Higher levels of estrogen (or poor estrogen metabolism) causes low levels of collagen, and therefore, increases the appearance of cellulite. Women with cellulite may be experiencing estrogen dominance, which is an imbalance in the ratio between estrogen and progesterone.
Estrogen, the female hormone, tends to exacerbate cellulite because it encourages the body to build up and store fat. On the other hand, testosterone, the male hormone, burns fat. However, cellulite is more than just excess fat.
Cellulite often develops when women produce more estrogen, usually during adolescence or pregnancy.
Weight gain can make cellulite more noticeable, but some lean people have cellulite, as well. It tends to run in families, so genetics might play the biggest role in whether you develop cellulite. An inactive lifestyle also can increase your chances of having cellulite, as can pregnancy.
Estrogen Deficient Skin is often characterized by the following symptoms: Dryer and duller skin. Decreasing estrogen levels can cause formerly bright, hydrated skin to become more dull and dry, which leads to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Sagging skin with visible wrinkles.
In women, feminine facial shape (e.g., small jaw, small nose, and reduced interocular distance) is linked to higher estrogen (see Law Smith et al., 2006) and superior immune function (Foo et al., 2020 While the face might be the center of our visual attention, the human body contains numerous morphological features - ...
The decrease in estrogen may lead to symptoms like vaginal dryness, mood changes, night sweats and hot flashes. The primary estrogen in your body changes from estradiol (E2) to estrone (E1) during menopause.
Estrogen is crucial for maintaining skin elasticity and connective tissue health. A deficiency can weaken the connective tissue structures, allowing any remaining fat to push through and create the appearance of cellulite [45].
The main culprit behind weight gain in your thighs is estrogen. This hormone drives the increase in fat cells in females, causing deposits to form most commonly around the buttocks and thighs.
While the evidence on this subject is limited, one study on 105 women aged 24-50 demonstrated that regular use of 2.5 grams of bioactive collagen peptides, over a period of 6 months, led to a clear improvement of the skin appearance in women suffering from moderate cellulite.
Laser and radiofrequency treatments.
In one method, a thin fiber is slipped under the skin to deliver laser heat that destroys the fibrous bands binding fat. This approach has shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite for six months to a year.
Symptoms of Estrogen Imbalance
Skin issues like acne and worsened PMS symptoms are also frequent. Conversely, low estrogen levels may result in hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and reduced libido. Supporting estrogen metabolism can help balance hormone levels and reduce many of these symptoms.
Decreasing the amount of stress hormones your body produces can help keep your estrogen and progesterone levels balanced. Eat a healthy diet: Eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet with very little processed sugar can make it easier for your liver to process estrogen.
Cardiovascular exercises like running, cycling and swimming are excellent for burning calories and targeting thigh fat. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio per week to see significant improvements. Strength training exercises play a crucial role in building muscle and boosting metabolism.
In summary. Estrogenic medication, such as “the pill” in women and transition hormone therapy in male-to-female transsexuals, causes cellulite, if combined with excess calories, sugar intake, lack of exercise etc, at a much higher rate than on people who are not on that medication.
Too much sugar expands fat cells because it gets deposited there. Too much salt can make the appearance of cellulite worse because it causes you to retain fluids. Fad diets and quick weight loss can make your skin looser and actually make cellulite appear — even though you've lost body fat.
Lipedema stages include: Stage 1: Your skin looks normal, but you can feel something like pebbles under your skin. You can have pain and bruising at this stage. Stage 2: Your skin surface is uneven and may have dimpling that looks like quilted stitching, a walnut shell or cottage cheese.
While everyone's body composition is unique, excess fat accumulation in the inner thigh area can result from a combination of genetic factors, hormonal changes, lifestyle habits, and dietary choices.
The effects of estrogen deficiency on the skin connective tissue include a decreased production and topical content of both type I and III collagen and elastin fibers, which also contributes to cellulite.
Regarding vitamins, they all have a role to play in cellulite prevention and they can somewhat contribute to its reduction, with perhaps vitamin C (ascorbic acid) being the most important, due to its antioxidant action and its important role on collagen synthesis.
Fried or Processed Foods
It's essential to understand that fat isn't necessarily the enemy; in fact, good fats like those from avocados, nuts, and olive oil can benefit our skin and overall health. It's the trans fats and saturated fats often found in fried and processed foods that can aggravate cellulite.
Low estrogen skin tends to be thinner, showing more visible blemishes and wrinkles. Low estrogen skin also has lower collagen reserves. Collagen is the naturally occurring protein that keeps your skin looking smooth and full.
High blood levels of vitamin D linked to reduced estrogen – and potentially lower breast cancer risk | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
Red Wine and the Risk of Breast Cancer
Doctors determined long ago that alcohol increases the body's estrogen levels, fostering the growth of cancer cells.