Cellulite / Orange peel

A weakness of the connective tissue can be visible on the outside as cellulite (orange peel skin). The term cellulite, which is often erroneously and synonymously used, should be distinguished from cellulite, which, in contrast to cellulite, describes an inflammatory change in the subcutaneous fatty tissue. Cellulite (orange peel skin) is a non-inflammatory change in the fatty tissue located directly under the skin, preferably in the thigh or buttock area.

The skin appears dimpled and resembles the surface of an orange peel, hence the name orange skin. Cellulite (orange peel skin), like other forms of connective tissue weakness, occurs almost exclusively in women. At an advanced age, up to 90% of women suffer from this widespread form of connective tissue weakness.

In the case of overweight people or genetic predisposition, it appears as early as puberty. Cellulite (orange peel skin) leads to padding with lymph congestion in the subcutaneous fatty tissue. The fatty tissue, a special form of connective tissue, is interspersed with collagen strands in a grid-like pattern.

A swelling of these structures (e.g. due to hormones) results in small fat pads, which become visible as orange peel skin in the form of small dents. In earlier stages these dents are only visible when pinching, later they also become visible when standing and finally when lying down. Cellulite has no disease value, but rather represents an aesthetic problem for the women concerned. The cosmetics industry has also taken advantage of this fact, whereby all creams, ointments and peelings only work on the skin surface and thus do not reach the causal structural change in the subcutaneous tissue. This topic might also be of interest to you: Strengthening connective tissue through nutrition

Stretch marks

Stretch marks are caused by excessive stretching of the subcutaneous tissue, for example during pregnancy or due to heavy weight gain. The formation of stretch marks is promoted by a frequently genetically caused weakness of the connective tissue. The stripes occur preferably on the abdomen, hips, buttocks, upper arms or breast, where there is a high strain on the connective tissue.

The subcutaneous tissue is interspersed with a network of collagen fibres. If the tissue is overstretched, tears occur in the subcutaneous tissue, which are visible from the outside as blue-red coloured stripes. These stripes fade after a few weeks and months, leaving behind light scars.

Stretch marks occur in almost every pregnancy, and also frequently during muscle development (bodybuilding) or during growth in adolescents. In this context, stretch marks are not considered pathological and are merely an aesthetic problem. On the other hand, they can be an expression of a serious disease such as overweight (obesity) or Cushing’s syndrome. As a therapy, vitamin A acid in the form of tablets or ointments can help with the regression, but it is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Bulging scars can be reduced by cryotherapy (cold) or laser application.