What Causes Cellulite? 10 Causes of Cellulite Explained

When summer comes, many of us are reminded that underneath those jeans, the skin is not as smooth as we would like it to be. This is, of course, thanks to cellulite, which makes our skin look lumpy, dimply or puckered.

This article lists and explains the common causes of cellulite and provides tips on reducing the appearance of this unappealing feature.

Causes of cellulite explained

What Is Cellulite?

Cellulite is a cosmetic skin condition that manifests as lumps or dimples on the skin’s surface. It affects as many as 9 out of 10 women and usually appears on body areas with the most fat deposits - the thighs, buttocks, hips, and belly.

Fat cells are surrounded by fibrous tissue, which connects the skin to the underlying muscles. When fat cells expand, the fibrous tissue bands pull down on the skin, making the surface of the skin appear uneven. This condition is called cellulite.  

Cellulite doesn’t only affect overweight people. Weight gain and fat accumulation worsen the appearance of dimpled skin, but fat isn’t the primary cause of cellulite.

10 Causes of Cellulite

Scientists don’t clearly understand what causes cellulite, but they have several plausible theories based on existing studies. They agree that some factors are biological, making it more challenging to combat the condition. Others are lifestyle factors that require a change in habits.

1. Genetics

Genes may play a key role in cellulite formation. Scientists have identified the genes that contribute to this process, but they still know little about their mechanisms. Data shows that people with family members who have cellulite are more prone to develop it.

2. Hormones

The female hormone estrogen plays a significant role in cellulite development because it prompts the body to store fat on the thighs, hips, and buttocks in preparation for childbearing. Women typically develop cellulite during high-estrogen periods like puberty, pregnancy, and periods of using birth-control pills.

Cellulite also appears in menopause, when estrogen levels decline, because a drop in estrogen causes a reduction in collagen and elastin, a decrease in muscular tone, and impaired microcirculation.

3. Skin Structure

The difference in skin structure between men and women is another factor that makes cellulite a predominantly female problem. Women’s fibrous connective tissue bands are positioned vertically, pulling the skin down when fat cells expand, while men’s connective bands have a crisscross or lattice structure, allowing fat deposits to expand sideways without protruding into the skin. Men also have thicker skin layers than women, which additionally masks cellulite.

Note: Learn how coffee scrub for cellulite works, and how can it help reduce its appearance.

4. Aging

Aging causes a decline in the synthesis of collagen and elastin synthesis. This leads to weaker connective tissue, causes the skin to become loose and thin skin, and makes cellulite more apparent.

5. Static Lifestyle

Jobs that require sitting or standing during long hours and a lifestyle that involves little physical activity, lead to fat accumulation, water retention, loose skin – and cellulite.

To lower the risk of cellulite, introduce at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Also, get up from your desk at least four or five times during work, take short walks, or do light exercises to flex the muscles.

Exercise improves circulation, reduces fat, and improves muscle tone, reducing the appearance of orange-peel skin.

6. Unhealthy Eating Habits

Excessive intake of refined sugars, trans fats, processed, and high-sodium foods is linked to metabolic disorders that increase the likelihood of cellulite formation.

Unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats help the skin stay supple, reduce inflammation, and prevent fat accumulation. All of this lessens the appearance of cellulite.

7. Low Water Intake

Not drinking enough water makes it difficult to metabolize toxins in fat cells and weakens the skin, impacting the appearance of cellulite.

Health experts recommend drinking at least eight glasses of water for general well-being. The benefits of staying well hydrated include less water retention, maintaining strong connective tissue, and reducing cellulite.

8. Poor Skin and Connective Tissue Health

Collagen is the skin’s main building block. Loss of collagen results in stiffer connective tissue bands, weaker muscles, sagging skin, and more prominent cellulite dimples.

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is the best way to maintain healthy skin and connective tissue. They include a water- and fiber-rich diet, no alcohol, daily exercise, and comprehensive skin care.

Note: Read our ultimate skin care guide for every skin type.

Sun exposure is the most detrimental factor to our skin’s health. To prevent skin and connective tissue damage and maintain smooth skin, use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen outdoors.

Note: Learn how to choose a sunscreen that is right for you.

9. Alcohol

Alcohol worsens the appearance of cellulite in many ways. It causes dehydration, water retention and constricts blood vessels, resulting in reduced blood flow and excess fat accumulation.

Drink alcohol in moderation. This lifestyle change will not only reduce cellulite but also improve your overall health.

10. Smoking

Studies show that a predisposition towards developing cellulite is aggravated by smoking. Like alcohol, cigarettes reduce blood vessel flow, decreasing collagen production and damaging the connective tissue.

Besides cellulite and skin quality, smoking worsens many health conditions and creates new ones. That is why medical professionals universally recommend quitting cigarettes altogether.

Conclusion

Cellulite is harmless and affects the majority of women. Nevertheless, it makes people self-conscious about their looks.

Learning what causes cellulite can help you adopt a healthier lifestyle and avoid factors that exacerbate the condition. The good news is that there are also other ways to combat this less than attractive condition. 

We at Vibrant Skin Bar are proud to be able to offer the only FDA-approved anti-cellulite injectable. Treat yourself to a QWO anti-cellulite treatment and get rid of that pesky orange peel look.

Coffee Scrub for Cellulite

Body scrubs can significantly soften the skin and diminish skin aging signs. Adding special ingredients to basic body scrub ingredients can help target specific skin issues. For example, body scrubs with coffee grounds are particularly helpful in combating cellulite.

This article explains how coffee scrubs for cellulite work, which ingredients aid in the process, and how often to use the product to achieve desired results.

Coffee scrub for cellulite

Do Coffee Scrubs Get Rid of Cellulite?

Coffee scrubs can’t get rid of cellulite, but they can help reduce the appearance of cellulite with regular use. When you massage the skin affected by cellulite with a body scrub, you remove dead skin cells and impurities from the surface, enabling the active components of the scrub to penetrate into deeper skin layers.

Coffee helps reduce the appearance of cellulite in three ways.

Some coffee scrubs include other ingredients that assist in cellulite reduction. For example, Vibrant Skin Bar’s cinnamon coffee scrub for cellulite uses cinnamon to intensify the antioxidant effects of the product, sugar for extra exfoliation, and three different oils to hydrate the skin. Aloe, jojoba, and avocado oils in the product plump up the skin, making cellulite less visible.

Cinnamon coffee body scrub by Vibrant Skin Bar

How to Use a Coffee Scrub for Cellulite?

Some DIY products with coffee grounds are used on clean, dry skin. The coffee scrub by Vibrant Skin Bar is applied during the shower on wet skin.

The application is generally the same for all coffee scrub products. Apply a handful of the paste onto the skin affected by cellulite – usually thighs or buttocks – and massage the area gently using a circular motion. Follow the instructions on the product label on how long to massage the skin. If you are using a DIY coffee paste, scrub it for about two minutes.

After scrubbing, rinse the product with lukewarm water. If you are using a DIY coffee scrub on dry skin, remove the scrub residue with a wet towel.

You can also use a cloth or dry brush during the procedure to scrub your skin and further stimulate blood flow. It’s best to use it before the coffee scrub to prevent oils from the coffee scrub to get in the dry brush.  

Note: For more details read our article and find out how to use a body scrub correctly.

How Often Should You Use It?

Skin experts recommend using body scrubs at least once a week.

Coffee scrubs for cellulite should be used more often for faster results. They are safe to use every time you shower.

Note: Find out what are the body scrub benefits and what type of scrub is best for your skin.

How Long Do the Results Last?

The effects of a coffee scrub for cellulite are temporary. The treated area appears smoother and firmer after each scrubbing, but it will return to its previous state when you stop using the product.

Frequent use of coffee scrubs combined with regular exercise and a balanced diet can help you keep your cellulite in check.

Note: Learn how innovative QWO injections help remove cellulite.

Conclusion

Cellulite is one of the main beauty concerns of many women. It is difficult to get rid of and often leads to lower self-esteem. Knowing what causes cellulite might help with getting rid of it easier.

One of the ways in fighting cellulite is using a coffee scrub - a quick and inexpensive way to improve the skin’s texture and making it less noticeable. With the summer approaching, now is the perfect time to try it out.

Check out our list of DIY cellulite scrubs as well!

QWO Cellulite Injections – Everything You Need to Know

Most women, regardless of their age, size, or ethnicity, suffer from cellulite. Scientists still don’t know what causes it, and there is no treatment that fully and permanently gets rid of this so-called “orange peel” skin.

Luckily, a new, ground-breaking injectable treatment for cellulite, called QWO, is coming to medical salons across the United States this year.

Here, we break down all you need to know about QWO cellulite injections.

QWO cellulite injections

What Are QWO Cellulite Injectables?

QWO is the first injectable anti-cellulite treatment that reduces the appearance of “dimples” on the skin. It’s a prescription medication for treating moderate-to-severe cellulite. After successful results from clinical trials, the FDA approved QWO injectables for the treatment of cellulite on the buttocks. Approval for treating leg cellulite with QWO is still pending.

Who Makes QWO?

The first approved anti-cellulite injectable for the buttocks is made by the pharmaceutical company Endo International. The product’s brand name is QWO. The FDA approved it in the summer of 2020. The product is now distributed to medical salons across the United States and is available to the public.

QWO vs. Other Available Cellulite Treatments

QWO is the first injectable that attacks cellulite, but there are other available treatments for cellulite reduction. Let’s see how they compare to QWO.

QWO vs. Cellfina

Cellfina is a subcision method that uses needles to cut the collagen bands (called fibrous septae) underneath the skin that pull the skin down and cause cellulite dimples. QWO uses enzymes to break down fibrous septae. Cellfina sessions last longer than QWO and may require a few days of recovery time. The effects of both Cellfina and QWO are long-lasting.

QWO vs. Cellulaze

Cellulaze is an anti-cellulite treatment that uses a laser to cut the collagen bands underneath the skin, while QWO disrupts collagen bands using enzymes. Cellulaze treats mild-to-moderate cellulite, while QWO is intended for severe cellulite.

QWO vs. CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting primarily targets fat underneath the skin. It freezes fat cells, contours the body, and improves the appearance of cellulite dimples. QWO targets the fibrous septae responsible for the appearance of cellulite dimples on the skin and is used solely for treating cellulite.

QWO vs. Manual Anti-Cellulite Massage

Anti-cellulite massage requires numerous sessions. Each session lasts longer than a QWO session, and the results are temporary. QWO is a quick, long-lasting solution to cellulite.

QWO vs. Mechanical Anti-Cellulite Massage

Mechanical devices like foam rollers and Endermologie roll the skin to break up the fat and reduce cellulite. The effects of mechanical anti-cellulite massage are temporary, while QWO provides long-lasting results.

QWO vs. Radiofrequency (RF)

Radiofrequency uses heat to destroy fat deposits underneath the skin and induce new collagen production. QWO targets collagen bands that cause the appearance of cellulite.  Radiofrequency is effective for skin tightening and decreasing cellulite, but its results are short-lived and it’s not as effective as QWO.

How Does QWO Work?

The QWO injection’s main ingredient is an enzyme called collagenase, derived from the bacteria Clostridium. It breaks down collagen bands called fibrous septae that connect the skin to the underlying muscle. The injections are administered directly into the cellulite-affected buttocks. QWO also stimulates the production of new collagen, making the skin look smoother.

Everything About the QWO Cellulite Treatment

The QWO cellulite injectable is a new cellulite treatment, but clinical trials for this product included more women than any other FDA-approved cellulite treatment trial to date. There is a lot of information about how the treatment works, potential risks and side-effects, and how long the results last.

The QWO Procedure

QWO comes in a vial filled with the enzyme collagenase Clostridium histolyticum-aaes in powder form. The powder is diluted with a diluent, and the solution is then injected directly into cellulite dimples on the buttocks. Depending on the number of dimples, each buttock area may receive up to 12 injections and each contains 0.3 ml of the solution. The solution is odorless and waterlike. No anesthesia is required for the procedure.

Patients need to book a consultation prior to the procedure to discuss their eligibility. There are some counterindications for the procedure, such as allergic reactions to QWO ingredients, bleeding abnormalities, pregnancy, and certain medications.

One QWO treatment typically treats both buttocks. A medical professional determines the number of necessary treatments based on the severity of the patient’s cellulite. Women in clinical trials received three treatments spaced out over 21 days. One treatment lasts about 10 minutes.

Most patients experience bruising as a normal part of the process, which may last up to a few weeks.

QWO Post-Procedure Recovery

There is no downtime after QWO. The patient can go back to their daily activities after the procedure. However, most patients experience bruising and swelling at the injection site, which may last up to a few weeks. Hence, it is not recommended to undergo the QWO treatment right before going to the beach.

When Can You See the Effects of QWO?

The first visible signs of cellulite reduction after a QWO treatment may appear a few weeks after the first procedure. In clinical trials, the full effects were evaluated 28 days after the final treatment.

How Long Does the Effect of QWO Last?

Since QWO is a new procedure, the exact longevity of the results is still unknown. However, doctors involved in QWO clinical investigations speculate that the results last for several years.

Is QWO Safe?

Clinical investigations show that QWO is safe for use on women without counterindications. Since this is a prescription medication, it can only be administered by a healthcare provider in appropriate facilities, such as clinics and medical spas. Medical experts carefully review every patient’s cellulite condition and needs in order to minimize any potential risks and side-effects.

How Much Does QWO cost?

Since the number of treatments depends on the number of cellulite dimples, the price of the QWO treatment will vary. Book a consultation with your chosen medical practitioner to determine the severity of your buttock cellulite and how many treatments you’ll need.

Conclusion

Cellulite affects almost all women after puberty. Scientists are still unsure about what causes cellulite, but they know that fibrous septae are the main factor contributing to cellulite formation.

Today, we have a ground-breaking new treatment, QWO, that targets fibrous septae. It’s the first injectable cellulite treatment. Clinical trials show great promise in reducing cellulite using QWO. The best part is, the treatment provides long-lasting results.

The First Anti-Cellulite Injectable Available at Vibrant Skin Bar This Spring!

Exciting news! The FDA recently approved the first anti-cellulite injectable, QWO, and Vibrant Skin Bar is among the first medical spas to offer it to their clients this spring.

Nine out of ten women in the U.S. have cellulite, and many are bothered by this condition a great deal. It can affect how we view our body, how we dress and behave, and shake our self-esteem.

QWO is the first cellulite injectable for moderate to severe cellulite on the buttocks

What Is Cellulite?

Cellulite affects women of all ages and sizes. Scientists are uncertain about what causes cellulite, but since it mostly affects women, they speculate that it is linked to estrogen production.

The new findings show that the main contributing factors in forming cellulite are fibrous connective tissue that connects the skin to the underlying muscle and fat deposits that are pushed against the skin by this fibrous tissue. That’s how “dimples” or “orange peel skin” form.

Treatments for Cellulite

Until now, there haven’t been fully successful, permanent treatments for cellulite. Mechanical subcision usually gives decent results, but patients are reluctant to undergo the surgery. There are also less invasive procedures such as laser and needle-based treatments, but they don’t always give the results the patients hope for.

Hence, there is a high-degree interest in a minimally invasive treatment that will give better results.

What is QWO?

QWO is a ground-breaking cellulite injectable that smooths cellulite on the buttocks with enzymatic subcision and remodeling. The solution is made from collagenase Clostridium histolyticum-aaes and targets collagen type 1, collagen type 3 and the fibrous septi. QWO is injected directly into the cellulite on the buttocks to reduce the appearance of cellulite “dimples”. The treatment shows great promise because it smooths moderate and severe, difficult-to-treat cellulite. It is minimally invasive with little downtime after the procedure.

What Can You Expect from QWO?

Though this anti-cellulite treatment is new, the clinical trials show significant reduction in the appearance of cellulite on the buttocks. This treatment is done in a series of 3, administered in intervals of three weeks. The number of dimples determines the amount of QWO that is needed to achieve optimal results. During your personalized consultation your practitioner will identify if a moderate 4mL or intensive 8mL treatment is required.

The good news is that it effectively treats severe cellulite!

Potential side-effects are mild to moderate and appear at the site of injection: swelling, bruising, redness, itching.

Are You Eligible for the Anti-Cellulite Injectable?

To effectively treat cellulite, we invite you to a consultation with our skilled medical personnel who have years of experience in aesthetic medicine. We will diagnose your cellulite type and check whether you have any condition that may prevent you from receiving the anti-cellulite injection. Notify us if:

Let’s beat that persistent cellulite together!

Book a consultation