Help, I have dimples on my legs! Is this cellulite?

Dimples in legs, buttocks and arms

Dimples in the (upper) legs, buttocks and sometimes even arms are a common nuisance in women. We also call this cellulite or orange peel. What is it, and how can you treat it?

How does cellulite develop?

There are several causes for the development of cellulite. One of the main causes is the hormone oestrogen. This is also one of the reasons why cellulite mainly occurs in women. I will explain more about this later.

In addition, heredity also plays a role in the appearance of cellulite. If people in your immediate family suffer from cellulite, there is a very good chance that you will too.

Not only a genetic predisposition but also your lifestyle has a great influence on the appearance of cellulite. A balanced diet and exercise are very important. Excessive fat and salt intake, and insufficient vitamins and fibre can lead to an increased risk of cellulite.

Cellulite can occur in three stages:

  1. Mild cellulite: Only when you pinch the skin do you see irregularities appear
  2. Moderate cellulite: When you tighten your muscles, you see the bumpy skin appear (often clearly visible on the thighs and buttocks)
  3. Severe cellulite: without tightening muscles, orange peel skin is already clearly visible and stretch marks are also often present on that part of the body.
sinaasappel

Cellulite is also called orange peel skin

Why do men suffer less from cellulite?

cellulite pits in legs
Why men suffer less from cellulite comes from the following. In the skin we have collagen fibres and fat glands that provide the smooth structure of our skin. Women have 34% fewer collagen fibres and 56% larger fat glands in the deeper skin layers compared to men. What does this mean? This can be clearly seen in the picture on the right.

The collagen bonds in men lie in a grid pattern, while in women they lie straight. This also means that the fat glands are much larger than in men.

The upper layers of the skin (the epidermis and the dermis) lean on the part of the skin that we call the ‘hypodermis’, where the collagen bonds and fat glands are located.

Women have the disadvantage that the supporting pillars of our skin are located vertically in this layer of skin, which can cause the tissue between the ‘supporting pillars’ to collapse. The sagging of the skin results in the dents that we see and call cellulite, or orange peel. The grid pattern in men ensures that the skin has much less chance of collapsing and therefore showing dimples. Unfair, isn’t it?

Apple and pear

When it comes to cellulite, we often see that it can occur in two types of areas of the body. This is also called android (apple-shaped) and genoid (pear-shaped) cellulite.

In android cellulite, apple-shaped, the cellulite and uneven fat distribution is mainly formed on the abdomen, waist and hip area. These people then have slimmer legs than their torso. In genoid cellulite, or pear-shaped, the cellulite is located on the thighs and hips. We also often see genoidal cellulite in lipoedemic patients. This target group often also has sturdier thighs and hips compared to the upper body. It is important for the therapists to determine whether you have more of an android or genoid cellulite, in order to determine which body parts to focus on during treatment.

Treating dimples in the legs

There are fortunately ways to prevent or treat orange peel skin.
Of course, prevention is more important. It is important to watch your diet and consume the right nutrients. Do you find that you have trouble doing this or don’t know what suits your body? Once a month, we have a dietician in the practice who can help you with this. Click here to request a consultation with the dietician.

Is this blog too late to prevent cellulite, and do you already suffer from it?  Then maybe we can be the solution for you. Endermotherapy allows us to reactivate the connective tissue layer.Do you want to know exactly what endermotherapy is? Then read about it in this blog.

Endermotherapy LPG device

Endermotherapy using the LPG device

By sucking up and rolling out the skin, the collagen fibres are reactivated, and the fat cells are better distributed in the skin layer. As a result, there are fewer ‘pit-formations’ visible on the skin.

How well the skin responds to endermotherapy treatment depends on the severity of the cellulite. It should also be noted that the path to smoother skin takes time and is therefore a real investment in yourself.
Endermotherapy treatments are painless and are even often regarded as enjoyable. In order to achieve the best results, you will undergo treatment several times a week during the first period, after which the frequency will gradually decrease. However, it is important to continue maintenance treatment once in a while. As a result, your collagen cells will not forget and lose their ability to support your upper skin layers properly, to prevent the dimpling.

Results of cellulite treatment

What can you expect from a cellulite treatment? If you follow the therapist’s advice, pay attention to your diet, and exercise regularly, you will see that you get the best results. After only 15 treatments, you may already have smoother skin, which has significantly fewer dimples and feels better. You will notice that the skin feels tighter and that you yourself will feel more comfortable in your skin.

Photographs taken at the beginning, during and at the end of the process will reveal how cellulite improves with time.Are you interested in a treatment for your orange peel skin and do you want to know if endermotherapy is right for you? Then please book a consultation to discuss your options.

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