There are many theories about the causes of cellulite, but it seems to have its origins in adolescence when the female hormone estrogen starts to trigger the laying down of fat by enlarging cells in the sub-dermis, particularly on the hips and thighs although cellulite can also occur on other parts of the body. These fat cells are surrounded by connective collagen. Lymph fluid that runs through the tissue gradually begins to accumulate, generally because circulation decreases in this area. As a result, the fat cells are compressed and start to harden into lumps, which in time become obvious through the skin. Some experts also believe causes of cellulite are that of lifestyle factors such as high toxins within the body from drinking alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and so on. A lack of exercise also increases your chances of cellulite as with aging which results in a decrease of thickness and tone of the connective tissue within the dermis and superficial fat layer.

The way it all works is your skin (dermis) sends down anchoring fibers to the muscle. Between the skin and the muscle is a space filled with fat cells. When the fat cells start pushing against the skin between these fibers, it creates a lump appearance.

It’s sort of like pushing fat through cheesecloth – where the skin isn’t being tethered down, the fat forms a dome and where the skin is tethered down, there’s a pitting effect.

Factors in the Development and Causes of Cellulite:

• skin tone

• fat accumulation

• structure of the skin

Women Have Different Bands

X-Shaped Bands

Fibrous bands bind the skin to deeper tissues such as fascia or muscle. In men, these bands run perpendicular to the skin. But in women, these fibers are crosses, like Xs. A good way to envision this is to picture a whole series of Xs under the skin. The part of the X that is attached to the skin traps fat. The fat can’t go anywhere, and pushes up on the skin. But those two little bands are tough and won’t stretch. They then pull the skin down and have a tufting effect on the skin and the fat.

Another way to look at this is there is a 23 day cycle of birth, growth and death that begins in the dermis (or lower layer of the skin). When new cells are born, they are round and filled with fluid. As they make their way toward the surface of the skin, they lose fluid, becoming more elongated and flat.

Once the cells reach the outer layer of the skin, they fall off as a result of washing, rubbing etc. Now as I mentioned above, the dermis consists of very elastic fibers.

Remember, they are shaped like Xs in women. These fibers give the skin resilience or bounce. Within these fibers are the glands which produce sebum, which is a fatty substance secreted from the sebaceous glands. Most of these glands open into hair follicles.

These glands also produce the body’s moisturizer, sweat glands, blood vessels, and nerve endings. Each of them is dependent on a healthy dermis functioning properly. When a build up of dead cells clogs the dermis and sweat becomes trapped beneath the skin this causes the accumulation of fat, thus bulging occurs beneath the skin.

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