The cellulite and menopause are among the most common concerns for women. On top of the other changes it brings, menopause also appears to encourage the development of cellulite. Why does cellulite tend to appear during this stage of life, and what can you do about it?
Menopause and cellulite: what are these phenomena?
The connection between cellulite and menopause lies in the fact that one tends to make the other worse.
The cellulite — or lipodystrophy — is a localised inflammation of the skin characterised by swelling. It is caused by the saturation of fat cells (adipocytes), whose role is to store fat and water beneath the skin. This saturation leads to the formation of dimples (fatty or watery clusters) that give cellulite its characteristic “orange peel” appearance. To learn more about what cellulite is, visit our dedicated guide.
The menopause marks the stage of a woman’s life when her ovaries stop producing hormones: oestrogen and progesterone. Best known for their role in female reproductive function, oestrogens also play a key part in skin physiology. They support the synthesis, maturation and renewal of collagen — a vital natural protein for skin health. Collagen has 3 essential actions on the skin:
- It gives the skin greater firmness and elasticity by strengthening its attachment to the underlying muscle.
- It supports blood circulation and boosts hydration by increasing water absorption at the cellular level.
- Collagen promotes cell regeneration.
What is the link between cellulite and menopause?
Cellulite and menopause are a challenging combination for women. Menopause is defined by the decline and eventual cessation of sex hormone production — particularly oestrogen, as we have seen. From that point on, their influence on the structure and texture of the skin fades, and problems begin to emerge.
- Hydration and blood circulation decrease, which encourages water retention in the fat cells, causing them to swell and multiply the formation of dimples
- The skin becomes less firm and less elastic as its attachment to the muscle weakens. Its resilience is reduced and it gives way to the pressure exerted by fat cells, which can now assert themselves and become more prominent (1)
- Skin regeneration slows and the skin thins, meaning the dimples formed by fat and water become more visible
Where does menopause-related cellulite appear?
Cellulite tends to concentrate on the buttocks, the thighs, the knees, the stomach and the hips. As women age, they tend to gain a little weight. And when weight increases, the skin surface expands, which is particularly conducive to cellulite development.
Furthermore, the hormonal imbalance that occurs around the age of 50 disrupts the way fat is distributed throughout the body. Naturally, women have a gynoid body shape, meaning fat tends to settle in the lower body. With the drop in oestrogen levels at menopause, fat distribution in the body shifts. Fat increasingly tends to accumulate around the abdomen (2). Numerous studies show that falling oestrogen levels promote abdominal weight gain in women going through menopause. Unfortunately, cellulite and fat are very often linked. As a result, whenever fat accumulates, it encourages the development of cellulite.
Find out more about cellulite on the stomach
How to get rid of cellulite caused by menopause?
To tackle cellulite, it is essential to engage in regular physical activity. Moving more and staying active helps your body burn fat, improve blood circulation and therefore reduce cellulite. If you are not a keen sportswoman, there is no need to push yourself into intense exercise. Simply being more active throughout the day and in your daily routine can make a real difference. Try walking more and avoiding prolonged periods of inactivity. You can also do simple, gentle exercises at home.
Quit smoking if you smoke, as cigarette smoke reduces blood flow and disrupts collagen, both of which have an impact on cellulite.
Review your diet — the quality of what you eat matters. The more processed a food is, the fewer beneficial nutrients it contains, and the more likely it is to be high in salt, fat and sugar. These foods tend to be stored in the body.
Try palpate-roll massage. This type of massage works effectively and durably on cellulite by separating fat cells from collagen fibres. The palpate-roll technique drains excess water responsible for cellulite and also stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation. It works to break down deep-seated fatty deposits that cause cellulite. The palpate-roll massage can be performed by hand (though the technique can be tricky to replicate) or with a cupping device. Studies have even shown that the palpate-roll technique is more effective when performed with a cup (3). The anti-cellulite cup works by suctioning and breaking down all types of cellulite. As the skin rolls inside the cup, fat cells are broken down, leaving the skin smoother and firmer. To find out more about the Cellublue Anti-Cellulite Cup click here.
Sources and references
(1) Raine-Fenning, Nick & Brincat, Mark & Muscat Baron, Yves. (2003). Skin Aging and Menopause. American journal of clinical dermatology. 4. 371-8. 10.2165/00128071-200304060-00001.
(2) (2012) Understanding weight gain at menopause, Climacteric, 15:5, 419-429, DOI: 10.3109/13697137.2012.707385
(3) Luebberding, Stefanie & Krueger, Nils & Sadick, Neil. (2015). Cellulite: An Evidence-Based Review. American journal of clinical dermatology. 16. 10.1007/s40257-015-0129-5.