What exactly is cellulite anyway? It's actually just a fancy name for collections of fat that push up against the connective tissue beneath your skin.
This causes the surface of your skin to dimple or pucker.
This condition is sometimes called Orange Peel Syndrome because it resembles the skin of an orange peel.
So what causes cellulite? It's not really quite understood, but many theories have been developed and put forth as explanations.
The factors that can cause cellulite can be due to a number of things.
GENETICS You can inherit cellulite as certain genes are required for the development of cellulite.
If your mother or grandmother was affected with cellulite, there's a good chance you will be too.
Genes can predispose us to certain characteristics that are associated with cellulite.
This can be due to race, gender, weak veins, slow metabolism and poor circulation.
HORMONES It's not yet fully understood how, but the two female hormones estrogen and progesterone can stimulate cellulite development.
Estrogen determines the number and location of fat cells in your body and encourages fat cells to develop and grow around your breasts, thighs and buttocks.
Progesterone can cause fluid retention, weak veins and weight gain.
PREGNANCY When you are pregnant, your body is going through drastic changes and this can often lead to cellulite.
During pregnancy, you have an increase in fluid retention and a surge of hormones.
These hormones can weaken connective tissues, including the ones in the walls of your veins and lymphatic vessels.
When your growing womb presses on the veins and lymph vessels, this can cause decreased circulation and lymph drainage.
INACTIVE LIFESTYLE When you lead an inactive or sedentary lifestyle, it can dramatically affect your blood circulation as well as your venous and lymphatic systems.
Your veins and lymph vessels depend on muscle contractions to function properly.
Without movement, the blood and fluid in your veins and lymph vessels will stretch out.
Overstretched veins and vessels can cause fluid retention, leaking and poor circulation.
When you are inactive, it can also lead to weight gain which can make cellulite worse.
MEDICATION Certain medications can trigger hormonal changes in your body which can speed up the accumulation of fat in your body.
Medications that can cause cellulite development are birth control pills, diet pills and sleeping pills.
You should check with your doctor before taking any of these medications, especially if there is a history of cellulite in your family.
SMOKING This habit is destructive to your health in so many ways.
If you smoke, try to make an effort to quit.
Not only does it affect your lungs and heart, which can lead to cancer and other diseases, it also damages and weakens your skin.
This can cause dimpling of your skin that's associated with cellulite.
There are many factors that can cause cellulite.
Some of these things you can't change, like genetics.
But you can make a difference by leading a healthier lifestyle by exercising, not smoking and eating a balanced diet.
These are the things that can effectively remove your cellulite.