What is the Difference Between Cellulite And Stretch Marks?
Cellulite and stretch marks are two different conditions that people tend to be confused with. While they may look similar, here are the key differences between these two common skin conditions:
|
Cellulite |
Stretch Marks |
| Appearance |
Dents in skin, causing
uneven texture |
Fine, long streaks across
the skin, which can be red,
purple or white in colour |
| Prevalent areas |
– Thighs
– Hips
– Buttocks |
– Abdomen
– Thighs
– Hips
– Buttocks
– Flanks
– Breasts |
| Causes |
– High body fat
– Hormone changes
– High-fat diet
– Genetics
– Low muscle tone |
– Weight fluctuation
during pregnancy
– Rapid weight gain
or weight loss |
| How it develops |
Cellulite develops when
fat cells enlarge and protrude
the connective tissue that lies
below the skin’s surface |
Stretch marks are formed
when the skin is stretched
or shrunk too quickly. This
abrupt change causes
damage to our skin structure
and an inflammatory reaction
that leads to red or purple
stretch marks during its initial
formation |
Hormone changes
Hormones tend to affect the development of cellulite. Hormones such as estrogen, insulin and noradrenaline all factor into cellulite accumulating.
Genetic factors
Some people can be genetically predisposed towards development of cellulite. A person’s metabolic rate, the places where they deposit fat, and circulatory levels are all linked to their genetics.
Diet
In general, a healthy diet will help to stave off the development of cellulite.
Before seeking cellulite removal treatment, it is important to correctly identify and diagnose the type of cellulite that you have so that suitable treatment can be administered.
Soft Cellulite
The legs and buttocks are common areas where soft cellulite develops. Soft cellulite is mostly caused by fat accumulation in the area, and is exacerbated by poor muscle tone. It is most visible when one is lying down and feels gelatinous to touch. Compared to other types of cellulites, soft cellulite is the easiest to treat. More emphasis on skin firming is required for treating soft cellulite.
Hard Cellulite
Hard cellulite is colloquially known as ‘orange peel’ and is characterised by depressions and blemishes. Hard cellulite is accompanied with firm skin and can be slightly painful to touch. More emphasis on fat reduction is required for treating hard cellulite.
Edematous Cellulite
Edematous cellulite is the least common type of cellulite that shows up most commonly in the calf and thighs. This type of cellulite is caused by poor circulation and fluid retention. Edematous cellulite feels ‘spongy’ when pressed and can be painful to touch.
If you struggle with cellulite, schedule a consultation with our doctors to discuss your cellulite removal treatment options today. Kindly note that due to PHMC regulations for clinics in Singapore, we are unable to share before and after photos for Cellulite Removal on digital platforms. Before/after photos can only be shown to patients during in-clinic consultation with the doctor.
