Want to know what causes cellulite? Read on.
Cellulite is something that nearly EVERY woman in the world has to deal with. No matter how thin you are or how low your body fat percentage, cellulite is just a normal part of life– even for the actresses and supermodels you see in magazines.
Understanding what causes cellulite is the key to treating it, and preventing it from developing as much as possible. While it’s not fully preventable, you can reduce (and possibly even eliminate) much of the cellulite around your body.
Here is what causes cellulite to form:
- Hormones — Estrogen is the female reproductive hormone, and it helps the woman’s body to store fat (in case of pregnancy). When the amount of fat stored increases beyond what the skin can handle, the skin tends to pockmark–leading to the “cottage cheese” look that we’re all familiar with. Women tend to store fat around their hips, buttocks, and back of their thighs, which is why most women have cellulite in these places.
- Clothing –– Oddly enough, your clothes can have a huge effect on the development of cellulite. If your clothing (particularly your underwear) is tight, it may constrict the flow of blood to your buttocks. Without proper blood flow, your skin won’t get enough oxygen and nutrients to stay healthy, making it more easily damaged by the fatty deposits under your skin.
- Diet –– If you eat too many carbs or too much fat, you are more likely to gain weight. Women pack on the pounds around their hips, thighs, buttocks, and the backs of their arms, so that is where the fat will build up. Too much fat building up, and the skin won’t be able to handle the expansion–leading to cellulite.
READ MORE: 10 Foods That Make Cellulite Disappear
- Genetics –– While cellulite isn’t dependent on genes, those with certain genes are more likely to develop cellulite. Some genes will cause you to be predisposed to having a higher body fat percentage, weaker skin, a slower metabolism, poor fat distribution, and poor blood circulation. All of these things can lead to the formation of cellulite.
- Lifestyle –– Do you smoke a lot? This can lead to poor circulation, preventing your skin from receiving sufficient oxygen and blood to stay healthy and prevent cellulite. Do you spend a lot of time sitting down? Sitting reduces the flow of blood to your lower body, making it more likely that you will develop cellulite. If you don’t do a lot of exercise, you will usually have a higher body fat percentage and poorer circulation. Those who spend a lot of time standing in one position will also be more likely to develop cellulite.
Now that you know what causes cellulite, it’s easy to take steps to deal with the problem. To put it simply, the key to dealing with cellulite is to burn body fat. The lower your body fat percentage, the less risk there is of cellulite.
Here are a few natural remedies to get rid of cellulite:
- Use a scrub brush (soft enough for your skin), and scrub your skin–make sure both the brush and your skin are dry. This helps to stimulate blood flow, increases circulation, and eliminates dead skin cells.
- Eat more gelatin. This will provide your skin with the basic nutrients it needs to stay healthy and elastic–reducing cellulite.
- Try a coffee scrub. Rub the back of your legs with used coffee ground to stimulate blood flow and tighten your skin.
- Moisturize. Coconut oil and olive oil are two amazing fatty acids to provide your skin with the emollients it needs.
