The medical field knows it as adiposis edemaatosa, status
protrusus cutis or gynoid lipodystroply. You call it orange peel,
cottage cheese or hail damage. Yes, I’m talking about the cursed
phenomenon known as cellulite.
Cellulite is the term used to describe the dimpled appearance of
skin caused by fat deposits that occurs in 85 percent of
post-pubertal women and only rarely occurs in men — most of whom
are deficient in male hormones. It generally appears in the
abdomen, lower limbs and pelvic region of women.
There are three classifications of cellulite. Grade 1 cellulite
presents no clinical symptoms but a microscopic examination of
cells can detect the anatomical changes.
Grade 2 requires the skin to show a pastiness, be lower in
temperature and have decreased elasticity as well as microscopic
anatomical changes. And, Grade 3, of course, is the infamous orange
peel syndrome women all over the world have come to know and
hate.
Although at one time cellulite was thought to be a disease, its
classification as a disorder of any kind has been questioned by
medical experts. The prevailing opinion today is that it is a
normal condition of aging.
Contrary to popular opinion, it does not result from being fat.
Cellulite is an issue of fat cells and skin elasticity that affects
women as young as 14 irrespective of whether they are fat or
thin.
The causes of cellulite are not well understood but there are
several theories that have been advanced. Hormonal factors are
suspected to be one of the main culprits.
Many scientists believe estrogen, insulin, noradrenalin, thyroid
hormones and prolactin are part of the cellulite production
process. Many postnatal women or women on birth control pills
develop cellulite because the body’s waste system can’t eliminate
the enormous flow of estrogen in the body. Sleeping pills,
diuretics and diet pills have also been linked to hail damage.
Diet and lifestyle are two other factors suspected to be major
players. People who eat too much fat, carbohydrates or salt and too
little fiber show a propensity for greater amounts of cellulite, as
do smokers and those who are sedentary.
Interestingly, tight clothing that limits blood flow may
contribute to the formation of the orange peel syndrome. And last
but not least is, of course, genetics.
Certain genes that are linked to slow metabolism, circulatory
insufficiency and distribution of fat just beneath the skin may
predispose an individual to cellulite deposits.
A multi-billion dollar industry has grown up around the attempt
to get rid of cellulite without much support from scientific
research. There are a multitude of physical and mechanical
therapeutic methods including pneumatic massage, lymphatic flow
massage, heat therapy, ultrasound and radio frequency and magnetic
and radial wave therapy, as well as electrical stimulation.
However, there is no solid empirical evidence that any of these
methods are effective.
A second class of cellulite removal strategies consists of drugs
that are suppose to act on fatty tissues and are either injected,
taken orally or applied topically. None of these have established a
consistent efficacy.
Then there is the world of alternative treatments such as
seaweed body wraps, cellulite crèmes and soaps and caffeine crèmes,
none of which are achieving world shattering results. And finally,
there is camouflage which can be accomplished by fake tans that
hide the dimpling and supportive clothing.
It looks like, until a cure for cellulite is found, you’re left
with the two modalities that are known to work – diet and exercise.
What a surprise!
Cord Prettyman is a certified Master Personal Trainer and the
owner of Absolute Workout Fitness and Post-Re-hab Studio in
Woodland Park. He can be reached at 719-687-7437 or by email at
cordprettyman@msn.com.