WHAT IS CELLULITIS?The term cellulitis is used for two different skin conditions, which is somewhat confusing. In everyday life, the term cellulitis (cellulite) usually refers to an "orange peel" appearance, a bumpy skin on the upper legs of women.
In the medical world, the term cellulitis is also used for a bacterial infection of the subcutaneous tissue. This form of cellulitis, caused by bacteria, is also called erysipelas. This is a completely different picture, often accompanied by fever and a red, warm leg (see further under erysipelas). This brochure is not about the infection itself, but about cellulitis as a cosmetically disturbing condition on the upper legs.
In the cosmetics industry, cellulitis ('cellulite') or orange peel skin (French term: peau d'orange) refers to a somewhat bumpy structure that can develop on the skin and subcutaneous connective tissue. It is not a disease and is completely harmless. Cellulitis receives a lot of attention as a beauty problem. Buttocks and thighs that look lumpy do not fit into the beauty ideal of being slim and tight.WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?Cellulite occurs almost exclusively in women and is most commonly found on the buttocks and thighs. The skin is bumpy because fat deposits have formed just beneath the skin, in an irregular pattern. Besides bulges, there also appear to be dents or pits, giving the skin a somewhat orange-peel appearance.
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skin orange |
Photos: Vincenzo Varlaro and Evan Amos - Wikimedia (Creative Commons License 4.0 ).
HOW DOES CELLULITIS DEVELOP?Just beneath the skin are fat cells. Fat cells store all the fat they can absorb from the blood and grow larger and larger. In women, the buttocks and hips are areas where fat is readily stored. The fat cells are clustered together in a cluster surrounded by slits of connective tissue. As the fat cells grow, these clusters bulge slightly, while other areas of the skin are prevented from expanding by the connective tissue strands, forming a small indentation. This creates a bumpy, dimpled appearance (orange peel effect).
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| fat cells in cellulite |
Illustration: Sunbeam Vision - Wikimedia (Creative Commons License 2.5 ).
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES?Being overweight, eating too much, and exercising too little are causes, and aging, which causes the loss of skin elasticity, also plays a role. But these aren't the only causes, as cellulite can also occur in young people, children, and slim women. Expanding fat cells seem to be the main explanation for the development of cellulite. This can also occur without being overweight. Possible factors besides aging, being overweight, and exercising include hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, hereditary factors, and smoking.CAN CELLULITIS BE TREATED?By losing weight and exercising regularly, the fat layer decreases and muscle mass increases, resulting in firmer skin.
Beauty salons also offer various treatments. These can include supervised exercise and nutrition programs, as well as skin massages with special oils and treatments using various equipment (ultrasound, skin-connective tissue massage equipment, infrared, and radio waves). In the United States, and now also in the Netherlands, beauty clinics use a device for cellulite treatment that combines infrared light (IR), bipolar radiofrequency (RF), and a connective tissue massage roller (the Velashape). This device massages and heats the skin for approximately 35 minutes. Before-and-after photos circulating online demonstrate improvement. Prices range from €650 to €750 for 6-10 treatments.
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| cellulite: oil massage |
Velashape |
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