From a visual point of view alone, cellulite is called orange-looking skin. Lay people would say that cellulite is something in the skin or under it. However, to fully understand the formation of cellulite, we need to look first at the structure of the skin.
Skin structure
The skin protects the body from harmful sun rays, from injuries and various infections. It is, so to speak, the largest body organ, intertwined with many veins and sweat glands. The skin regulates body temperature and prevents uncontrolled loss of body fluids, which would lead to dehydration of the body.
The skin has three basic layers:
- the epidermis is the outer thinnest layer,
- the dermis is the next, middle layer. It is intended to support and nourish the epidermis. It is formed by a thin layer of collagen fibers (at the top) and thicker and denser collagen fibers at the bottom. Elastic fibers are also present in the lower layer,
- the hypodermis is the lower layer of the skin. It is also made up of collagen fibers. It is also made from fat cells, which form surface body fat.
Where is cellulite located?
To understand the formation of cellulite, we need to know the composition of the subcutaneous tissue and keep in mind that there is a difference in male and female subcutaneous tissue. However, we will best understand the formation of cellulite if we know this, ie two different types of fiber distribution.
a) female subcutaneous tissue:
Collagen fibers are located at right angles to the dermis, they also form chambers.
b) male subcutaneous tissue:
Collagen fibers are arranged at an angle of 45 degrees (in both directions).
What happens in the ventricles when we gain weight?
Primarily, fat cells increase to the point that they fill the ventricles. In men, the pressure on the epidermis is fairly even, while in women the opposite is true. Fat cells press unevenly on the dermis and epidermis, making the skin look as if it is interspersed with pits. It's cellulite.
Updated definition of cellulite
This is the natural distribution of adipose and connective tissue in the female (rarely male) subcutaneous tissue, which can result in an orange appearance of the epidermis.
