Cellulite refers to the dimpled appearance of the skin of many women seen most commonly on the upper outer thighs, back of thighs and buttocks. Cellulite is a normal human condition but it is viewed by a segment of the public (with the help of the media) as some sort of a disease.
This condition of bulging fat cells and other coexisting factors is very common in women because of differences in the way fat, muscle, and connective tissues are distributed. Cellulite is rarely seen in men and when it occurs it tends to be on the neck and abdomen.
The reason cellulite affects women because the basic muscular makeup is different in women than in men. In addition, a woman's connective tissue becomes more inflexible, especially as she ages, undergoes hormonal changes, and changes in weight. In contrast, men's outer layer of skin is thicker than a women's, hiding any indication of congested fat cells within.
What is the difference between cellulite and fat? Though everyone has a smooth layer of fat, individual amounts depend on weight, lifestyle and genetics. This fat layer is an insulator for the body and cushions the organs, muscles and nerves. Cellulite, on the other hand, is lumpy and provides no padding.
Cellulite is located in the outer layer of fat closest to the skin. Here fat cells are enclosed in collagen pockets. Cellulite occurs when these fat cells become too closely packed together and expand so much that they cause the collagen fibers around them to bend. This causes puckering of the skin above. As the fat cells squeeze on these collagen fibers, there is little room for lymphatic drainage to relieve this build-up of fluids and fat.
The next two layers of fat are not as structured. The fat cells are not separated by connective tissue. The fat in these layers is also, to some degree genetically influenced. The big difference is that the fat in these layers is easily influenced by lifestyle, dietary changes. To test for cellulite, lightly pinch or press an area of tissue between your thumb and finger (or in a larger area, between the palms of your two hands). Normal fat appears fairly smooth, but cellulite will reveal dimples or ripples -like the skin of an orange peel. Cellulite might appear whiter than the rest of your skin.
There are two types of cellulite: Hard cellulite usually occurs more commonly in muscular solidly built women who are active (such as dancers or runners). Hard cellulite is difficult to get rid of because it is attached directly to the muscle and does not lift from the body easily.
Soft cellulite is much more visible. It occurs in larger areas and, because it doesn't attach so strongly to the muscle, it's looser, often sagging from the body. Soft cellulite is the most common type, and luckily it is easier to improve its appearance.
Cellulite can worsen by any or all of the following factors: hormones, age, diet and exercise. Aging also exacts a toll on skin with more cellulite developing with age as collagen production decreases. Diet and exercise affect cellulite only minimally.
There are many treatments to reduce cellulite. Although numerous topical (creams) treatments may seem enticing, no research supports their long-term effectiveness.
It is clear that cellulite is much more complex than having some extra fat underneath the skin. Cellulite is a unique and distinctive layer of subcutaneous body fat that is common to all females and therefore its treatment needs an individualized approach.
This new technology developed by Syneron and received FDA approval in 2005 is called VelaShape. VelaShape is a pain-free, non-surgical alternative that can reduce the appearance of cellulite and remove unwanted localized fat.
