Just The Facts About Cellulite

Sunday, February 28th, 2016

Cellulite…if you have it, you are definitely not alone. It appears as “orange-peel” dimples on your thighs, belly, buttocks and hips and although it’s name sounds like a serious medical condition, it’s not. It’s merely cosmetic and is not physically harmful. Cellulite affects approximately 85% of women at some point during their lives. And the interesting thing is, it can affect women who are otherwise slender and fit.

What is cellulite? Here are a few facts:

• Having cellulite doesn’t mean you are overweight. However, if you are overweight, losing excess weight may reduce cellulite.
• Cellulite is not caused by toxins in your body. It is nothing more than normal fat beneath your skin. The fat looks lumpy and bumpy because it pushes against connective tissue, causing the skin above it to pucker.
• It’s true that cellulite runs in families. If your mother and grandmother had cellulite, you have a better chance of developing it.
• Cellulite gets worse with age; hormones seem to play a role in its appearance. As you age, your body produces less estrogen which can mean poorer circulation, a decrease in new collagen production and the breakdown of older connective tissue.
• Regular exercise, both aerobic and strength training, cannot cure cellulite but in many cases exercise can help prevent or reduce its appearance.
• Cellulite tends to be less noticeable on darker skin.
• Factors that influence how much cellulite you have and how visible it is include: Poor diet, total body fat, lack of physical activity, slow metabolism, yo-yo dieting and dehydration.

Want to know more? If you have concerns about cellulite, call us to book a consultation appointment, today at (828) 526-3783. We look forward to meeting you and discussing any questions you may have.