Cellulite is when the fat beneath the skin pushes against the connective tissue. This is what causes the skin above it to look dimpled and bumpy – some people even say it looks similar to orange peel. There are varying degrees of cellulite and it can range from being barely noticeable to more severe and spread out over a larger area.
Although the formation of cellulite is a natural process and won’t harm you, a lot of women don’t like the way it looks and wants to get rid of it or at least minimise its appearance.
It’s sometimes difficult to know what causes cellulite, as there are often different factors involved, including:
- Dehydration
- An unhealthy diet
- A slow metabolism
- Not being physically active enough
- Changes in hormone levels
- Having a high body fat percentage
- Certain genetic make-ups
Common areas for cellulite to develop
Cellulite is most common around the thighs, bottom, lower stomach, and hips. Although more common among overweight people, all body types can develop cellulite, and 9 out of 10 women will experience it at some point in their lives.
How your lifestyle can affect your cellulite
A lot of people are not aware of this, but cellulite is actually greatly dependent on lifestyle. Being an active person and eating a healthy diet can have a significant effect on how visible your cellulite is – or whether you have it at all!
A high-stress lifestyle has been proven to increase the compounds associated with the development of cellulite, whereas exercising regularly and eating healthily can help to make cellulite less noticeable and even prevent it in some cases.
