Cellulite is one of the most common cosmetic complaints among women. This isn’t surprising considering that as many as 90% of women experience some degree of cellulite.
In this article, Dr. Arash Moradzadeh of AM Facial Plastics — with locations in Santa Barbara and Beverly Hills, California — explains the common causes of cellulite and what we can do to help smooth the appearance of your skin.
3 common causes of cellulite
Cellulite is known for causing a lumpy appearance on certain areas of your body, but despite the common misconception, cellulite isn’t fat. Rather, the appearance of cellulite has more to do with your skin rather than body fat.
Cellulite develops when the skin on your thighs, hips, or buttocks is pulled downward by connective tissue bands. Because skin is pulled by the connective tissue, it creates a web in which fat cells start to protrude. As the fat cells pop through the tissue webbing, you start to see the tell-tale dimpling and lumps.
But what causes the under-skin web of connective tissues to shift in the first place? Below are the three common causes of cellulite.
1. Aging
As you age, your skin changes. Elastin and collagen production slow down, leading to increased skin laxity. Blood flow to your skin is also reduced, which can affect the connective tissues in your skin.
2. Hormone changes
Hormones are chemical messengers, and they’re involved in many different bodily processes and functions. Hormones also play a role in the development of cellulite. Certain hormones, including insulin and catecholamines, play a role in how fat cells are stored.
This doesn’t mean that only overweight individuals see cellulite. On the contrary, you may be at a perfectly healthy weight and still see cellulite because of the way your body stores fat cells. This is also why women in menopause may see more cellulite, as their bodies are going through a significant shift in hormones.
3. Lifestyle factors
In addition to genetic factors, lifestyle factors play a role in the development of cellulite. This includes smoking and leading a sedentary lifestyle. Nutritional factors that increase your risk of cellulite include diets low in fiber, high in fat, high in carbohydrates, high in sodium, and lacking fresh produce.
Getting rid of cellulite
Although the majority of women see some degree of cellulite at some point in their lives, you’re not necessarily stuck with it. If you’re bothered by cellulite, Dr. Moradzadeh offers a variety of treatments to reduce the appearance of lumps and improve your skin texture.
Depending on your aesthetic goals and the extent of your cellulite, Dr. Moradzadeh can suggest the right treatment for you. Options include:
- Cellfina®: a minimally invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that reduces cellulite by releasing the connective tissues that create that web
- Profound®: a nonsurgical treatment that smoothes and tightens your skin thanks to the powerful combination of radiofrequency energy and microneedling
- Sculptra®: an injectable dermal filler that combats cellulite by adding volume to smooth out the affected areas and by increasing collagen production
- Renuva®: an injection procedure that reduces the appearance of cellulite by adding fat deposits to the areas with the bumpy texture
If you’re bothered by cellulite, no matter the cause, we can help. Call 310-659-9900 to book your cellulite consultation with Dr. Moradzadeh today. You can also reach us through our online scheduling tool.