Cellulite - Advanced Makeover Clinics

What is Cellulite?

·Cellulite is the changes in skin texture that result in an "orange peel" appearance to the skin.

·Cellulite is much more common in women. Studies show 85-98% of women has some cellulite.

·Men and women organize their fat differently. In men, the connective tissue fibres that organize and support fat run primarily parallel to the skin. This means that men have minimal pulling down of the skin by fat deposits, and therefore smoother skin. Unfortunately for women, their fat is organized perpendicular to the skin. This results in a pulling down of the skin by the connective tissue support structure and an uneven surface.
·Cellulite forms in the superficial fat. All fat is not cellulite, only the part present in this superficial layer. The superficial layer is the last area to be affected by weight loss. Therefore, exercise and weight loss do not eliminate cellulite. Even women who exercise regularly and follow low-fat, nutritious diets may still have cellulite. This makes weight management and cellulite treatment completely different issues.

What are the causes of cellulite?

The two major causes of cellulite are:
·The first is a hardening of the connective tissue support system of fat. These are referred to as connective tissue (fibrous septae). These are made of collagen. Over time, these septae harden and contract. The contraction results in most of the dimpled appearance that characterizes cellulite. Additionally, the contraction leads to a blockage of the blood vessels and lymphatics. The blood vessel blockage further hardens the septae. The lymphatic blockage leads to thick, swollen appearing skin.
·The second major cause of cellulite is protrusion of fat cells into the lower part of the skin known as the "reticular dermis". This protrusion results in worsening of the dimpling.

Cellulite Stages

·Stage 0
No dimpling when the client is standing and lying. The pinch test reveals “folds and furrows”, but there is no mattress-like appearance.

·Stage 1
No dimpling while the client is standing or lying, but the pinch test reveals the mattress-like appearance.

·Stage 2
Dimpling appears spontaneously when standing and not lying down.

·Stage 3
Dimpling is spontaneously positive when standing and lying down.

Classification of Cellulite

1.Oedematous (pertaining to, or of the nature of oedema)
2.Fibrous
3.Fatty
4.Mixture of 1 & 2; 2 & 3; 1 & 3