Stage One

Blood microcirculation, venous flow, and/or lymphatic drainage to the subcutaneous layer are impaired.

Reduced blood microcirculation starves and weakens the surrounding tissue, making it more susceptible to cellulite. Reduced venous flow translates to higher fluid retention and pooling of the blood. Reduced lymphatic drainage means that lymph fluids, which normally carry waste away from the cells, are trapped in the area. The septae connective tissue may begin to become more fibrous.

In this stage, all of the changes are not visible to the naked eye. There may not be any other symptoms, with the possible exception of cuts and bruises taking longer to heal because of the impaired circulation.

Stage Two

Once circulation is lessened, the capillaries and veins become weakened and leak blood into the surrounding tissue. This increases the pressure in the tissue, and restricts circulation and fluid drainage even more.

In this stage, you may notice thicker and more tender skin than normal, as well as discoloration or broken veins. The skin may also bruise more easily. However, there is no appearance of the lumpy cellulite bumps yet.

Stage Three

After a few months of lymphatic fluid build up, the fat tissue become swollen and begin to push against the outer skin In this stage, the first signs of lumps and the "orange peel" look appear.

Stage Four

The stagnant lymphatic fluid cause the fibrous septae to congeal into thicker fibers. Cells starved of oxygen and nutrients may also become incorporated into these fibers, thus adding to the fibers' thickness.

These fibers begin to trap and squeeze the fat cells, which press on the surrounding tissue and reduce even more circulation in the area. Because of the lack of circulation, the skin may feel cold to the touch.

Stage Five

Because of the high pressure, blood circulation is re-routed around the cellulite area. Septae fibers continue to grow to an extent that the fat cells are completely trapped. Although fat continues to be stored in these cells, it is not efficiently removed from it (through exercise or diet) because of the poor circulation.

In this stage, the thick fibers, trapped fat cells, and stagnant fluids form a huge honeycomb structure called steatomes. This causes large lumps and bumps that are the hallmarks of cellulite.

Stomach

Cellulite on the stomach, especially in the lower portion, are thought to be linked to digestive disorders. Indeed, many women with stomach cellulite have irritable bowel, constipation, or liver disorders.

Neck

Constant stress is thought to increase the likelihood of a cellulite accumulation or fatty lump in the back of the neck. Prolonged stress can manifest in tension in neck muscle, leading to misaligned vertebrae and inflammed tissue. In turn, this inflammation can cause fluid retention which can lead to cellulite formation.

Upper Arm

Cellulite in the upper arm usually occurs in older women, and is usually associated with cellulite in the leg. It is thought to be triggered by reduced venous flow or impaired vein systems in the arm.

Front of the thigh

Cellulite that occurs on the front of the thighs deserves a special mention. This form of cellulite is usually harder lumps caused by too much leg exercise, in addition to reduced circulation and increased fluid drainage. Moreover, this form of cellulite is also commonly seen in men as well as women.

Genetics

The predisposition to cellulite seems to be genetically inherited. Some people simply have more fat cells, weak veins, fragile lymphatic vessels, poor circulation or hormonal sensitivity.

Furthermore, lifestyles that encourage cellulite formation or exacerbate its condition, such as poor diet habit, lack of exercise, and smoking seem to be learned behaviors.

Female Hormones

Cellulite affects many more women than men. This is thought to be because of two main reasons - the first is that women's fibrous septae structures are mesh-like, and therefore are more prone to trapping fat cells. Men's septae structure, on the other hand, are smooth.

The second biggest reason is the presence of female sex hormones in women: estrogen and progesterone.

Estrogen plays a large part in determining the number and location of fat cells in the body. It encourages fat cells to develop and grow around the breasts, thighs, and buttocks. Progesterone can lead to fluid retention, weak veins, and weight gain.

In ways that are not yet fully understood, both estrogen and progesterone can stimulate the development of cellulite. In periods of rapid growth, such as in puberty and pregnancy, stretch marks on the buttocks, legs, and thighs, suggest deposition of fat tisses and rapid growth. In some people, stretch marks often precede the formation of cellulite.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy means drastic changes in a woman's body that can often lead to cellulite. During this period, there is increased fluid retention and a surge of hormones. These hormones also weaken connective tissues, including those in the walls of the veins and lymphatic vessels.

The growing womb, which presses down on the veins and lymph vessels, cause a reduction circulation and lymph drainage.

Stress

Prolonged stress and the associated increased surge of adrenaline, can actually lead to increased fat storage in the stomach, hips, buttocks, and thighs.

Sedentary Lifestyle

An inactive or sedentary lifestyle can adversely affect blood circulation, as well as the venous and lymphatic systems. The veins and lymph vessels rely on muscle contractions to help move venous blood and lymphatic fluids, respectively.

Without movement, the stagnant venous blood and lymphatic fluids exert pressure and stretch the veins and lymph vessels. Over-stretched veins and vessels are prone to fluid retention, leaking, and poor circulation.

An inactive lifestyle can also lead to weight gain, which can make cellulite worse.

Smoking

Everyone knows that smoking is a health hazard. But it is not widely known that cigarette smoking can also lead to cellulite.

Cigarette smoke contains free radicals or highly charged oxygen molecules that are very damaging to vein and capillary walls, causing inflammation and leaking. Furthermore, cigarette's nicotine is a vasoconstrictor and can also cause small blood vessels to constrict, and thus reduce microcirculation.

Liposuction and Pelvic Surgery

Liposuction can be an effective means of reshaping the body. Indeed, this cosmetic procedure was once thought to cure cellulite. However, liposuction performed on some areas of the body, such as the outer thighs can actually damage the network of capillaries and and lymph vessels. This causes reduces microcirculation and over time, cellulite may develop.

Similarly, pelvic surgery such as a hysterectomy and sterilization can result in the disruption of the lymphatic system and the formation of fibrous scar tissues.

Harsh Massages

If done improperly or too harshly, massages can damage the fragile network of lymphatic vessels in the leg. Broken lymph vessels can cause waste-laden lymph fluids to drain into the surrounding tissues, and trigger the chain of events leading to cellulite.

Enlarged Lymph Nodules

The lymphatic system is composed of a series of vessels and nodes. These nodes act as filters to clean impurities from the lymphatic fluid.

Certain conditions, such as chronic pelvic inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic bowel and constipation, can lead to the enlargement of these nodes as they prepare to filter out infections and toxins. As a result, there the flow of the lymphatic fluid slows down, causing fluid retention which can lead to cellulite.

Obesity

Although thin people are not immune, obese people are more prone to getting cellulite, which is a form of fat after all. In an overweight body, fat accumulation also pushes the cellulite in the subcutaneous layer outward and worsens the appearance of cellulite.

Sometimes, the effort of losing weight can lead to more harm than good. For example, yo-yo dieting can lead to increased tendency of fat cells to store fat and enlarge, as well as create a resistance to shrinking.