Different Types of Cellulite

Babe, did you know what there are more than one type of cellulite? Mind blown, we know! In fact, there is 3 types of cellulite! Hopefully the following information we've put together will help you pinpoint what type you may have!

AQUEOUS CELLULITE

Water retention is the main cause of aqueous cellulite. Aqueous cellulite (from the Latin “aqua” which means “water”) is characterised by a problem of water evacuation which, as a result, stagnates in the tissues: as we generally know it this is called water retention. A result of poor venous and lymphatic circulation. The absorbed water is not properly eliminated and accumulates over time in the body causing swelling and oedema.

How aqueous cellulites affect the body?

Aqueous cellulite: poor lymphatic circulation

The lymphatic system is a vast network of vessels, parallel to the blood vessels, which plays a vital role in our body’s immune defence. On the one hand, it allows the circulation of immune cells, hormones and provides the nutrients and fats necessary for our body. On the other hand, during its passage, the lymph (lymphatic fluid) drains excess fluid from the tissues and cleans the cells of their waste products. Poor lymphatic circulation therefore leads to the tissues becoming clogged with water and toxins. The tissues swell and compress the lymphatic vessels. Gradually, the skin becomes deformed and dimpled.

 

Aqueous cellulite: poor venous circulation

Blood is expelled by the heart through the arteries and then returns to the heart by flowing through the veins. Venous circulation, like lymphatic circulation, has a dual role: it distributes nutrients and gases and, in the process, collects waste products.

If your venous circulation is poor your blood no longer drains toxins properly and may, for example, have difficulty in moving up to the functional organs. This is because vessels are compressed and the legs swell and varicose veins may appear. This aggravates water retention and accentuates the “cellulite” effect.

 

Location of watery cellulite

Aqueous cellulite is localised in particular on:

  • The inside of the arms;
  • The thighs;
  • The calves;
  • Around the ankles.

Aqueous cellulite often appears as a set of small raised bumps, the dimples. This aspect is associated with a suppleness of the skin, unlike fibrous cellulite where the skin hardens.

It is rather thin people who are most often affected by aqueous cellulite, accompanied by poor blood circulation. They can sometimes have varicose veins, swollen and pale limbs.

 

What are the solutions against aqueous cellulite?

To get rid of aqueous cellulite, we must tackle its main cause: water retention. Contrary to popular belief, in order to fight effectively against water retention, you need to drink more! It is advisable to drink at least 1.5 litres of water per day (prefer water with a reduced sodium content).

As for the diet, it can be adapted as follows:

  • Reduce salt consumption as much as possible: it retains water in the body.
  • Avoid fast sugars and industrial dishes: sugar increases insulin which favours water retention.
  • Favour diuretic fruits and vegetables (e.g. asparagus, grapes, pineapple, etc.).
  • Prefer whole starchy foods, vegetable oils and dried fruit.

For venous circulation problems related to water retention, it is important to consult a doctor or, preferably, an angiologist (specialist in venous circulation problems) for more direct information.

It is also possible to accelerate drainage through massage. Massages and sports will act on circulation problems, whether blood or lymphatic circulation. In the case of aqueous cellulite, especially with venous circulation problems, it is important to choose the right sport.

Sports that put pressure on the veins should be avoided:

  • Tennis;
  • Jogging;
  • Aerobics, etc.

The following are to be preferred:

  • Walking (brisk walking);
  • Cross-country skiing;
  • Cycling;
  • Swimming;
  • Aqua gym, aqua bike or lymphatic aqua drainage.

 

ADIPOSE CELLULITE

Has a direct link to being a fatty cellulite that typically affects people with an high fat percentage.

Adipose cellulite takes its name from the phenomenon called “adipose”. The main cause of adipose cellulite is an imbalance between the amount of fat ingested and the amount of fat expended.

When the body ingests more fat than it expends, these cells are hypertrophied (larger than normal volume) and multiply. This accumulation of fat in the fatty tissue prevents the circulation of toxins which, once trapped in the cells, create inflammation. It is because of this inflammation that the tissue takes on a bumpy appearance and forms orange peel skin on the surface.

Thus, it is not only the excess fat but also the accumulation of toxins that are responsible for adipose cellulite.

Adipose cellulite will tend to show on:

  • the abdomen
  • the thighs
  • buttocks and hips
  • the knees

How to determine if your cellulite is adipose? It is visible especially when you pinch yourself: dimpled areas form, but the skin remains supple, soft and painless.

In cases of adipose cellulite, a diet that is too rich: too fatty and too sweet (cakes, dishes with sauces, fatty meats, industrial dishes, sodas, etc.) are to be avoided, as well as anything that, in excess, is bad for a balanced diet.

In addition to diet, the problem is often linked to a life that is too sedentary. If you have an office job, for example, and you don’t exercise, fat cellulite soon sets in. It can occur as early as adolescence, at puberty, when the body undergoes a number of hormonal changes. The body no longer responds in the same way, expends less energy and stores fat more easily.

 

Solutions against adipose cellulite

To fight adipose cellulite, it is necessary to detoxify the body. By eliminating toxins, we reduce inflammation and thus, the dimpled skin disappears.

It is important to review your diet in case of adipose cellulite. Avoid fats as much as possible, especially cooked fats and saturated fatty acids, industrial dishes and sugar.

Favour fresh fruits and vegetables, lean fish, light dairy products and whole grains. Prefer foods rich in omega 3, for their anti-inflammatory action.

For more information and to find the diet you need, ask a dietician or naturopathic doctor for advice.

It is indeed recognised that endurance sports, known as “cardio”, are the most useful for melting stored fat, in particular:

  • cycling
  • swimming
  • walking
  • jogging
  • running
  • fitness.

For these activities to be effective, however, they must be practiced intensely and frequently.

Warning: if you have not done any sport for a long time and/or if you are overweight (this often tires the heart): you will need to have a medical check-up before starting any activity.

 

FIBROUS CELLULITE

Fibrous cellulite is also called fibrolipodystrophy cellulite. Fibrous cellulite is embedded cellulite. This type of cellulite has been present for a long time and is related to a distension of the skin. It is the most difficult and painful form of cellulite to dislodge. Fibrosis occurs when the collagen fibres surrounding the adipocytes have multiplied, thickened and, above all, stiffened and imprison the fat cells.

 

Fibrous cellulite is most often located on the thighs and in the buttocks.

Unlike aqueous cellulite or adipose cellulite, fibrous cellulite is painful when you touch it. The skin is hard and padded. Sometimes it can turn purplish.

Fibrous cellulite is mainly found in people who have had a sedentary professional activity for a long time and do not compensate for this lack of exercise by doing sports. In addition to the lack of physical exercise, an unbalanced and deficient diet can cause fibrous cellulite. It is found more often in women and more often during the menopause.

 

Solutions against Fibrous cellulite

To fight adipose cellulite, it is necessary to detoxify the body. By eliminating toxins, we reduce inflammation and thus, the dimpled skin disappears.

It is important to review your diet in case of adipose cellulite. Avoid fats as much as possible, especially cooked fats and saturated fatty acids, industrial dishes and sugar. Favour fresh fruits and vegetables, lean fish, light dairy products and whole grains. Prefer foods rich in omega 3, for their anti-inflammatory action. For more information and to find the diet you need, ask a dietician or naturopathic doctor for advice.

It is indeed recognised that endurance sports and weight lifting, are the most useful when combatting fibrous cellulite, in particular:

  • cycling
  • swimming
  • walking
  • jogging
  • running
  • fitness.

For these activities to be effective, however, they must be practiced intensely and frequently.

Warning: if you have not done any sport for a long time and/or if you are overweight (this often tires the heart): you will need to have a medical check-up before starting any activity.

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