Cellulite Explained

Cellulite is the term used to describe a condition for both men and women where the skin of the lower limbs, abdomen, and pelvic region becomes dimpled after puberty. The term was first used in the 1920s and began appearing in English language publications in the late 1960s, the earliest reference in Vogue magazine,"Like a swift migrating fish the word cellulite has suddenly crossed the Atlantic."
Other descriptive names for cellulite include orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin, the mattress phenomenon, and hail damage. Cellulite is not related to a particular size overweight; average and underweight people also get cellulite.
Some degree of cellulite is seen by nearly all post-pubescent females. There appears to be a hormonal component to its presentation. It is rarely seen in males. Athough it is seen more commonly in males with androgen-deficient states such as Klinefelter's syndrome, hypogonadism, post-castration states and in those patients receiving estrogen therapy for prostate cancer. For males with androgen deficiency the cellulite gets worse as the condition does.
What Causes Cellulite
The causes are poorly understood still, and several changes in metabolism and physiology may cause cellulite or contribute to cellulite. Included in these are a disorder of water metabolism, abnormal hyperpolymerization of the connective tissue, and chronic venous insufficiency.
Hormones play a large role in cellulite formation. It seems to initiate, and aggravate cellulite. Further hormones such as insulin, the catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin also have been shown to participate in cellulite development.
Prediposing factors have been shown to be necessary for the development of cellulite. These include gender, race, biotype, a hormone receptor allele that determines the receptor number and sensitivity, distribution of subcutaneous fat, and predisposition to circulatory insufficiency.
Lifestyle and dietary factors also impact how much and whether cellulite develops. Excessive amounts of fat, carbohydrates, salt, alcohol or too little fiber can all contribute to an increased cellulite. Smoking, lack of exercise, tight clothes, high heeled shoes, and sitting or standing in a single position of extended periods have all been related with an increase in cellulite. A high stress lifestyle will cause an increase in the catecholamine hormones.
Cellulite Grades
Grade 1 cellulite is no clinical symptoms, but histopathology detects underlying anatomical changes.
The second grade of cellulite is when the skin appears with pallor, lower temperature, and decreased elasticity after compression or muscular contraction. There is no visible "orange peel" roughness to the skin. Additional anatomical changes are detected by histopathology.
Grade 3 cellulite includes a visible "orange peel" roughness to the skin. This is known as the "canonical" grade of cellulite. Thin granulations in the deep levels of the skin can be detected by palpitation. All Grade 2 signs are preset, with further anatomical changes are detectable by histopathology.
The last grade 4 cellulite has all the signs of 3 but with more visible, palpable, and painful lumps present which adhere to deep structures in the skin. Not only does the skin have a noticeable, wavy appearance but more histopathologic changes are detected.

By: Abigail Mckenzee

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