Hating ourselves is easy. Hating our bodies, unfortunately, tends to be even easier. We’re constantly sold a false image of ourselves, an advertisement of what we need to look like or what we should aspire for. The shaving ads, body deodorant commercials, weight loss drugs, and plastic surgery trends (just to name a few) all show us one thing: loving yourself doesn’t make much money. One “imperfection” packaged and sold to us in the form of self-hatred is cellulite.
We see cellulite as a blemish because its dimpled, textured appearance tends to clash with the smoothness of the average skin layer. It can show up in places all over the human body, typically on our butts, thighs, and stomachs. Though a vast majority of women will have cellulite on their bodies at different points in their lives, society still views it as unlovable, ugly, and unfortunate.
So why do we still treat such a common experience as a worst nightmare? And what can we do about the meanings we’ve attached to the bumps and marks on our bodies? First, we have to understand cellulite and the role it plays in the body.
What is Cellulite?
Cellulite occurs when uneven pockets of body fat become visible as our skin pulls tightly downward, connected to tissue cords that anchor the skin to the muscle underneath. As these pockets accumulate, they push up against the skin as the connective fibers pull down, creating the dreaded dimpling we see on the skin’s surface.
There are a million different reasons why cellulite exists, with sex, genetics, age, body size, and skin thickness all contributing to the pronouncement of cellulite. Even the most “in-shape” and toned people can have cellulite because parts of our bodies are designed to contain fat, and no amount of exercise or restriction can reduce it to zero.
Why Does Cellulite Appear More on Women?
Though cellulite can occur anywhere on anyone, it most often affects female bodies over male bodies. This is due to the different body composition of women versus men, with women having a larger distribution of fat occurring naturally in the butt, thighs, and stomach, a.k.a. the most common places for cellulite to appear. Hormonal factors also play a significant role, with estrogen being an essential ingredient in the exacerbation of cellulite as we get older.
As women age, our bodies’ supply of estrogen decreases and so does the flow of blood vessels, affecting the smooth circulation of blood internally. Decreased circulation means less oxygen to certain regions of the body, resulting in lower collagen production and increased accumulation of fat cells. Our skin also begins losing elasticity as we age as well, resulting in sagginess that can make cellulite look more noticeable.
Why We Struggle So Much With Cellulite
All of this working together can create a storm of self-loathing and self-image issues. Us women specifically are told to look as young as possible forever, with even a whiff of aging being scrutinized and criticized as “letting yourself go” or “giving up.” When society views something like cellulite—an almost inherent trait of being a woman—as an imperfection, it means that nearly nothing is safe from our oppressive beauty standards.
Furthermore, people treat cellulite as a flaw to correct, even though it’s nearly impossible to eliminate. Contrary to popular belief, skincare regimens cannot rearrange our fat and muscle tissue.
Despite this, companies offer all sorts of superficial creams and lotions, promising miraculous cellulite-disappearing results. Even medical interventions like laser therapy and surgery can only possibly reduce the appearance of cellulite, as eliminating it completely just isn’t viable.
The most common advice for reducing cellulite emphasizes diet and exercise, but good diet and exercise can improve most things in life. This still doesn’t prevent the fact that cellulite is a part of life, a show of where your body has grown and been over the years.
The Frustration is Real
A lot of people still hold onto the hope that if they just try hard enough, they can completely get rid of cellulite. This belief often drives people to try various treatments and routines, only to end up disappointed with modest results at best. The reality is that cellulite isn’t something you can simply erase; it’s a natural part of the body.
We need to rework and reword how we view cellulite as a whole in the conversation. Instead of working against it, it’s best to find a path to embracing it. It can be so, so, so difficult to not see your body as an enemy as is, in addition to these perceived imperfections that can make us feel that much worse.
Especially if you’re somebody already vulnerable to the pain of a bad body image, compounding it with cellulite and the belief that you’re not trying or exercising enough to get rid of it can lead to so much unnecessary guilt and misery.
How Weight Fluctuations Impact Cellulite (& Guilt)
For those battling an eating disorder or going through recovery, problems with cellulite can be even more intense. The rapid weight loss and gain common in those with anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder can exacerbate the appearance of cellulite. Gaining or losing weight quickly means the elasticity of your skin is in perpetual flux. This can lead to cellulite intensifying as the skin continuously stretches and contracts.
For so many people already experiencing eating-disordered behavior and body dysmorphia, the heavy feeling of guilt may be even harder to deal with. Not only are they struggling with how their body looks, but now they’re struggling with a sense of shame and guilt that they did this to themselves, with cellulite being a constant reminder.
Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself
If you feel this way about your body, remind yourself that your struggles don’t define your entire identity, and remember that everyone is meant to look and be different. There is no perfect world where we live unaffected, untouched by life and the paths we may go down. But our past doesn’t define our present and who we are now. If you’re making steps toward recovery or want to start, you’re making the right choices for the better.
You’re allowed to feel resentment toward yourself. You’re allowed to feel upset with yourself. That’s okay. But know that you’re also a person who is allowed to make mistakes. Resenting yourself for so long will do nothing but keep you trapped in a self-imposed cell, unable to grow out or move on.
Recognize the incredible strength it has taken to recover from an eating disorder. Instead of resenting your past, take a moment to celebrate the progress you’ve made. Embrace where you are right now and appreciate how your body, with all its perceived imperfections, has supported you through the toughest times.
Finally, Realize Some Myths You May Be Telling Yourself
Cellulite can often tap into our deeper fears and anxieties about our bodies. For those who struggle with negative body image, cellulite can become a glaring symbol of it. It’s essential to understand that unrealistic beauty standards largely fuel these feelings, as they don’t reflect how real people actually look. Recognizing this helps us be kinder to ourselves and challenges the negative narratives that we have learned to believe.
Myths:
- Myth: Only overweight people have cellulite.
- Truth: Cellulite can affect people of all shapes and sizes. Factors like genetics, hormones, and the structure of connective tissue all play a role.
- Myth: Only older women get cellulite.
- Truth: Cellulite can show up at any age, though it might become more noticeable as we get older due to changes in skin elasticity and fat distribution.
- Myth: Exercise can completely eliminate cellulite.
- Truth: While exercise can help tone muscles and reduce fat, it can’t completely get rid of cellulite. Genetics and hormones also influence its appearance, making it something we can’t entirely control.
- Myth: Toxins and bad diets cause cellulite in the body.
- Truth There’s no scientific evidence to back up the idea that toxins cause cellulite. It mainly relates to how the body stores fat and the structure of connective tissue.
Just like cellulite is a natural part of the body, it’s natural to have days when accepting your body feels hard. On these days, remember that beauty is defined not by the absence of cellulite, but by the abundance of your laugh, your joy, your compassion, and your selflessness. You display it in your acts of courage, resilience, and passion.
Cellulite is a symptom of being alive, a sign of our complexities and strengths. Accept yourself as you are and your life will be better for it.
