Let’s talk cellulite. Yeah, you know those dimples that haunt you on the back of your legs, bum, tummy, and arms. What even is it and why does it bother me so much??
Ok let’s start with breaking down the basics. Cellulite occurs when fat deposits push through the connective tissue beneath the skin, causing the skin to appear uneven and bumpy. This happens for many people from all ages, ethnicities, genders, and size. As the skin has a collagen cycle so the connective tissues tighten or relaxes based on that cycle. When this happens, it gives the fat an opportunity to shimmy its way in there. Now before you start guzzling down collagen beverages or consuming stuff you probably shouldn’t…Remember THIS IS NORMAL.
Now let’s pause before I lose you to a deep google dive, I got some answers for you. Let’s go over the insides and outs of cellulite. To get those answers first we need to understand what it really is. Connective tissue plays a crucial role in the development of cellulite. To understand this connection, let’s dive into the structure of connective tissue and its relationship to the formation of cellulite. Connective tissue is a type of tissue found throughout the body that provides support, structure, and elasticity to various organs and structures. It consists of cells called fibroblasts and an extracellular matrix composed of collagen, elastin, and other proteins.
What Cellulite Really Is
In the case of cellulite, there are several key factors that come into play,
- Fibrous Septae: Connective tissue in the form of fibrous septae acts as partitions between fat compartments beneath the skin. In areas where cellulite occurs, these septae can become rigid and inflexible, causing them to pull downward on the skin. This tethering effect creates the characteristic dimples and uneven texture seen in cellulite.
- Adipose Tissue: Adipose tissue, or fat cells, also contribute to the development of cellulite. In areas affected by cellulite, the size and distribution of fat cells may change, leading to an increase in their protrusion into the connective tissue layer. This can further accentuate the dimpling effect.
- Blood and Lymphatic Circulation: Healthy blood and lymphatic circulation are essential for maintaining the integrity of connective tissue and preventing the accumulation of fluid and toxins. Poor circulation can contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers within the connective tissue, making it more susceptible to cellulite formation.
- Inflammation: Inflammatory processes within the connective tissue may also play a role in the development of cellulite. Chronic inflammation can lead to structural changes in the connective tissue and contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers.
It’s important to note that the exact mechanisms of cellulite formation are not fully understood, and multiple factors likely contribute to its development. While connective tissue changes are thought to be a significant factor, other factors such as hormonal influences and genetic predisposition are also believed to play a role. Understanding the involvement of connective tissue in cellulite has led to the development of various treatments targeting its improvement, such as massage techniques, laser therapy, radiofrequency, and other procedures that aim to release the fibrous septae and promote collagen remodeling. However, the efficacy of these treatments varies, and more research is needed to determine their long-term effects.
The Neuroscience Of Cellulite
Now that’s just the breakdown of what cellulite really is and what functions in our bodies effect how much cellulite we do or do not have. Ready for why it bothers you? If you are ready for a real mind-boggler, let me tell you about how neuroscience and cellulite connect.
The neuroscience of cellulite refers to the understanding of how the nervous system and the brain perceive and process the sensation of cellulite. While cellulite is primarily considered a structural issue involving fat deposits and connective tissue, the nervous system does play a role in how we perceive and interpret the sensation of cellulite.
The perception of cellulite is influenced by various factors, including sensory input, neural processing, and subjective interpretation. Here are a few key points,
- Sensory input: The skin contains sensory receptors that transmit signals to the brain, providing information about touch, pressure, temperature, and pain. The sensation of cellulite can be detected by these receptors, contributing to our awareness of the texture.
- Neural processing: Once the sensory input related to cellulite is received by the nervous system, it undergoes complex processing in the brain. Neural pathways are involved in transmitting and interpreting signals related to touch, texture, and the overall appearance of the skin. The brain integrates this information to generate a perception of cellulite.
- Body image perception: The brain plays a crucial role in our perception of body image, including how we perceive and evaluate the appearance of our skin. Body image perception is a complex interplay of sensory input, cognitive processes, emotions, and societal influences. The perception of cellulite can be influenced by these factors, leading to variations in how individuals perceive and feel about their cellulite.
- Emotional and psychological aspects: The presence of cellulite can have emotional and psychological impacts on individuals. The brain’s emotional centers, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, can be involved in processing the emotional response to the appearance of cellulite. Negative body image and self-esteem issues can also be associated with cellulite, which may involve neural mechanisms related to self-perception and social comparison.
Now let’s circle back around, remember at the beginning when I said that collagen plays an important role in tissue connectivity and that tissue connectivity is really what you’re seeing when you’re looking at cellulite. The presence of cellulite having emotional and psychological effect on one’s self-image, can be stressful and will be processed by the amygdala or pre-frontal cortex. Let’s focus in on that amygdala. When you are stressed out your body tends to go into fight or flight mode and one of the main hormones your body releases when it’s in fight or flight is cortisol. If you are stressing yourself out over your cellulite you could be raising your cortisol levels. Cortisol decreases collagen…Funny how the mind and body work together!
It is important to remember to take care of ourselves both inside and out. By taking into consideration how our body’s work we are able to both avoid and learn to cope with those parts of ourselves that we struggle with. Stay updated! To see our future blog posts to get in depth medical information explaining the inner and outer workings of your body!
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