What is sclerotic cellulite?
Cellulite, or more precisely edematous-fibro-sclerotic panniculopathy, is a degenerative alteration of the connective tissue, formed by the stagnation of fluids of lymphatic or circulatory origin. These fluids mix with elastin and collagen fibers, assuming a geloid nature, to the point of forming fibrous nodules that are painful to the touch.
Sclerotic cellulite is the final stage, essentially irreversible, of cellulite. With sclerotic cellulite, the blemishes of orange peel skin, such as flaccid skin and dimples on the legs, thighs, buttocks, belly or arms will be clearly visible, regardless of the lights, the position assumed or whether we press the skin or not. Fortunately, the process to reach the final stage of cellulite is rather slow and can be prevented thanks to diet, a healthy lifestyle, massages and the use of specific anti-cellulite cosmetic products.
Symptoms and causes of sclerotic cellulite
Sclerotic cellulite can be assimilated to a real disease of the adipose tissue and subcutaneous tissue, which goes well beyond the aesthetic problem. The signs and symptoms of sclerotic cellulite are the following:
- Macro nodules of cellulite that press on nerve endings causing pain at the slightest touch;
- Flaccid and toneless skin;
- Skin defined as “orange peel” or “mattress” clearly visible, even without compression, changes in position (it is still visible whether you are standing or lying down) and regardless of the incidence of light on the parts affected by the blemish;
- Bruises may appear, a symptom of circulatory defects;
- Venous insufficiency, lymphatic insufficiency, tissue edema (water retention);
- Pain to touch;
- Cold skin;
- Skin discolorations.
The causes of sclerotic cellulite must be sought in less serious cellulite (the blemish can appear as early as adolescence) that is not treated promptly.
At what stage is sclerotic cellulite?
Sclerotic cellulite represents the last stage, the fourth, of cellulite. In fact, before arriving at sclerotic cellulite, the only one that is really difficult to fight, the evolution of the blemish will follow, with a certain graduality, four different stages:
- Stage 1, edematous cellulite: It is the cellulite of very young women, of those who are very lucky or who manage to manage the blemish before it begins to show obvious signs. The orange peel skin is only slightly noticeable and is only visible if you press the skin or tense the muscle. The skin may feel cold to the touch and water retention is mild. Stage 1 is completely reversible;
- Stage 2, fibrous cellulite: the stagnation of liquids becomes more consistent and small nodules of adipocytes, collagen and elastin fibers begin to form in reaction to the stagnation of liquids and toxins in the interstitial spaces, while the skin tissue begins to lose tone and elasticity. Orange peel skin begins to show more evident signs and the areas affected by cellulite may be painful to the touch and colder than the nearby areas due to the inflammation of the tissues themselves and the compression of the nerve endings. Stage 2 of cellulite is still reversible;
- Stage 3, soft sclerotic cellulitis: Cellulite nodules are larger and more painful to the touch, the skin is even more flaccid and lacking in tone than in the previous stage. Symptoms of poor blood and lymph circulation, such as bruises and fragile capillaries, become evident. However, stage 3 of cellulite is also reversible;
- Stage 4, sclerotic cellulite: Sclerotic cellulite is the culmination of the progressive alteration of connective and adipose tissue, with hard and increasingly larger cellulite nodules and a worsening of all the symptoms seen in the previous stages. Stage 4 of cellulite is the only one that is almost irreversible and can only be cured with targeted medical treatments.
How to prevent and treat sclerotic cellulite
Cellulite is an all (or almost) female problem due to estrogens that make the walls of blood and lymph vessels more permeable and therefore more likely to pour liquids into the interstitial spaces of fat cells with all the consequences observed so far, in a crescendo of severity that leads - if not treated - to sclerotic cellulite. Then there are hereditary factors. Look at your mother and/or grandmother: do they have cellulite, perhaps sclerotic? If your answer is yes, don't waste another minute even if you are very young and your cellulite is barely noticeable. In fact, it is estimated that already during adolescence liquids begin to infiltrate the tissues, especially if the right rules of life are not followed.
If, in addition to a family predisposition, we add poor diet, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight and stress, it is unlikely that you will be spared from the skin blemish most hated by women. Even if you are no longer 20 and you recognize yourself in one of the stages preceding sclerotic cellulite, it is never too late to free yourself from cellulite forever.
Here's how to treat cellulite and prevent sclerotic cellulite:
- Healthy and balanced diet: the well-being of the whole body starts from within. The anti-cellulite diet must include healthy foods such as: fruit and vegetables, fish, white meat, whole grains, legumes, spices and extra virgin olive oil for seasoning. Avoid fried foods, sweets, bread and pasta made with refined flour, pre-packaged products, excess sodium and sugar;
- Drink plenty of water: at least 1.5 litres a day;
- Draining herbal teas: if you love herbal teas, choose those with a draining and anti-cellulite action such as: dandelion, couch grass, nettle, green tea. They will also contribute to the intake of more liquids;
- Fight constipation: eat foods rich in fiber and drink lots of water;
- No to smoking: cigarette smoking worsens lymphatic and blood circulation, contributing to the worsening of cellulite;
- Say no to a sedentary lifestyle: even if you work all day on the PC, try to get up and walk around the room for at least 5 minutes every hour to reactivate the microcirculation;
- Don't stay in a static position: standing for too long without moving also prevents venous return. Whenever possible, always take a few steps or go up and down on tiptoe;
- Don't cross your legs: this bad habit can make cellulite worse because the compression on the tissues prevents proper lymphatic and blood circulation;
- Say no to clothes that are too tight and shoes with 12 cm heels: unless you are invited to a gala dinner, avoid subjecting your body to unnecessary torture that promotes cellulite by wearing all day clothes that are too tight and compressive and shoes that are too high and impede venous return;
- Do low-impact sports: the best sports to prevent sclerotic cellulite are swimming and fast walking;
- Do cosmetic treatments at home: mud, bandages, gels, creams and anti-cellulite oils are excellent home solutions to combat water retention and reactivate blood microcirculation. Muds, like cold mud of FMG04, will help you drain toxins and excess fluids from tissues affected by cellulite with an immediate deflating effect. creams and anti-cellulite oils, thanks to their active ingredients and the power of self-massage, dissolve even the most resistant cellulite. If you want an extra treatment against cellulite and you do not suffer from capillary fragility, anti-cellulite cups are excellent to use in combination with anti-cellulite oil, such as Active cell kit by FMG04;
- Wear anti-cellulite clothes in Emana© or Innergy© fabric: these revolutionary garments, comfortable and practical, contain minerals within their fibers capable of absorbing heat and returning it in the form of far infrared rays that reactivate the blood and lymphatic microcirculation, effectively contributing to the prevention of sclerotic cellulite. Depending on the part of the body you want to treat against cellulite, you can choose from the wide range of anti-cellulite clothes by FMG04: not only leggings and shorts, but also t-shirts, tops And body in many models and fashionable colors, suitable for sports or to be worn at any time of the day.
Now you know all the secrets to prevent and fight sclerotic cellulite. With daily consistency and commitment, thanks to our advice you will get legs, buttocks, arms, belly with smooth and toned skin: start now to say goodbye to cellulite!
Image Credits:
Girl walking the dog. Image by senivpetro on Freepik
Women's thighs. Image by Freepik
Girl at PC. Image by drobotdean on Freepik
