cellulite true meaning
Cellulite is dimpled-looking skin that commonly occurs within the thigh region. It forms when fatty tissue deep within the skin pushes up against animal tissue.
It’s estimated that 86 per cent of all women from 21 years and older have cellulite. It’s not as common in men.
Why does cellulite develop on the thighs mainly?
Cellulite can occur on the thighs because the world naturally has more fatty tissue. Other factors that increase the probability of cellulite include:
- age
- estrogen
- loss of collagen
- family history
- tissue inflammation
- increased adipose tissue caused by weight gain
- poor lymphatic drainage
- poor circulation (a common issue within the legs)
- thinning epidermis (outer layer of skin)
There’s nothing wrong with having cellulite in terms of your overall good health. However, many of us wish to scale back its appearance.
There are exercises and many home remedies that promise to try to do just that, but the key is to work out whether these solutions live up to the hype.
Grades of cellulite
There are three grades of cellulite. This grading chart allows healthcare professionals to assess the severity of the condition, as explained by Michele Green, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist.
Three classifications are:
- Grade 1 (mild): Superficial dimpling with an “orange peel colour” appearance and one to four slight depressions within the skin.
- Grade 2 (moderate): Deeper skin rippling with a “cottage cheese-like” appearance and five to nine medium depressions within the skin.
- Grade 3 (severe): Deep skin rippling with a “mattress-like” appearance and ten deep depressions.
Home remedies for cellulite on thighs
Some home remedies may help reduce the looks of cellulite.
Massage therapy may reduce cellulite by improving lymphatic drainage. It also can help stretch your skin tissue. This might help stretch out cellulite dimples too.
Massage creams offer equivalent benefits, but the critical component is the massaging process. You can’t apply cream and expect the cellulite to travel away by itself.
Also, know that only one massage won’t help when it involves cellulite. You want to repeat the method consistently to realize and maintain your required results.
Bioactive collagen peptides
You may already be wary of supplement manufacturers’ guarantees about changing your body via quick fixes.
However, a 2015 study found improved cellulite in women who took bioactive collagen peptides.
Participants took the daily oral supplement for six months. Overall, there was an observed decrease in cellulite on their thighs mainly. Improvement was seen in both women and men with a moderate and better weight, but those with an average weight saw a significant improvement.
While the outcomes are interesting, more research is needed to copy any supplement’s role in cellulite improvement.
Drink more water
Drinking water is another low-cost option that will help cellulite fade away. It keeps you hydrated, but water also facilitates lymphatic flow and circulation.
Weight loss
Weight loss may additionally help some people with obesity reduce cellulite. Losing excess body fat will naturally lessen the looks of cellulite.
But confine mind, anyone at any weight can have cellulite. It’s not restricted to only those that are overweight or obese.
If you want to reduce or tone your muscles, you’ll find that eating a diet and getting regular exercise can reduce cellulite on your thighs. Consider a number of the exercises below.
Exercises for cellulite on thighs
Particular leg and glute exercises may help tighten the skin around the thigh region. In turn, you’ll also see a discount on cellulite.
While exercise isn’t foolproof, stronger muscles and tighter skin may reduce its appearance.
Here are some exercises you would possibly want to undertake.
Squats
To perform a squat:
- Stand together with your feet shoulder-width apart. Confirm your toes are pointed forward.
- Lower your glutes as if sitting in a chair, ensuring your knees don’t re-evaluate your toes.
- Squeeze your glutes properly as you rise to the starting position, then repeat the steps.
Jump squats
This is a step beyond regular squats with the added challenge of a jump at the end:
- Perform a daily squat.
- As you stand, copy to the starting position, speed up slightly and jump.
- Try to land as softly as you’ll on your feet. Repeat.
Step-ups
- Stand in front of a gym bench or sturdy exercise box.
- Step up on the box, a single foot at a time.
- Step back down within the same pattern. Repeat.
Glute/leg kickbacks
- Get in an all-fours position on the floor.
- Kick one leg back behind, engaging your glutes and upper thighs.
- Repeat 12 to 15 times.
- Lower your leg properly and repeat on the opposite leg.
Side lunges
- Stand tall together with your feet hip-width apart.
- Take a good step to at least one side. Bend your right knee normally as you push your hips back while keeping the left leg straight.
- Keep all feet flat on the ground throughout the lunge.
- Push off with the same leg to return to the starting position.
- Repeat with the opposite side, bending the left knee and straightening the right.
Add progressions
Each exercise above allows you to use your weight to your advantage. You can also incorporate handheld weights and barbells as you see fit.
- Do 12 to 15 repetitions at a time.
- Increase your weights or repetitions as you get stronger.
- Warm up your body before exercise to stop muscle strains.
- Aim for two to three sessions per week, a half-hour at a time.
Rather than specialize in one exercise, aim for a daily workout routine that mixes aerobic conditioning and strength training. Aerobic activities assist you in burning fat, while strength exercises build muscle and help with overall skin elasticity. Combined, these factors may help improve thigh cellulite.
Some aerobic exercises which will help burn fat include
- cycling
- dancing
- hiking
- running
- swimming
- walking
The key here is to seek out an activity you enjoy and persist with it. If you’re new to exercising, make sure to double-check with your doctor first before getting started.
Medications and creams
“Some medications may be prescribed for treating cellulite,” according to Green.
In 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an injectable treatment called QWO, also called collagenase clostridium histolyticum-ages (CCH), for mainly cellulite treatment on the buttocks only. It shows that it is safe to use on the thighs, too. Consult your doctor first.
A 2020 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 259 participants suggested CCH was safe and effective at treating moderate to severe thigh and buttock cellulite.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says some creams may effectively aid cellulite treatment. The AAD reveals daily use of a product with caffeine may reduce the looks of cellulite by dehydrating cells.
Yet, creams alone won’t cure cellulite, and lifestyle adjustments are best.
AAD also indicates that creams with 0.3 per cent retinol can reduce visible cellulite and make skin appear thicker. The AAD notes that it will take six months or longer to note results.
Lifestyle changes are your best bet.
There are no thanks to preventing cellulite. It’s a prevalent condition. The probability of cellulite developing increases with age and certain lifestyle factors.
Although you can’t control your age, you can change your lifestyle, which may help reduce the quantity of cellulite on your thighs and other body parts. These changes can include things like diet and regular exercise.
Talk with a dermatologist if you’re curious about professional procedures to scale back the looks of cellulite. Some treatments, like laser therapy, may help but won’t entirely erase cellulite on your thighs.
If you don’t have a dermatologist, the Healthline FindCare tool can assist you in finding one in your area.
Also important: Know that any remedy or procedure results aren’t permanent. You’ll likely need to repeat the method to repeatedly reduce the looks of thigh cellulite.
