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If you have cellulite (9 out of 10 women do), you've probably tried your fair share of things to get rid of it—juice cleanses, hot yoga, expensive creams, and maybe even a gadget that looks more like a torture device than a cellulite treatment. The conclusion? Some do-it-yourself treatments might temporarily reduce the appearance, but none will get rid of it.
So, if you don't target the causes, nothing you do will have any lasting effect. No matter how much kale you eat. No matter how much weight you lift. No matter how much scrubbing you do. Really.
This video gives you the downlow on cellulite's
three biological factors. Dig in further below.
Underneath the skin is a pattern of fibrous bands. Over time these bands thicken, which causes tension on the skin above it. This tension is what causes the dimpled appearance on the skin's surface. All of these bands are partially made of collagen. It's true—of the 28 types of collagen in your body, they all serve a purpose. They keep your skin youthful. They help your heart pump properly. They can heal bones and muscles.
A build-up of Type 1 and Type 3 collagens are found in the fibrous bands under the skin and contribute to cellulite. Of all the collagen in your body, Type 1 is the most abundant. It's found in scar tissue, ligaments, bone, and skin, in addition to these fibrous bands. Type 3 is a triple helix (think DNA) like Type 1, and is found in skin alongside Type 1.
How uneven your skin gets has a lot to do with the elasticity of it. The more taut your skin is, the more bounce back it has, the smoother your skin will be. The looser your skin is, the more space fat cells have to fill—creating a more dramatic appearance of cellulite.
What makes your skin get thinner and lose its elasticity? It's everything from years on this planet to afternoons spent lounging poolside sans sunscreen.
The third factor that contributes to cellulite is fat. Women's fat cells are larger than men's—thanks to estrogen. These larger fat cells push into the skin, while the thickened fibrous bands pull down, creating an uneven skin surface. Imagine a tufted pillow.
So, regardless of your body type, or whether you're a size 2 or 22, you could have cellulite.
Most women do. Diet and exercise might help the appearance of your cellulite. Yay! But if you still have those thickened fibrous bands, odds are you still have cellulite. Boo! In fact, in some cases, weight loss
can even make the appearance of cellulite worse. Double boo!
*Responses represented by a survey of 2006 U.S. women ages 18-59 who have cellulite and 302 licensed U.S. health care professionals (151 Dermatologists and 151 Plastic Surgeons), conducted by The Harris Poll between January 2-26, 2020 on behalf of Endo Aesthetics.
