Cellulite, the bumpy skin that resembles cottage cheese, is a major aesthetic concern for most women. Seen on the hips, thighs and buttocks, it can be especially worrying in the swimsuit season. Men don’t get cellulite, which means that cellulite is a woman-specific problem. Let’s look at the reasons for this:
- Structure of the skin: The upper layer of subcutaneous fat is composed of the fat cells surrounded by connective bands of tissue. It is these fat cells that push upwards and show up on the skin’s surface as cellulite. Women have tissue bands that are arranged in vertical columns, making it easy for the fat cells to push upwards. In men, the connective bands of tissue appear in a crisscross pattern and control and hold the fat better, which they are not prone to cellulite.
- Estrogen and skin quality: Estrogen causes the fat cells to clump together and gives women more reserves of fat. Those clumps bunch up and eventually show through the skin as cellulite. Women have thinner skin which makes the cellulite is easily visible. Men do have some estrogen in their bodies and can get the fat clumps that are the basis of cellulite, but testosterone breaks down fat.
- Areas of fat storage: Men are more likely to hold fat in their abdomen, while women store it in the buttocks and thighs. Fat around tummy area is firmer and more dimple-proof than fat in the lower body that carries more weight. Women move the muscles more in the lower body and they push out more against the fat layer, making cellulite visible.
Cellulite cannot be managed with liposuction, massage, injectables, topical creams or herbals. Experts say that a well-balanced diet and exercise, combined with an active lifestyle can help reduce cellulite. Cellulaze treatment is highly recommended solution. This FDA-approved laser-enabled technology from industry leader Cynosure is effective because it is specifically designed to address the underlying structural issues that cause cellulite and also to improve skin quality.
