Cellulite is a term that is used to describe skin on the thighs, abdomen, buttocks, and hips that has become lumpy and dimpled. Even though cellulite can be embarrassing, here are some reasons why you shouldn’t worry about it.
- Cellulite does not only affect the overweight.
While cellulite has come to be associated with being overweight, this is not always the case. Cellulite develops from subcutaneous fat, which is a type of fat that resides just below the skin and everyone has, even skinny people. Therefore, cellulite can happen to anyone, regardless of weight, age, or gender. Additionally, losing weight will usually not cause cellulite to disappear.
- Most treatments are only short-term solutions.
Though there are many treatment methods that advertise amazing results, usually these products will not live up to their claims. Additionally, most treatments such as massages or creams do not have any studies that back up their effectiveness. Expensive treatments such as liposuction or laser therapy can be very expensive and even effective in some cases; however, these results will usually not last more than six months. The best way to fight cellulite is to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly in order to make a lifestyle change rather than simply find a fast and easy way to lose a few pounds. Though it will not get rid of it completely, strengthening the muscles in your legs, thighs, buttocks, and abdomen can help to improve the appearance of cellulite and make it less noticeable.
- Cellulite affects younger women too.
It is a common misconception that cellulite is something that only affects older women. While it is true that your skin becomes more susceptible to cellulite the older you get, it is still possible to get cellulite at the age of 14 or even younger. The only difference is that as you get older, your skin will begin to lose its elasticity, which tends to make the appearance of cellulite more obvious.
- Sometimes, cellulite is the result of genetics.
If your mother has cellulite in certain areas, there is a greater chance that you will develop cellulite in the same areas as well. This usually has no reflection on your personal health—sometimes cellulite is simply unavoidable. Don’t punish yourself (or your mother) for having this harmless condition—since it is such a common occurrence, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about.
- Having cellulite does not increase your risk for any serious health conditions.
While cellulite may discourage you from wanting to wear a bikini, it is not a danger to you or your health at all. Cellulite does not increase your risk for any health conditions the way that other types of fat can. Visceral fat is the type of fat that is located in your abdominal cavity and surrounds your vital organs. Unlike cellulite, visceral fat has the ability to accumulate deep under muscle tissues and expand into the waistline. While cellulite is harmless, visceral fat disrupts your body’s balance of hormones, which can lead to hardening of the arteries and an increased risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
