Cellulitis is a structural change in the subcutaneous fat layer, which leads to a violation of microcirculation and lymphatic drainage. Doctors prefer to use the term "gynoid lipodystrophy" instead of "cellulitis"".
Because cellulite is in a sense a secondary female sex characteristic, it is almost impossible to avoid. In one form or another, cellulite is found in 80-90% of women. Trying to get rid of the insignificant manifestations of "orange peel" on the hips and buttocks therefore makes little sense, as it is a normal aesthetic phenomenon.
However, if the increase in fat cells is accompanied by disturbed microcirculation and metabolism of adipose tissue, we can talk about pathological changes that already represent a health problem.
Women often do not notice cellulite, especially at low weight. But in some cases and at a certain stage of development, however, cellulite can cause significant damage to health.
For example, with dilated varicose veins, a vicious cycle develops: dilated varicose veins contribute to cellulite, which in turn complicates venous blood outflow; impaired microcirculation in the thighs and buttocks can lead to disturbed hormonal metabolism and ovarian dysfunction through a feedback mechanism.
Cellulite as a disease
Cellulite is not only a cosmetic problem, but also a sign of poor health. It forms a so-called "dead zone" where tissues do not receive the necessary nutrients and metabolic products are not eliminated. Thus, there is intoxication of the adipose tissue, which over time leads to scarring.
Cellulite requires treatment and early treatment will help prevent more serious health problems in the future.
However, cellulitis is currently not a separate disease because it is not included in the " International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Problems ". Therefore, the solution to the problem of cellulite is not dealt with by the medical establishment, but by beauty salons, but all the methods used to eliminate cellulite are aimed at normalizing the balance of the body's internal environment.
When does cellulite appear?
Nature itself predisposes women to fat tissue disorders, which makes them more prone to cellulite. The most common periods of risk for such disorders include: during pregnancy, after childbirth, when taking hormonal drugs and oral contraceptives. Many women instinctively fear taking medications that affect the hormonal balance in the body and worry about possible weight gain. However, it is worth noting that the new generation of oral contraceptives is safer in this respect.
Although obesity can occur at any time of life, cellulite often occurs as a result of hormonal changes. There are two common causes of cellulite: many women report that changes in skin and adipose tissue occur immediately after childbirth or while taking oral contraceptives. Therefore, we can single out the periods that pose the greatest "cellulite risk"":
- change in hormonal background in adolescents, during pregnancy, after childbirth;
- Unhealthy eating ( excess fast carbohydrates);
- stress and disruption of the hormonal background ( increased cortisol, prolactin and related metabolic disorder );
- sedentary lifestyle.
The causes of cellulite still remain a matter of debate among scientists and doctors. Among the many factors that may be direct or indirect causes of the development of cellulite, the following can be distinguished:
- Hormonal imbalance, including ovarian dysfunction, thyroid disease and other hormonal pathologies.
- The influence of external factors such as unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity ( hypodynamia ).
- Acute and chronic stress situations.
- Heredity and constitutional factors.
Regardless of the cause of cellulite, disruption of microcirculation is always a major factor at the tissue level. Restoring locally disrupted microcirculation becomes a major challenge in the treatment of cellulite. This allows you to activate the metabolism in the adipose tissue and reduce the fat content of the cells, thus overcoming the "dead zone"".
How does fat tissue change with cellulite?
- The volume of fat cells increases.
- Swelling appears, which leads to the formation of "orange peel" - interstitial edema.
- The nerve endings recompress, skin sensitivity and blood vessel tone change.
- Blood and lymphatic circulation is difficult, leading to hypoxia of adipose tissue ( lack of oxygen).
- In hypoxia, connective fibres such as collagen and elastin lose their elasticity and form rough barrier-like scars. This leads to a cellular "walling" effect.
- Isolated collections of cells and scar-like changes form, creating unaesthetic bumps resembling a bunch of grapes or the surface of a mattress.
- Changes in adipose tissue with cellulitis are very similar to changes in other tissues during chronic intoxication and hypoxia. Dystrophy of tissues followed by fibrosis and cirrhosis - are characteristic pathological changes in long-term chronic diseases. Cellulite - is a problem that affects not only adipose tissue, but also metabolism, blood flow and hormonal background of the whole organism.
Cellulite and obesity - what is the difference?
Many people still don't understand the difference between obesity and cellulite. Simply put, obesity in its pure form occurs in men and children, while in women, an overweight body is almost always accompanied by the appearance of cellulite. Cellulite can occur in women even without obesity and with underweight.
Depending on the "cellulite-obesity" ratio, women use different figure correction schemes.
The classification of cellulitis includes several stages of development:
Grade 1 - "soft cellulite": At this stage, the fluid leaves the blood vessels into the intercellular space, which leads to an increase in the volume of adipose tissue. At first glance, this is almost unnoticeable, but in areas of fatty tissue accumulation, bruises and scratches heal more slowly than in other parts of the skin.
Grade 2 - "orange peel": The progression of the process is accompanied by a loss of elasticity of collagen fibers and deterioration of blood circulation in the hypodermis. Cellulite is visible when the muscle is tense or when you take the skin into a fold.
Grade 3 - "hard cellulite": fluid from the blood vessels still fills the intercellular space and connective tissue forms nodules. This leads to the "orange peel" being visible even when the skin is at rest and the skin becomes bumpy.
Grade 4 - "bumpy" or "nodular cellulitis": the number of connecting bumps is significantly increased and pain may occur during palpation.
Cellulitis can also be classified according to characteristics:
- Hard cellulite: characterized by the appearance of solid nodules that are visible only in a certain body position. It is most common in young and active people and in adolescents.
- Soft cellulite: observed in inactive women with low muscle tone and also in women who have suddenly lost weight. Often accompanied by symptoms associated with circulatory disturbances ( bruising, telangiectasia - broom veins ).
- Edematous cellulitis: more often occurs on the feet, with swelling.
- Mixed cellulite: the most common type combining features of different forms of cellulite.
The aim of the review of anti-cellulite treatments is to make people aware that there is currently no radical remedy for cellulite, as it is not only a local problem but a consequence of various internal and external factors.
Treatment of cellulitis and local obesity includes the following steps:
- Reduction of swelling and stimulation of lymphatic drainage using various methods such as manual lymphatic drainage, electrotherapy, vacuum massage, barolaser therapy, presotherapy (instrumental lymphatic drainage) and mesotherapy.
- Improving tissue trophy and microcirculation using methods such as massage, wraps, ultrasound therapy, vacuum therapy and mesotherapy.
- Lipolysis - reduction of the volume of fat cells, which can be achieved by direct injection of lipolytics by galvanic current, phonophoresis, mesotherapy and electrolypolysis, as well as indirectly by increased microcirculation through massage, warming procedures and ultrasound therapy.
- Elimination of lipolysis products with the help of myostimulation, exercise and lymphatic drainage procedures.
- Fibrinolysis - splitting of scar tissue using methods such as incorporation of fibrinolytics by galvanic current, ultrasound therapy and increased blood circulation.
- Strengthening of connective tissue and stimulation of normal collagen and elastin synthesis by laser and barolaser therapy, incorporation of silicon and calcitonin preparations through mesotherapy.
It is important to note that the treatment of cellulite depends on its form. For hard cellulite the emphasis is on softening the tissues and for soft cellulite toning procedures are used. Edematous cellulite requires increased lymphatic drainage and diuretics. Mixed forms of cellulitis require an individual approach with a change in procedures in accordance with the response of the problem areas. Treatment methods should provide lipolysis, improve blood circulation to adipose tissue and muscle, and remove excess fluid from adipose tissue.
The treatment of cellulitis requires the use of different methods depending on the degree of its severity and the form of its manifestation.
Treatment of cellulitis depending on the form:
With hard cellulite, the main goal is to soften the tissues. To do this, heating wraps, vacuum and ultrasound therapy, lymphatic drainage and intensive anti-cellulite massage are used. Honey massage using the labile technique also shows good results. In addition, careful nutritional modification is very important. As a result of properly performed procedures, cellulite becomes pliable and its firmness decreases. Then you can add myostimulation. However, changes in volume and weight do not occur immediately, first the firmness of the subcutaneous fat changes.
Soft cellulite requires toning. Effective here are physical activity, myostimulation, cold and seaweed wraps. Massage in this case helps to strengthen the effect of other procedures.
In the edematous form of cellulite, the key point is lymphatic drainage, which can be manual or instrumental. Sometimes diuretics are also necessary. Massage of the calves is an important element in improving blood circulation in the legs, which helps to improve results. Wearing uncomfortable shoes, wearing heels and tight clothing can cause cellulite, especially edematous cellulite.
Mixed forms of cellulite require a creative approach to treatment with constant monitoring of cellulite manifestation.
Treatments for cellulite depending on the grades:
Wraps, lymphatic drainage, manual and vacuum massage, electromyostimulation and microcurrent lymphatic drainage are used in stage 1 and 2 cellulite.
In stage 3, special attention is paid to influencing the growing connective tissue. They use ultrasound therapy, vacuum and honey massage, alternating them with lymphatic drainage and wraps. Sometimes they also use iontophoresis and phonophoresis with dissolving and lipolytic agents.
In stage 4, ultrasound, lymphatic drainage, electrostimulation, various types of massage and all anti-cellulite methods are recommended. However, such a complex of treatments does not always have a strong effect due to gross fibrotic changes and associated violations such as varicose veins, flatness and overweight. Still, performing these procedures can stabilize skin condition and overall health. Fourth-degree cellulite is already a neglected problem, often accompanied by excess weight, but even in such cases you can sometimes achieve amazing results.
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