Can Skinny People Get Cellulite?

Contrary to popular belief, cellulite doesn’t only happen to people with excess fat. Everyone, regardless of weight and body type, can experience skin dimpling, including skinny people. It is common in women more than men and is believed to affect about 80 to 90% of women in varying levels.

One common way to check if you have cellulite is by pinching your skin in the upper thigh. If you notice a lumpy texture that looks like an orange-peel skin, you have it. This is more noticeable among people with excess body fat, so if you’re slim and have some cellulite, you may be wondering what’s causing it.

What contributes to cellulite?

Cellulite occurs when the fat layers beneath the skin starts to push through layers of connective tissues or collagen fibers. This is common in the areas around the thighs and buttocks, but can also occur on the arms, stomach, and other body parts. There are also a number of factors that can influence whether you’ll have cellulite.

• Genes – Cellulite runs in family. You have a higher chance of developing it if your mother or grandmother had cellulite.
• Gender – Skin dimpling is more common in women than men. This is because women tend to have more fat in the hips, thighs, and buttocks.
• Age – Cellulite gets worse with aging, due to thinning skin and loss of elasticity. Changes in estrogen levels during pregnancy and menopause can also make cellulite appearance worse.
• Lifestyle – Sitting all or most of the time can also contribute to the appearance of cellulite. The same is also true for smoking and eating unhealthy foods.

Is there a way to cure cellulite?

No miracle creams or lotions can permanently eliminate cellulite. This is true even for products that promise or claim to help you get rid of skin dimpling. Some creams or scrubs with caffeine and green/black tea can help firm the skin, but keep in mind that there is no cure for cellulite. 

It is best to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet and exercising daily (aerobic with strength training). You should also avoid wearing tight clothing, as this can worsen its appearance. The same is also true for yo-yo dieting (putting on and losing weight constantly), which damages the skin’s collagen and elastic fibers. 

What can improve cellulite’s appearance?

If you’re cellulite bothers you, you can consider nonsurgical aesthetic treatments. At Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore, we have two non-invasive procedures that can improve the appearance of skin dimpling. 

Acoustic Shockwave Therapy

This FDA-cleared procedure is clinically proven to breakdown fat accumulation using acoustic shockwave (pulse pressures and safe vibrations). This can also help reduce cellulite appearance. At Cutis Laser Clinics, we have two clinically proven acoustic shockwave therapy devices: BTL X Wave and Zimmer Z Wave.

X Wave and Z Wave induce targeted vibrations within the connective tissues using specially modified wave pulses. This makes the tissues tighter, firmer and more active, increasing the elasticity of the epidermis. The treatment can take between 15 and 60 minutes depending on the area of concern and has no downtime. 

Exilis Ultra 360

This US FDA-cleared device heats up specific layers of skin using radiofrequency waves and ultrasound energies. This helps in melting the fat underneath and triggering the production of new collagen. You can turn to Exilis Ultra for reducing fat, tightening skin on the face, and minimizing cellulite appearance. 

This works by using a handpiece that safely emits monopolar radiofrequency energy. This penetrates the deep layer of the skin, which helps reduce fat. You may also be glad to know that Exilis Ultra features a controlled cooling mechanism that protects the skin while the heat energy treats the fat layer. 

Schedule a consultation today

If you’re looking to reduce or improve the appearance of your cellulite, contact Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore today. You can schedule a consultation and body assessment with our Harvard-trained aesthetic doctor, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez, to find out which treatment is right for you.