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 liquids mix with the elastin and collagen fibers, assuming a gel-like nature, to the point of forming fibrous nodules that are painful to the touch.
Sclerotic cellulite represents the final, essentially irreversible stage of cellulite. With sclerotic cellulite, the imperfections of orange peel skin, such as flabby skin and troughs on the legs, thighs, buttocks, belly or arms will be clearly visible, regardless of the lights, the position taken or whether or not we press the skin. Fortunately, the process of reaching the final stage of cellulite is quite slow and can be prevented through 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 far beyond the aesthetic problem. The signs and symptoms of sclerotic cellulitis are as follows:
- 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 gradualness, four different stages:
- Stage 1, edematous cellulite: It is the cellulite of the very young, of those who are very lucky or of those who manage to manage the imperfectionism before it begins to show obvious signs. Orange peel skin is only just hinted at and is only visible if you press the skin or stiffen the muscle. The skin can be cold to the touch and the water retention is mild. Stage 1 is completely reversible;
- Stage 2, fibrous cellulite: Fluid stagnation becomes more consistent and small nodules of adipocytes, collagen fibers and elastin 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 noticeable signs, and areas affected by cellulite can be sore to the touch and colder than nearby areas due to inflammation of the tissues themselves and compression of the nerve endings. Stage 2 of cellulite is still reversible;
- Stage 3, soft sclerotic cellulite: Cellulite nodules are larger and sore to the touch, the skin is even more flabby and toneless than the previous stage. Symptoms of defective blood and lymphatic circulation, such as bruises and fragile capillaries, become evident. However, stage 3 cellulite is also reversible;
- Stage 4, sclerotic cellulite: Sclerotic cellulite is the culmination of progressive alteration of connective and adipose tissue, with hard and increasingly large cellulite nodules and a worsening of all 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 a problem that is (almost) all female due to the "fault" of estrogens which 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. Observe your mother and/or grandmother: do they have cellulite, perhaps sclerotic? If your answer is yes, don't waste a minute more even if you are very young and your cellulite is barely hinted at. 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, being overweight 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 years old and you recognize yourself in one of the stages preceding sclerotic cellulite, it is never too late to get rid of 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 meats, whole grains, legumes, spices and extra virgin olive oil for seasoning. Avoid fried foods, sweets, bread and pasta made with refined flours, pre-packaged products, excess sodium and sugars;
- 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 help you drink more fluids;
- 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;
- Do not remain in a static position: standing for too long without moving also impedes 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. The muds, like the cold mud of FMG04, will help you drain toxins and excess fluids from tissues affected by cellulite with an immediate deflating effect. The 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 made of Emana© or Innergy© fabric: these revolutionary garments, comfortable and practical, contain minerals within their fibres 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 takes the dog for a walk. Image of senivpetro on Freepik
Thighs of women. Image of Freepik
Girl at the PC. Image of drobotdean on Freepik
