Weight gain
The more the fat chambers fill up, the more their upper edge bulges out and creates the undesirable skin appearance. Severe overweight is automatically accompanied by cellulite, as the fat chambers become bulging due to weight gain.
Thickness of the skin
The thicker the dermis is, the less visible the standing fat chambers are, as they are hidden deeper under the epidermis. As we grow older, the thickness of the skin decreases. Then many women are startled because they suddenly discover the mattress phenomenon in themselves, from which they were spared until then.
Elasticity of the skin
The more elastic the holding apparatus of the fatty tissue and the elasticity of the skin in general, the less the fat chambers bulge out. The number and quality of elastic fibers are determined by many factors. The hormonal situation is essential. Female sex hormones (estrogens, progestins) have a positive effect here and increase the elasticity of the skin. This also explains why the skin becomes more wrinkled and brittle with age, as hormone production continually decreases.
Fluid content of the skin
The more fluid the upper layers of the skin can store, the less the fat chambers of the subcutis become visible. Above all, the proportion of collagen and other protein molecules is decisive here. Again, female hormones have a favorable influence on the production of these proteins.
Swelling of the fat cells
Women who are more prone to water retention also suffer from a slight tendency to swelling of the subcutaneous fatty tissue. The background must be suspected to be alteration of microcirculation, similar to lipedema. Water and protein leak out of the capillaries and cause the fat tissue chambers to swell further. Fine tissue examination reveals dilatation of the lymphatic vessels of the skin. In this way, the stagnant chambers now become even more prominent.
In contrast to increased fluid in the dermis and epidermis, swelling in this area is unfavorable because it increases the phenomenon of cellulitis.
As always, when protein remains in the tissues for a long time, after a while hardening occurs. The subcutis becomes coarser, white blood cells migrate, the tissue becomes inflamed and the septa become more prominent. As a result, one now palpates small nodules and larger lumps in the fatty tissue.
Lack of exercise
Any exercise not only promotes fat loss. It also leads to improved blood circulation. Less fat is deposited over muscles with a good blood supply. These are only two of the factors why exercise is an extremely important factor in cellulite. Those who do little exercise are definitely at greater risk. It is also easy to understand that above a well-developed buttock musculature, the skin appears firmer.
Circulatory disorders
Between arteries and veins exists a regulatory mechanism called veno-arterial reflex. Whenever veins register congestion, they send a signal to the associated arteries, which then contract and reduce blood flow. As a result, blood flow decreases and vein overfilling stops.
In patients with cellulitis, this reflex in the skin is disrupted for unknown reasons. Without this protective reflex, the subcutaneous tissue becomes overfilled and the tendency to edema increases.
Smoking
Smoking is responsible for many diseases. Also for cellulitis? Indirectly yes, because smoking makes the skin thinner! Between 25 to 40% the skin is to lose by the Glimmstengel, so the comparison between smoking with nonsmoking twins. At the same time, cigarettes cause the skin to lose elasticity, resulting in smokers' characteristic fine-featured skin. Both factors make the fat chambers more prominent.
Pregnancy
The skin also changes after pregnancies as part of the natural fluctuation in weight. Not only do the dreaded stretch marks show the damage to the subcutaneous tissue, but cellulite can also increase by leaps and bounds. The reasons are manifold. In addition to weight gain, the general tendency to edema during pregnancy and, of course, hormonal changes play a major role.
Genetics
Women often report that their mothers and sisters are also prone to cellulite. At the same time, "bad connective tissue" is common in the family. Although I am not aware of exact figures on this subject, a certain predisposition is probably not insignificant in the case of cellulitis. If the mother suffers from a pronounced cellulitis, the daughter does not have to get it fatefully. However, it is then very important to minimize the above risk factors.
Summary
In summary, cellulitis is a condition with multiple causes. It could be called a "mini-lipedema", i.e. a disease mainly based on a disturbance of microcirculation, increased fat storage, a protein-rich edema and subsequent hardening. Treating it only as a "cosmetic problem" does not do justice either to the suffering of the affected women or to the complicated medical phenomenon.
