Why Cellulite Impacts Women More and What Factors Worsen It

Exploring Why Cellulite Predominantly Affects Women and the Contributing Factors that Intensify Its Appearance
Tl;dr
Understanding Cellulite: More than Just Fat
Cellulite: it’s a term that 90% of women are intimately familiar with, most commonly appearing on the hips, thighs, and buttocks. However, it’s not just an issue of accumulated fat. As Dr. Andy Chien, a dermatologist at Kaiser Permanente in Seattle, USA explains: “Cellulite is dimpled or uneven skin” which typically emerges post-puberty. Obesity specialist Dr. Jennie Stanford likens the appearance to “orange peel”, a phenomenon that is not size-exclusive.
Formation of Cellulite: A Complex Process
Cellulite, according to Stanford, is a “complex and multifactorial” issue. It forms when fat cells underneath the skin expand, pushing against the connective tissue and creating an uneven skin surface. Dr. Joel Kopelman, a plastic surgeon, further elucidates this process: the pressure exerted by these fat cells results in a dimpled effect, giving cellulite its characteristic lumps and depressions.
Several factors contribute to the development of cellulite:
- Genetic predisposition can influence the distribution of fat and strength of connective tissue.
- A sedentary lifestyle and a diet high in processed food.
- Insufficient exercise, leading to reduced muscle tone.
Additionally, Chien notes that hormonal changes may also play a role.
Why Women are More Prone
Although both men and women can experience cellulite, it is significantly more common in women due to differences in connective tissue structure. “In women, the connective tissues under the skin are arranged vertically, allowing fat to protrude and create a lumpy appearance,” explains Kopelman. Men, contrastingly, have a cross-hatched connective tissue structure, which better retains fat and prevents a lumpy appearance. Therefore, even physically fit women can exhibit cellulite, while in men, it is less likely to occur even with excess weight.
Treatments for Cellulite
Several aesthetic treatments can combat cellulite, primarily by improving skin circulation and elasticity. Options include mesotherapy, shockwaves, carboxytherapy, and radiofrequency. Mesotherapy, an old yet highly effective technique, involves injecting active ingredients like artichoke extract, carnitine, or melilot to boost fat cell metabolism, eliminate toxins, and improve skin tone, as explained by Dr. Izaskun Astoreca, a specialist in aesthetic medicine and nutrition.
Anti-cellulite product development is so intensive that it can take up to twelve years from conception to patenting and results verification. Currently, caffeine is the most effective and commonly used active ingredient for combating cellulite, but the search for new ingredients continues.