Causes of Cellulite

Don't be ashamed if you have cellulite. Almost 90% of women have cellulite and although there has yet to be a cure for cellulite, it is a good thing to know the common causes of cellulite to prevent or diminish your cellulite.

Cellulite – what is it?

cellulite cause

Cellulite is the appearance of lumpy dimples and bumps in the skin, most women refer to this texture as "cottage cheese.” cellulite is usually developed on the buttocks and also on the thighs. Most doctors claim that cellulite is caused by poor elasticity in the skin.

Fat cells become too large for the natural fiber compartments that hold the skin; these compartments bulge and form uneven layers of fat underneath the top layer of skin.

So why can't the body hold these fat cells? What causes this cellulite?

Cellulite – what causes it?

Contrary to popular belief, cellulite affects all women, large or skinny. In fact, there are many slim women who have cellulite. Cellulite is an issue of the fat cells and the elasticity of skin. Genes are the main determining factor if you will develop cellulite. Girls as young as 14, may show signs of cellulite. If you want to know how much cellulite you will have, take a close look your mother.

Because cellulite is primarily a female issue, many doctors believe high levels of the female hormone estrogen cause it. Many postnatal women or women on birth control will develop cellulite because it is the body's waste system for getting rid of the enormous flow of estrogen in the body.

Cellulite can also be caused by your lifestyle. If you have a poor diet including toxic foods, have bad circulation and fluid retention, your chance of developing cellulite is much higher. Women who lead sedentary lifestyles also increase their chance of cellulite formation due to a hardening of the connective tissues; this causes further dimpling below the skin.

Aging also promotes cellulite since the subcutaneous skin layer becomes much thinner and the contents of this deep skin layer are redistributed (usually with unflattering results) over time. Cellulite can also develop after a traumatic injury, when the circulatory system has been disturbed in that location.

The causes of cellulite are summed up in the list below and understanding the leading causes of cellulite will help you manage and, where possible, prevent your cellulite.

Why Cellulite is Developed

    * Genetics - heredity

Genes highly determine your chance of developing cellulite and it is also primarily a female issue and affects 90% of women.

    * Not sufficient amounts of water

Drinking lots of water will help flush toxins out your body and since cellulite is a mixture of fat, water, and toxic wastes that the body has failed to eliminate, drinking plenty of water can help diminish cellulite.

    * Poor quality diet

A poor diet consisting of alcohol, processed foods, and caffeine contributes to cellulite since the toxins they produce get trapped in the fatty tissues. Some even say that spicy foods can contribute.

    * Smoking

Here's another reason you should quit smoking, it promotes cellulite by damaging the connective tissue in your body which causes the dimpled effect in cellulite.

    * Medicating

Diet, sleeping pills and diuretic pills can all lead to cellulite. Birth control also may increase cellulite formation because of its tendency to produce high levels of estrogen; it also leads to water retention, which inhibits the body from flushing the system of toxins properly, leading to the formation of cellulite.

    * Sedentary life-style

The results of a sedentary lifestyle, poor circulation and muscle tone, can cause cellulite to develop. Lack of exercise hardens the connective tissue in the skin, which causes the dimples.

    * Crash diets

Crash diets increase the risk of cellulite because the body thinks that it is starving and it attempts to consume saturated fats that help build cellulite. Unfortunately, these fats block the arteries and get trapped in tissues as well, preventing sufficient waste and toxin removal.

Although there are a variety causes of cellulite, there are also a variety of products and techniques that help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Learn more about treatment options for cellulite.

Product Reviews for Cellulite Treatments

Searching for that cellulite treatment which actually works? We've created reviews on all the solutions available, from medical to spa treatments, to home remedies and life style changes and compiled all the information just for you.