Cellulite and the menopause are among the topics women worry about most. On top of the other changes it brings, the menopause also seems to encourage the development of cellulite. Why can cellulite become more noticeable at this stage of life? Where does it tend to settle most (tummy, thighs, arms…)? And which everyday habits are worth adopting? Here are our answers.
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.
Cellulite, also known as 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 pockets) 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 natural protein that is vital for skin quality. In particular, collagen contributes to:
- the skin’s firmness and elasticity;
- its hydration.
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.
- Skin hydration decreases, which encourages water retention in the fat cells, causing them to swell and increasing 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 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
Cellulite on the arms, thighs and legs during the menopause
The tummy isn’t the only area affected. As the skin becomes less firm and less elastic, dimples can become more visible on the thighs, the legs and the upper arms, an area that is often overlooked. The habits described below apply to all of these areas: staying active, eating good-quality food and massaging regularly.
For more specific tips, take a look at our articles on cellulite on the arms during the menopause and cellulite on the thighs.
How to get rid of cellulite caused by menopause?
Engage in regular physical activity. Moving more and staying active is a good lifestyle habit at any age. 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 is a good start. 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 disrupts collagen, which has 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. So opt for minimally processed foods.
Try palpate-roll massage. This type of massage is performed on the areas where cellulite has settled. The palpate-roll massage can be performed by hand (though the technique can be tricky to replicate) or with a cupping device. Studies have also looked at palpate-roll massage performed with a cup (3). The anti-cellulite cup suctions the skin, which then rolls inside the cup. To find out more about the Cellublue Anti-Cellulite Cup, click here.
The cupping tool that replicates pinching and rolling, 3 minutes per zone
- The professionals' technique, at home: you lift, glide, and release, and the tool grips the skin fold like a manual pinching and rolling
- Soft silicone that fits thighs, buttocks, stomach, and arms
- 3 minutes per zone, every day, always with a massage oil so the tool glides
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.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get rid of cellulite during the menopause?
There’s no single solution. Several habits can be adopted day to day: moving regularly, choosing minimally processed foods, stopping smoking and massaging the areas concerned with the palpate-roll technique, either by hand or with a cup. These simple habits can fit into your daily routine, at your own pace and as you see fit.
Why does cellulite settle on the tummy during the menopause?
As oestrogen levels fall, the way fat is distributed changes. Before the menopause, fat tends to sit in the lower body. Afterwards, it is more likely to settle around the tummy. As cellulite and fat are often linked, this explains why the tummy is more affected at this stage.
Can cellulite appear as early as the perimenopause?
Every woman experiences this stage differently. If you have any questions about your hormones or how you are feeling, ask your GP for advice. When it comes to lifestyle, everyday habits (staying active, watching what you eat, not smoking, massaging) can be adopted at any age, without waiting for the menopause.
Does HRT have an effect on cellulite?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medical matter that depends on each woman. To find out whether it is right for you and what you can expect from it, ask your GP or gynaecologist. Everyday habits, such as staying active or massaging, can be adopted alongside it.
Is cellulite inevitable after 50?
Every woman is different. The hormonal changes that occur around the age of 50 affect the skin and the way fat is distributed, which can make cellulite more visible. Staying active, paying attention to the quality of your diet and massaging your skin regularly are good habits to get into at this stage of life.
Related articles
- Menopause: what to do about cellulite on the arms?
- Weight gain after menopause: causes and everyday tips
- Menopause and belly cellulite: 5 everyday tips to try
Useful categories: All About Cellulite.
