Have you developed cellulite on arms and are now wondering what caused it and how to get rid of it?
Cellulite is not uncommon and affects post-pubertal females more than men (1). It is a skin condition in which the fatty tissues underneath the skin push up on the skin’s surface, giving a fatty and bumpy appearance (2). Often, the dimpled-looking areas on the skin are referred to as cellulite.
Cellulite can appear on any part of the skin; however, it is more common in the hips, thighs, stomach, and arms.
What Causes Cellulite On Arms?
Since cellulite is a result of accumulated fat, it is often seen in areas that tend to have more natural fatty tissues. The back of the thighs is more prone to getting cellulite due to more fatty tissues.
Likewise, the upper arms that have more natural fatty tissues tend to get dimpled skin as a result of cellulite.
As we look for the cause of cellulite, the deep fatty tissues come under scrutiny. The risk of developing cellulite increases in the areas that are fatter than the others. Besides this, there are many more factors that affect the development of cellulite. These are-
- The level of estrogen in the body (3)
- Gender because females get cellulite more than males due to high estrogen level
- Weight fluctuations that increase fatty tissues in certain areas
- Age as the level of collagen decreases, making skin more prone to getting cellulite
- People with thin skin as it causes deeper fatty tissues to become more prominent
- History of developing cellulite in the family
- Poor blood circulation in the body
How To Get Rid Of Cellulite On Arms?
Now that you have developed cellulite on your arms, it is essential to know how to get rid of them. Here, it is important to know that eliminating cellulite is not possible; however, efforts can be made to minimize its appearance.
From making certain lifestyle changes to adopting home remedies and dermatology treatments, plenty of things can be done to get rid of cellulite in your arms.
Lifestyle Changes
1. Exercise: Indulging in any physical activity, from walking and jogging to dancing and running, anything can be started to minimize the fat and the appearance of cellulite. As the fat cells shrink, the dimples will reduce in size too.
You can perform any exercise that involves arm movement, such as presses. It will not only remove fat but also build muscles. Remember to involve your entire body, not just arms, to reduce cellulite. It will help to improve skin elasticity and contribute to your overall well-being.
If you are a beginner, try consulting a doctor or gym trainer to know which exercises will improve cellulite on arms.
2. Lose weight: People who are overweight tend to develop cellulite more. So, try to maintain a healthy weight. Apart from regular exercise, you can also start eating healthy food and avoid unrefined carbs, sugar, and fat.
Once the body weight comes back to normal, the dimples on the skin due to cellulite will shrink.
Take advice from a dietician or nutritionist to know which diet plan will help you achieve the desired weight and attain a healthy body mass index.
Here, it is important to know that some people may develop cellulite despite being normal weight. In such cases, making efforts to reduce weight will be of no use. So, it is better to visit a doctor before starting any diet.
3. Avoid caffeine: Even though consuming a cup of coffee won’t harm you, drinking too much caffeine can dehydrate the body. Once the skin lacks moisture and suppleness, the dimpled skin starts becoming prominent.
So, instead of coffee, you can start drinking water to keep the body well hydrated. It will eventually reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Home Remedies
As already mentioned, cellulite cannot be removed, but its appearance can be diminished. Here are a few home remedies to do so-
- Massage the skin with creams to improve skin elasticity
- Take help from a professional massage therapist to improve lymph drainage
- Use self-tanner to reduce cellulite appearance
- Avoid too much sun exposure to get tan
- Eat a healthy and antioxidant-rich diet to improve your skin’s condition
Dermatological Treatments
While lifestyle changes and home remedies take time to show results, dermatological treatments can help you get rid of cellulite on your arms a little early.
Book an appointment with a dermatologist who can provide different treatment lines to improve the condition. A few techniques that work wonders on cellulite include the following (4)-
- acoustic wave therapy
- laser therapy,
- dermabrasion
- chemical peels
Irrespective of which dermatological treatment you take, it is important to repeat it over time to maintain the desired results. Sometimes, a combination of treatments is employed to manage cellulite (5).
Conclusion
Cellulite on arms may reduce its aesthetic appeal. Even though getting rid of cellulite is not possible as it develops due to the fatty tissues lying underneath the skin, you can still make efforts to reduce its appearance.
Women who are prone to getting cellulite due to their family history should try to maintain a healthy weight. At the same time, regular exercise and a healthy diet plan can also keep people at their normal weight and keep dimpled skin at bay.
Lastly, if none of the home remedies and lifestyle changes make a distinguishing effect, and the pesky dimples are making your arms look bad, it is better to consult a dermatologist. They may suggest a suitable treatment to help you get rid of stubborn fatty tissues appearing as cellulite.
References
- National Library Of Medicine – Treatment for cellulite
- National Library Of Medicine – Cellulite: a review with a focus on subcision
- National Library Of Medicine – Cellulite: Current Understanding and Treatment
- American Academy Of Dermatology Association – Cellulite Treatments: What Really Works?
- Wiley – Cellulite: Presentation and management
