Orange peel skin and cellulite: What methods does naturopathy know?

Many people perceive cellulite as an unsightly change in the skin's surface, although beauty is known to be in the eye of the beholder. Fortunately, cellulite has no health effects, so it can be purely a cosmetic issue. If you want to do something about your cellulite, we present treatments from conventional medicine and naturopathy here.

Cellulite is a dimpled change in the skin's surface. It usually appears in the area of the buttocks, thighs, and hips. These changes occur when fat cells located in the subcutaneous tissue press against the connective tissue above them. In the process, the fat cells can displace the fibers of the connective tissue, causing the fat cells to protrude to the surface. The fat then becomes visible in the form of small dimples on the thighs or hip and buttock area. Because of their appearance, cellulite is also called orange peel skin, as it can resemble the peel of an orange. Cellulite often appears after pregnancy.

Cellulite very rarely occurs in men, but between 80 and 90% of all women develop cellulite at some point in their lives. This is because men's connective tissue is mesh-like and firmer. In women, the connective tissue fibers run parallel, making them easier to displace. Cellulite also changes with the menstrual cycle because female sex hormones play a role.

You can quickly and easily check yourself for cellulite. Pinch the possibly affected skin areas together with your hands. If small grooves and wrinkles become noticeable, this is a sign of cellulite.

Cellulite can have different degrees of severity:

• Grade 0: The skin appears smooth and supple. Only when the skin areas are pinched together with the hands do grooves and wrinkles appear that resemble orange peel.
• Grade 1: The grooves and wrinkles are deeper than in Grade 0 but still only appear when the affected skin areas are pinched together.
• Grade 2: The skin appears smooth when lying down; the typical structures of cellulite become visible only when standing.
• Grade 3: Cellulite is visible both lying down and standing.

If you want to treat your cellulite, you should have a doctor confirm that it is indeed cellulite. Afterwards, doctors have various treatment methods available. As mentioned, cellulite has no negative health effects. Some women and men find cellulite unattractive purely for cosmetic reasons.

There are several treatment methods against cellulite in conventional medicine. However, these are not medically and clinically proven, so, for example, a review of the long-term effect is still pending. Doctors can perform the following treatments:

• Laser treatments
• Ultrasound therapies
• Vacuum therapies
• Connective tissue massages

It may be necessary to repeat the therapies at regular intervals. Long-term success of these treatment options still needs to be proven.

Naturopathic methods also lack clinical evidence. They are mostly recommended based on traditional use. Overall, there are four naturopathic treatment options:

Exercise could help to tighten the connective tissue and reduce fat cells. Cellulite consists of fat cells that press against the connective tissue and thus become visually noticeable. Endurance training in particular could help make cellulite less visible or possibly even disappear. Strength training could additionally make the skin appear healthier and smoother.

Contrast showers could help to train the blood vessels. We have written a guide to contrast showers, alternating between warm and cold water. Contrast showers could stimulate blood circulation and thus contribute to healthy skin.

In addition to contrast showers, mechanical stimulation such as massages or osteopathy can help. There are even special brushes against cellulite. Please note that there is no medical evidence for the benefits of these methods.

Increasingly, expensive creams and ointments against cellulite are being offered. It is known that their effects are very limited. It seems that creams cannot address the core problem of cellulite. Instead, they mainly help to smooth and tighten the skin, for example by moisturizing it. Special creams may make cellulite less visible, but the fat cells still press against the connective tissue.

Fat cells pressing against the connective tissue above cause cellulite. Therefore, weight loss or fat loss can help make cellulite less visible. It is important that you do not follow strict diets, as these often are not successful in the long term. Better are sustainable and manageable dietary changes that reduce fat and body weight over time. Drinking enough water is an integral part of such a healthy diet.

Please always keep in mind that cellulite can only be a visual problem. Some find cellulite attractive or simply do not notice it. So it is not worth worrying about cellulite. If you are bothered by your cellulite, you are welcome to pursue medical or naturopathic treatment. Otherwise, you can simply leave cellulite alone, as it has no negative health effects. Cellulite can also be beautiful! Self-love is most important.

Cellulite occurs when fat tissue presses on the connective tissue above it. This can cause depressions and elevations to become visible on the skin. Many women perceive cellulite as a problem because of its appearance, but it has no negative health consequences.

Orange peel skin is a synonym for cellulite. The folds and depressions of cellulite can resemble the peel of an orange, which is where this nickname comes from.

Cellulite develops when fat tissue exerts pressure on the connective tissue above it. This can cause the connective tissue fibers to be displaced, making the fat cells visible from the outside. This creates the typical skin appearance of cellulite.