Dermo tips
Cellulite: Causes and prevention
Cellulite, a typically female esthetic challenge, affects nearly all women, regardless of their dress size. Let’s try to understand this issue in order to better prevent it.
Mild or severe cellulite
Cellulite is not a disease per se, but rather a cosmetic issue. It is almost entirely a woman’s problem – approximately 9 out of 10 women vs. 1 out of 50 men – and doctors consider it a normal physiological development. Cellulite occurs after puberty and is generally painless. Mild cellulite can be seen by pinching the skin, while severe cellulite involves visible dimples when skin is at rest. Cellulitis, on the other hand, is a skin infection caused by bacteria. (We will not be addressing this condition, which always requires medical attention.)
Causes
Hormones: Estrogen hormones increase the ability of fatty tissues to store fat. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and oral contraceptives play a role in cellulite formation.
Anatomy: Women are more prone to cellulite because their bodies have, on average, twice the fat cells that men’s do.
Heredity: Women whose mothers have cellulite are more likely to have it themselves.
Ethnic origin: Caucasian women are more susceptible to this problem than Asian or Black women.
Poor blood circulation: Certain researchers believe that cellulite involves not only fat cells but also poor circulation.
Aggravating factors
Poor diet: A diet that is high in sugar, fats and sodium, and low in fibre increases a person’s risk of developing cellulite.
Lack of exercise: Physical inactivity promotes the development of fatty tissues at the expense of the muscle mass.
Excess weight: Every extra kilogram makes the problem worse.
Clothing and footwear: High-heeled footwear and clothing that is tight around the legs hinder the movement of the calves, which, in turn, reduces blood circulation.
Smoking: Smoking decreases the quantity of oxygen to the tissues.
Negative emotions (frustration, anxiety, depression, stress): Promote the release of catecholamine, a hormone that can stimulate the formation of fat.
Consequences
While cellulite is a cosmetic problem and not a health issue, it can nevertheless lead to certain physical discomfort and even pain. It’s also important to know that the longer you wait to try to eliminate it, the harder the nodules become, making them more difficult to remove.
Treatment
Eat a healthy diet which includes:
- Lean proteins (fish, chicken, seafood)
- Slow-burning carbohydrates (pasta, rice)
- Vegetables (raw and cooked)
- Fruit
- Fibre (bran and whole-wheat grains)
Drink plenty of fluids: Every day, drink two to three litres of fluids: espacially water, but also herbal tea, sugar-free fruit or vegetable juice.
Get aerobic exercise: There are no specific exercises that target cellulite-prone areas, but you should practise an activity that increases your heart rate, boosting blood flow and oxygen to the tissues.
Massage: Using hands, a massage glove or a loufah sponge, massage the target areas to stimulate blood circulation.
Certain devices available on the market work on improving blood flow by lifting the skin with suction through two rollers. You should know, however, that the sessions are painful and that treatments have to be repeated several times a week.
As far as liposuction is concerned, many experts agree that it is costly and ineffective when it comes to fighting cellulite.
Pharmacological measures
Pharmacy services
Do you have questions? Need personalized advice? Talk to your Uniprix dermo-cosmetic beauty consultant.
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