Cellulite is a fact of life

Every day, you look in the mirror and see that dimpled lumpy skin on your thighs or bottom. Don’t worry; you’re not alone! Cellulite is a widespread cosmetic problem that affects nearly all women, regardless of their dress size. Let’s try to better understand this issue.

The ins and outs of cellulite

Cellulite is a cosmetic, rather than a health issue. In fact, doctors consider it to be a normal physiological development. 

Good to know!

Cellulite should not be confused with cellulitis, a serious skin infection caused by bacteria, which requires treatment with antibiotics. This article only deals with cellulite. 

Cellulite is almost entirely a woman’s problem, with approximately 9 in 10 women vs. 1 in 50 men being affected. It occurs after puberty and is generally painless. 

That typical orange-peel skin associated with cellulite is thought to be the result of a change in the structure of the body’s fatty tissue located beneath the epidermis. The most cellulite-prone areas are the thighs, buttocks, stomach, back of the neck, arms and knees. 

Mild or severe? 

There are three types of cellulite. 

Adipose or mild cellulite
Hardly discernible and soft to the touch, it can only be seen by pinching the skin. Poor diet is one possible cause. 

Fibrous cellulite
Firm to the touch and visible, it gives skin that telltale bumpy, orange-peel look. It is hard to treat because it is often related to age and sagging skin.

Infiltrated cellulite
Visible without pinching the skin, this type is thought to be due to poor blood flow.

Cellulite risk factors beyond our control

Many factors increase the risk of developing cellulite.

Hormones
Estrogen increases the fat storage capacity of fatty tissue. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and oral contraceptives also contribute to the formation of cellulite.

Anatomy
Women are more prone to cellulite because their bodies have more fat cells that men’s do.

Heredity
Women whose mothers have cellulite are more likely to have it themselves.

Ethnic origin
Caucasian women are more susceptible to this problem than Asian or Black women.

Other factors, such as poor diet, excess weight and lack of exercise, can also have a negative impact on the appearance of skin and contribute to the development of cellulite.

Pharmacy services

In short, cellulite is a common, widespread problem that is unpleasant, but often inevitable. That being said, there are ways to minimize its appearance. If you need advice in this respect, drop by a Uniprix store and talk to one of our dermo-cosmetic consultants. She can point you in the right direction!