What is cellulite ?
Cellulite is a common name for a clinical and aesthetic condition affecting almost 80% of woman and which appears near adolescence or adulthood. In cellulite, the connective tissue and the adipose tissue have various modifications and alterations. Lymphatic and blood vessels are also modified.
Cellulite is also characterized by alterations of the skin surface, giving the skin an orange peel or mattress appearance. This appearance has a very strong impact of woman’s quality of life and social relations (sport, sexual relations, …)
There are various classifications of cellulite.
Cellulite is a common skin alteration and a frequent treatment request coming mostly from women. The skin acquires an orange peel or mattress appearance. Adipose tissue, lymphatics, blood vessels undergo various modifications which lead to modifications of the connective tissue called fibrosclerosis.
We can distinguish 4 stages in cellulite :
- Modification of the precapillary arteriolar sphincter with modification of the permeability of vessels. Water is not kept anymore into the vessel leading to transudation and then oedema.
- Chronic oedema is changing the natural metabolism. The reticular network is modified.
- Reorganization of the connective tissue and fat cells with re-orientation of collagen fibers around adipocytes forming nodules.
- Union of nodules leading to sclerosis.
The skin surface modifications are due to connective tissue fibrosis. As cellulite occurs mainly in women, the evidence suggests that oestogen may play a role. The main area where cellulite is located are:
- Buttocks
- Tights
- Flanks
- Abdomen
- upper part of the legs
Cellulite lesions are normally asymptomatic with no pain. In advance degrees some pain of sensation of weight might appear.