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[ 46 ] • DAYSPA • may 2017 ripple effect Why Mainly Women? Cellulite forms when the fat in our tissue pushes or "herniates" through the inner layers of the skin. The migration of this fat results in numerous "pockets," held in place by thick, fi brous bands, which create lumps that are visible on the surface. Nature predisposes females to cellulite for three main reasons. The fi rst is their tissue structure . Although cellulite is unrelated to overall body weight, it does tend to appear in fl eshy areas such as the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and upper arms. "In women, these body parts have three layers of fat as opposed to one, so they're the most susceptible to cellulite formation," explains Flora Vergnolle, founder of Provence Cosmetics and Bioslimming. In men, the subcutaneous tissue is structured diff erently, so they're much less likely to be aff ected. The second reason centers around the ability of hormones to infl uence the rate and quantity of fat production. It's no coincidence that women fi rst develop cellulite after puberty. "Scientists postulate that the rapid deposition of fat during puberty leads to the herniation of fat through the skin," notes Jessie Cheung, M.D., a dermatologist based in Willowbrook, Illinois. Moreover, cellulite formation tends to peak around another major hormonal phase for women: menopause. Finally, genetics tend to determine whether a woman is going to have to tackle a predisposition to cellulite. After you explain all of this to your clients, they may respond, "Does this mean fi ghting cellulite is a lost cause?" Fortunately, the answer is no. Although we can't change our nature-given physiology, there are numerous factors that contribute to the appearance and eff ects of cellulite. These can be addressed with a combination of lifestyle changes and treatments. Contributing Factors Wellness practitioners cite a multitude of causes to explain variances in the visibility and severity of cellulite. Some are not surprising: an increase in fat cell size and amount , for instance. Katherine Tomasso, national director of education for Yon-Ka Paris, describes cellulite as a "connective tissue disorder that develops from excessive fat in the hypodermis, plus infl ammation." According to Vergnolle, new research does indeed point to infl ammation playing a role in the formation of cellulite. "Infl ammation in the body, over time, contributes to the breakdown of collagen," she says. Lack of exercise is another factor. "Inactivity and weight gain often make cellulite more noticeable," confi rms Fayne Frey, M.D., a West Nyack, New York-based dermatologist. Low physical activity is a problem for two reasons: One, it allows muscles to lose tone, resulting in slackened skin that "showcases" cellulite; and two, "long periods of sitting reduce blood fl ow and lead to poor lymphatic drainage ," says Rhonda Nesbitt, nurse and esthetician at Skin Boutique in Birmingham, Michigan. Melissa Morris, corporate educator for Pevonia, regards cellulite as a "toxic" body condition. "You must start at the source," she reminds. "If your body is not eliminating waste properly , it becomes stuck in the colon and carried into connective tissues." The lymphatic system plays an important role in removing cellular waste—lymph vessels work like the body's vacuum cleaner, therefore a lymph massage and regular body brushing can stimulate those vessels. Many wellness practitioners point to inadequate blood circulation as a likely contributor to cellulite because it occurs directly under the skin, an area that doesn't normally get a lot of circulation. This, says Vergnolle, sets up a chain reaction. "You get less oxygen and nutrition to those areas, and that causes a decrease in collagen production ," she explains. "At this point, fat cells become larger; they begin protruding through the collagen and become the bumpy fat known as cellulite." Without collagen fi bers to keep tissue structure fi rm, "fat cells escape from tightly packed groups, move to the skin's surface and enlarge to their full size," explains Elaine Kroytor, rejuvenation specialist at the âme Spa & Wellness Collective at Turnberry Isle Miami. Finally, there's the question of diet . Tomasso advises that clients cut down on dairy, high-fat products, refi ned and processed foods, as well as those containing sweeteners, additives and unnecessary chemicals. Susan Ciminelli, a Los Angeles-based holistic skincare and nutrition expert, recommends a diet high in potassium—found in dark leafy greens, white beans, yogurt, bananas and avocados—as well as liver-cleansing milk thistle and dandelion supplements. "A toxic liver leads to excessive cellulite," she explains. "Clients should minimize consumption of alcohol and manage stress to keep the liver functioning optimally." © GETTY IMAGES