What Causes Cellulite?

Cellulite, called medically gynoid lipodystrophy, is the puckering of skin due to a weakening of connective tissue and the development of a layer of fat beneath the skin.  This layer of fat pushes up against the connective tissue and causes it to bulge up and lose its normal elastic characteristics.  This looks on the surface like lumpy or dimpled skin.

Cellulite is not a sign of an underlying disease, however, it does indicate that the body is not eliminating toxins effectively and is instead increasing fat cells to store these toxins.  According to some reports, cellulite occurs in 90% of women and 10% of men.

For many women, this can occur as they experience fluctuations in hormones that cause changes in their circulatory patterns.  Also, a sedentary lifestyle and insulin resistance and increased exposure to chemicals from smoking, body care products and poor diet play a role in the breakdown of collagen and the formation of these new fat cells.

There are four stages of development which may begin in women as early as age 16.

• Grade 0: No cellulite present
• Grade 1:  Smooth skin while standing, bumps and dimples appear while sitting.
• Grade 2: Orange peel or cottage cheese appearance sitting or standing.
• Grade 3: Orange peel appearance present while sitting or standing with deep raised and depressed areas.