Cellulite describes a condition that occurs in men and women where the skin of the lower limbs, abdomen, and pelvic region becomes dimpled. Descriptive names and synonyms include: orange peel syndrome, adiposis edematosa, dermopanniculosis deformans and gynoid lipodystrophy. Practically all post-pubescent females display some degree of cellulite and is not related to being overweight; average and underweight people also get cellulite. The causes are poorly understood, and several changes in metabolism and physiology may cause cellulite or contribute to cellulite. Among these are a disorder of water metabolism, abnormal hyperpolymerization of the connective tissue, and chronic venous insufficiency. Also the diet and lifestyle have been shown to affect the development and amount of cellulite. Excessive amounts of fat, carbohydrates, salt, alcohol or too little fibre, lack of exercise and sitting or standing in a single position of long periods can all contribute to an increased cellulite.
Cellulite has four degree of severity:
Grade 1, no clinical symptoms, but histopathology detects underlying anatomical changes.
Grade 2, the skin shows pallor, lower temperature, and decreased elasticity after compression or muscular contraction. There is no visible "orange peel" roughness to the skin. Additional anatomical changes are detected by histopathology.
Grade 3, visible "orange peel" roughness to the skin is visible at rest. This is the "canonical" grade of cellulite. Thin granulations in the deep levels of the skin can be detected by palpitation.
Grade 4, all Grade 3 symptoms are present, with more visible, palpable, and painful lumps present which adhere to deep structures in the skin. The skin has a noticeable dimpled, wavy appearance.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.