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Getting to the bottom of cellulite E-mail
Written by Avril Horan   
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
We all have it; orange peel skin otherwise known as cellulite. In fact, if you have lumpy, bumpy thighs then take comfort; at least 85 per cent of women develop cellulite, mostly on the hips, buttocks and thighs. And this stubborn kind of fat is very politically correct; it doesn’t seem to matter whether you are fat or thin, cellulite sticks to us all. What is cellulite?
Cellulite occurs due to the arrangement of collagen fibres in the skin. In women, the fibres are arranged in a honeycomb pattern, with fat stored in each of the chambers. When these chambers get too full, the contents bulge against the skin, giving it a quilted look. The skin loses its elasticity and firmness allowing fluids and fat deposits into the lower layers of the skin. It ends up mostly on bums and thighs, as this is where fat accumulates, but is not attributed to being overweight.

Is it hereditary?
Cellulite is influenced by several factors, including your genes, gender, the amount of fat on your body and the thickness of your skin. For example, thinner skin and excess body fat makes cellulite more visible.

Do men get cellulite?
Men, of course, rarely suffer from orange peel skin. They don't usually have a problem with cellulite because their fat cells are shaped differently and fat is stored differently. Their skin is thicker and their collagen fibres are arranged in a different way. The fibres are arranged in a horizontal criss-cross pattern that holds fat firmly in check rather than letting it press against the skin. However, some men may develop cellulite on their neck or stomach.

What can I do about it?
Losing fat through exercise and a low fat diet can reduce the appearance of cellulite and make dimpling less pronounced. While losing weight may reduce body fat, it does not correct or eliminate cellulite. Even very slim women can have cellulite on their thighs, buttocks and hips.
Most of us dip in and out of our exercise routine and only sheer dedication will shift some of the unsightly lumps and bumps. However, there are alternatives out there and it’s a matter of finding out what works for you. If you don't take action against cellulite, it will get worse over time, especially as the skin continues to lose its firmness and elasticity.


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