As young girls reach puberty,
they will experience what may seem like an endless amount of body changes.
Among those changes is one often dreaded skin development: Cellulite. Cellulite
is a term often thrown around by adolescent girls and adult women when talking
about the puckered skin on their thighs or their flabbier arms. About 90
percent of women will experience cellulite at one point in their life, but
despite its prevalence, there is still an awful lot of misconceptions about
what cellulite is and what’s causing it. Today, I am going to debunk some of these
myths for you. 

Cellulite is medically
referred to as gynoid lipodystrophy. It is a condition that occurs when there
is a change in fat distribution that alters the structure of fat cells and connective
tissue. In women, fat cells and connective tissue are arranged vertically
in the second layer of skin; the dermis. As fat cells grow, they tend to
protrude through the connective tissue layer and create the appearance of
cellulite.  

Cellulite’s exact cause is
hard to pinpoint as it is often the result of a variety of different
interacting factors. Changes in cell structure can be significantly affected by
hormonal imbalances. Adult women experiencing menopause may be more prone to
cellulite due to a reduction of estrogen. High levels of carbohydrates,
frequent sitting, and a generally inactive lifestyle can also change
circulatory patterns and encourage the growth of fat cells that can subsequently
increase cellulite.  

If you have cellulite, don’t
be too concerned. Some women may attempt to reduce the appearance of cellulite
by using coffee scrubs or wraps, naturally moisturizing, or better regulating
their hormones. However, in terms of your health, cellulite generally does not
pose a threat.