BY CHIOMA OBINNA
Do you have dimpled appearance on your skin?  Do you know what causes it?  Are you worried that your skin is not as smooth as you would have loved it to be?  Experts say the dimpled-like appearance is nothing more than fat deposits that are just below the surface of the skin.  Known as Cellulite, it generally appears on skin in the abdomen, lower limbs, and pelvic region, and it usually occurs after puberty.

Sadly, although Cellulite occurs in men and women, experts say it is more common in women because they are more likely to have particular types of fat and connective tissue.

Mostly confused with stretch marks, dermatologists has said that there is a big difference between stretch marks and cellulite. Those who suffer with cellulite not only suffer from the condition itself, but also suffer from the social stigma that comes along with it.  Many people cannot remove their clothes in the public because of cellulite.

• Eating a healthful, balanced diet and exercising may be the best way to reduce the fat content in cells and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

According to medical experts, it is brought on by a hormonal change, usually around the age of puberty and is commonly mistaken to be a condition only for people who are overweight. This is not a fact, because people who are at their normal or even below normal weights will still get cellulite. It is agreed that the condition is related closely to estrogen, the female hormone, which is why most cases are found with women and not men.

One explanation as to why women have cellulite on the front of thighs area, and few men don’t,  is because of how the male and female body structure differs. A woman’s tissue is not as flexible as a man’s so when a woman gains weight, the fat cells will push up and towards the top of the skin, which gives it that cottage cheese look. Men, however, have much less fat on their legs but their skin is thicker and hides what might be going on underneath the skin.

Unfortunately, the causes of cellulite are not well understood, but many believe that it has a lot to do with a person’s metabolism and the way their body deals with fat.

An interesting fact to consider about cellulite and your health is that cellulite is most likely a condition that somebody is predisposed to depending upon a variety of different aspects, such as sex, race, and the cellular structures or “hormone receptors”. By being classified in one or more of these classes, one may risk a higher chance of developing cellulite whereas others might not.

Although cellulite is not caused by being overweight, the foods one eats do play a significant part in the development of the condition. Diets high in sodium, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as diets too low in proper amounts of fiber considerably put you at risk for the development of cellulite.

The way one  live one’s life also tends to be a determining factor in the development of cellulite and your health in general.  People who eat starchy or fatty foods tend to stand or sit in one position for a long amount of time, and who smoke are more likely to develop the signs of cellulite, even if they were not predisposed to the condition.

It is also shown the extreme stress and anxiety cause and increase in a hormone called “catecholamine” which increases the chance of forming cellulite even to a higher percentage. Although, it is not as deadly as obesity, there are several ill effects of cellulite.

Cellulite produces increasing unsightliness. It also produces the deformity in which the lower limbs assume such enormous proportions that the curves of knees and ankles almost disappear.  It gives rise to nervous pressure, which results in severe pain. All these generally occur at night and therefore give rise to ‘insomnia’.

Best Cellulite treatment: Cellulite is really nothing more than fat cells period, and the best way to combat them is a weight loss programme and exercise.

How can cellulite be prevented?  Eating healthy, low fat foods such as fruits, vegetables, and fiber can help one to avoid cellulite. Similarly, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing stress are recommended to prevent cellulite. In addition wearing thongs, boy shorts, or looser fitting undergarments can prevent cellulite that might form due to tight elastic.

How can cellulite be removed?  There are several therapies but none have been supported in scientific or medical literature. These  include pneumatic massages, massages that stimulate lymphatic flow, heat therapy, ultrasound, radio frequency therapy, magnetic therapy, radial wave’s therapy, Endermologie, and electrical stimulation. However, there is no solid evidence that these methods are effective.