You don’t have to be overweight to have cellulite, and it happens to men too, which makes it the bane of most people’s existence! But what causes the dreaded ‘orange peel’ effect, and is there a way to fix it?
Let’s start at the beginning. Basically, cellulite is fat. Everyone has fat cells under their skin, and cellulite occurs as these fat cells swell and the surrounding fibrous tissue changes in texture. This causes a pulling effect and gives the skin a dimpled look. Dr. Albert Viljoen from Hello Doctor recommends pinching the skin around your upper thigh to check if you have cellulite. If it looks lumpy, you probably have it. Don’t stress though, remember MOST people also have it – yes – even models.
What Causes Cellulite?
Several things influence how much cellulite you have and how visible it is, including:
- Fad/detox/crash dieting
- Poor diet and nutrition
- Slow metabolism
- Lack of exercise
- Hormonal changes
- Dehydration
- The thickness and colour of your skin, and
- Total body fat
How Do I Treat Cellulite?
There are many treatments and products that promise to get rid of cellulite, but there isn’t much evidence to show that they work in the long term. Treatments include spa and massage treatments, cellulite creams, liposuction, mesotherapy and laser treatment.
The safest and most sustainable treatment option is to combine exercise (which tones your body) with weight loss (if it’s necessary.) Experts agree that the most effective exercise routine for cellulite is a blend of aerobic exercise and strength training along with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, water and fibre.
If you would like to talk to a doctor about cellulite and how to treat or prevent it, simply download the free Hello Doctor app, and talk to one of our doctors.