Model Ashley Graham flaunts cellulite
Model Ashley Graham continues to make waves through her Instagram account and media engagements, highlighting her plus-size model body, and lately, her cellulite.
Graham challenges those who see it as a flaw.
Cellulite happens when the natural fat in the fibrous connective tissues presses against the skin, creating a dimpled effect, usually around the buttocks, thighs, hips and stomach.
Previously thought of as something that occurs when one is older, cellulite is not selective based on age, as it can be seen from young to old, but most commonly appears in a person’s 20s. It is not highly based on weight, as very thin people can have cellulite. In fact, it is largely based on genetics.
“In fact, most women will develop cellulite sometime in their lifetime,” mentions Dr. Laura Demarco-Paitl, family medicine physician with Advocate Medical Group. “This is primarily thanks to their hormones and genetics.”
Experts share that cellulite is extremely common in women AND men. Cellulite is more common in women due to the female collagen structure. Collagen is the main structural protein found in skin and other connective tissues. Men and women lose collagen after 30 at roughly the same rate, but because men’s skin is 25% thicker and dense, it tends to have more natural moisture, making cellulite less noticeable.
However, if you are still not accepting your cellulite or would like to prevent or develop less of it, here are some tips which will also help your overall wellness and feeling of body image:
- Build muscle through strength training and workouts and flexibility exercise, which keep skin strong and firm with less dimpling.
- Eat as healthy as possible
Topical treatments can help, but they are a temporary solution, and after a while, can be a costly solution. Stop the treatment, and the cellulite is back. There are also non-invasive surgical techniques as well that can smooth out the appearance, but there is no way to completely get rid of it.
“Contrary to belief, liposuction can actually worsen the appearance of cellulite,” adds Dr. Demarco-Paitl. “The best defense is maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.”
Conclusion: Accept your beauty dimples as a normal physical trait and that treatment is not necessary, but if it bothers you, discuss treatment options with your primary physician.
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About the Author
Jennifer Benson, health enews contributor, is coordinator of public affairs for Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She has 10+ years of community development and communication experience for non-profits and has a BA in Architecture from Judson University in Elgin, IL. Outside of work, you can find her planning the next adventure near water or rocks, re-organizing spaces, working on her Master’s in Public Health, caring for her senior citizen cat, keeping to healthy moving and eating disciplines and growing green things wherever she can find room.
