume that liposuction will completely rid you of cellulite. The latter will remain after the operation, but in a less pronounced form: at the first, second or third stage. At these stages of orange peel development, you can combat the problem using the methods described above.
Bella Hadid
In 2020, Bella Hadid's figure was criticized after the Victoria's Secret show. Eagle-eyed observers spotted bumps on the model's thighs during the show. However, Bella, like her sister Gigi, always reacts correctly to criticism and does not give in to provocations.
Elena Golubnichaya:
“Massage and wraps help a lot in the fight against unevenness. Nourish, moisturize the skin, fill it with useful elements, promote the production of collagen and elastin. Cold wraps also help with sagging skin.”
