Orange peel is a condition in which lumps and dimples have formed in the skin (especially the buttocks and thighs). This gives the skin a dimpled, bumpy appearance reminiscent of the appearance of an orange. The skin condition occurs when fatty deposits penetrate through the connective tissue under the skin. Several risk factors are known for this, including lifestyle factors such as smoking and an unhealthy diet. Various treatments are available, but in most patients the effect is only temporary. Some lifestyle changes also tend to reduce the incidence of orange-peel skin. Finally, the relatively harmless condition only causes cosmetic problems but no other health problems.
- Synonyms of orange peel
- Terminology
- Causes of skin condition
- Epidemiology and risk factors of cellulite
- Sex
- Genetic factors
- Age
- Lifestyle
- Power supply
- Symptoms
- Treatment through healthy lifestyle
- Professional medical treatment
- Acoustic wave therapy
- Carboxytherapy
- Endermology
- Ionithermy
- Laser-assisted liposuction
- Laser treatment
- Light therapy
- Medicines and creams
- Radiotherapy
- Subcision
- Ultrasonic liposculpting
- Vacuum therapy
Synonyms of orange peel
An orange peel also exists in other terms such as:
- cellulite
- peau d’orange (F)
- orange peel
Terminology
Some people confuse cellulite with cellulite. However, this is not the same, because cellulitis is a subcutaneous bacterial skin infection that causes fever and pain in combination with red and swollen skin.
Causes of skin condition
The exact cause of cellulite is unknown as of October 2020, but this may be due to fatty deposits penetrating through the connective tissue under the skin.
Epidemiology and risk factors of cellulite
Sex
Orange peel affects both men and women, but women are affected much more often. This is due to different distributions of fat, muscle and connective tissue. Between eighty and ninety percent of women experience cellulite at some point during their lives.
Genetic factors
Certain genes are required for the development of cellulite. Genetic factors also play a role in, among other things, the speed of metabolism and the fat distribution under the skin, which contributes to the development of an orange peel peel.
Age
People over the age of 25 are mainly affected, although the disease occasionally affects teenagers. Hormonal factors play a role in the appearance of cellulite. Estrogen, insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones and prolactin are part of the cellulite production process. During the transition to menopause, estrogen levels decrease in women, which may also reduce the blood supply to the connective tissue under the skin. Due to lower blood circulation, this area receives less oxygen, resulting in lower collagen production. The fat cells enlarge as estrogen levels decrease. This makes the fat deposits more visible. Increasing age also leads to less elastic and thinner skin, which causes cellulite to develop more quickly.Obesity is a risk factor for cellulite / Source: Tobyotter, Flickr (CC BY-2.0)
Lifestyle
Orange peel skin is common in obese people, although slim and fit people are also occasionally affected. Yo-yoing with weight is also associated with orange peel skin. Smoking is also a risk factor. People who exercise little and maintain the same position for long periods of time are more likely to be affected. Wearing underwear with tight elastic over the buttocks restricts blood flow, which contributes to the formation of cellulite.
Power supply
A high intake of fat, carbohydrates, salt and too little fiber intake increases the risk of orange peel peel.
Symptoms
Cellulite is a harmless but often cosmetically disturbing condition that causes dimples and dents in the skin. Orange peel skin often occurs on the buttocks, thighs and/or hips and occasionally also on the arms and/or knees. Mild cellulite is only visible when the patient squeezes the affected skin, such as the thighs. More severe cellulite causes the skin to have an increasingly wrinkled and bumpy appearance with areas of mounds and dimpling (the appearance of an orange).Consuming a healthy diet is recommended / Source: Jill111, Pixabay
Treatment through healthy lifestyle
Orange peel skin does not result from the ingestion of toxins, but a healthy lifestyle does improve the condition. This means that people should limit their intake of fat, carbohydrates and salt, but should still consume sufficient fiber (a healthy and balanced diet). Smokers are also best at quitting this unhealthy habit. Exercise is recommended and people also regularly change positions. People also opt for underwear that is not too tight. Furthermore, it is best for people to maintain and maintain a healthy weight.
Professional medical treatment
Scientists have not yet discovered an effective medical treatment for orange peel skin as of October 2020, although various treatment methods are available. These often improve symptoms, although they only provide a temporary result. Furthermore, patients are advised to be careful when purchasing remedies against cellulite, because these have not been proven effective and may worsen the complaints. It is therefore best for the patient to contact the doctor if he wishes to try a drug.
Acoustic wave therapy
This therapy uses a small device that transmits sound waves to the affected skin areas. Multiple sessions are usually required.
Carboxytherapy
In carboxytherapy, the doctor places carbon dioxide gas under the skin. Side effects include bruising and discomfort after the procedure, but in some patients cellulite has disappeared.
Endermology
The doctor massages the skin with a vacuum-like device that, as it were, lifts the skin. The effectiveness of this method is unknown as of October 2020.
Ionithermy
In ionithermia, the doctor covers the affected area with special mud or clay. He then wraps the area with plastic and then applies an electric current to it. Scientific evidence for the effectiveness of the treatment is unknown as of October 2020.
Laser-assisted liposuction
With laser-assisted liposuction, the doctor removes small amounts of fat, but in some patients this treatment technique actually worsens the condition. This weakens the subcutaneous tension, causing even more dents in the skin.
Laser treatment
Laser treatment improves the appearance of cellulite for a year or more. The doctor places a very small laser probe under the skin. The laser then breaks down the tissue. The skin then thickens due to the increased production of collagen, making the appearance of the orange peel peel less visible.
Light therapy
A combination of anti-cellulite products with infrared rays stimulates fat burning and increases blood circulation. Improving the skin surface is done with the help of LED light.
Medicines and creams
Some medications and creams can be used to reduce the visibility of the orange peel peel. Caffeine dehydrates cells, making them less visible; daily treatment is necessary. Retinol reduces the appearance of cellulite by thickening the skin. The patient must use this drug for at least six months to see results.
Radiotherapy
Short-term relief of the symptoms is provided by radiotherapy.
Subcision
During subcision, a dermatologist places a needle under the skin to break the connective tissue bands (ligaments). Some patients enjoy the results of the treatment for two years and then need to have another treatment.
Ultrasonic liposculpting
This treatment destroys fat, the effectiveness of the treatment has not been proven as of October 2020.
Vacuum therapy
A small device cuts the connective tissue bands. This causes the underlying tissue to move upward to fill the space under the skin, eliminating the appearance of cellulite. The skin is then free of cellulite for approximately three years.