• General Information

The stages of cellulite

1. Decrease in microcirculation
2. Increase in the viscosity of the basic substance
3. Fibrinoid transformation of the fibrous tracts
4. Overload of the fatty matter in the adipocytes

Stage 1 of cellulite

Cellulite Circulatory Alteration Phase

Interstitial oedema appears in the adipose tissue with vasodilatation of the subcutaneous cell tissue, on a venular and lymphatic level. Accompanied by heaviness in the legs, colder and thicker to the touch in the affected region. The texture of orange peel skin is not yet visible on pinching and some dilated capillaries may appear.

Stage 2 of cellulite

Cellulite Exudation Phase

Vasodilatation worsens and extravasation occurs from the vessels to the interstitial medium. This oedema produces an increase in pressure in the conjunctive fibrous tracts and the nerve fibres which could cause pain. The pericapillary and interlobular reticular collagen fibres that make up the fibrous septa of the fat tissue become hypertrophic and hyperplasic due to the increase in fibroblast activity.

Orange peel skin is now evident without pinching and it can be accompanied by localised hyperplasia of the fat cells causing deformity or local lipodystrophy.

Stage 3 of cellulite

Cellulite Fibrosis Phase

Appearance of fat cell micro-nodes trapped in a septal fibrous tissue that has become degenerated and deformed. The septal fibres are divided into tiny fibres that multiply, thicken and become shiny, turgid and translucent. There is an increase in mucopolysaccharides and plasmatic fibrin. Vessels and nerves are partially encapsulated and the microvascular cell interchange is hindered.

Flaccidity may appear and skin irregularities are visible to the naked eye in the form of protrusions and depressions.

Stage 4 of cellulite

Cellulite Sclerosis Phase

Microvascularisation and extracellular medium alteration modifies the milieu and the septal fibres so that the fat lobes are deformed in a dense and intoxicated medium, with an increase in fibrous tract enlargement, worsening of microcirculation and possible hyperplasic and hypertrophic stimulus with development of a larger amount of fat cells that also enlarge, aggravating the problem in a medium affected by hypoxia and vascular congestion.

Micro-nodes group into macro-nodes that form protrusions. The skin displays major irregularities to the naked eye. Concomitant affectation of the reticular veins may appear as well as venules with the appearance of micro varicose veins, stretch marks and cutaneous atrophy.