Orange peel skin, also known as Peau d’orange, is the pitting or dimpling of the skin, similar to that of the orange fruit. It’s typically harmless, but can be a confidence buster, especially if it appears in the facial area.
The good news is that a skin and beauty center like Pure Skin Laser Center offers various treatments to reduce these puckered bumps. In this post, we discuss these treatment options alongside prevention tips to keep your skin smooth and free from pitting.
What is orange peel skin?
Orange peel skin refers to the puckered, dimpled, and rough appearance of the skin. You may notice it more when you pinch your skin or when it’s exposed to natural light.
Moreover, orange peel often occurs on the face, but it can also develop on other areas, such as the thighs, hips, buttocks, knees, upper arms, and lower abdomen.
Orange peel skin occurs when small pockets of fat underneath the skin push against it. In some cases, your fibrous bands pull down your skin, creating a dimpled and puckered appearance.
Orange peel isn’t really a medical condition, but a cosmetic issue. It doesn’t necessarily require treatment unless it starts to affect your self-esteem. The only exception is if an underlying health condition, such as edema, poor circulation, or hormonal imbalances, causes the orange peel-like pitting.
IMPORTANT WARNING: If you have skin dimpling or orange-peel-like bumps on your breast, you should get checked by a doctor right away.
What causes orange peel skin?
Orange peel-like pitting is often caused by changes beneath your skin. Some of the common culprits include the following:
- Cellulite. Cellulite is a condition where your skin appears dimpled and lumpy, resembling cottage cheese or orange peel, due to fat deposits pushing against the skin. It’s common among women and often develops on the buttons, thighs, lower abdomen, and upper arms.
- Aging. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and our connective tissues turn weaker. Aging also decreases the production of our skin’s collagen, making it looser and prone to bumps and dimples.
- Fluid retention. Also known as lymphedema, excess fluid causes swelling under the skin, resulting in uneven bumps on the surface. The swelling also stretches the skin, exposing irregularities, such as pitting and dimpling.
- Keratosis pilaris. Keratosis pilaris is a skin condition characterized by small bumps or goosebumps. This typically develops on the limbs, but children may also get them on their cheeks. With proper treatment, the bumps associated with keratosis pilaris will become less visible.
- Skin infections. Cellulitis, eczema, chronic dermatitis, and fungal infections can cause an orange peel-like skin texture with pitting. If you suspect a skin infection, we recommend consulting a medical professional for proper treatment.
How to get rid of orange peel skin
Some causes of orange peel skin can be treated with over-the-counter products or beauty center treatments. This includes pitting due to keratosis pilaris, cellulite, and the effects of aging. However, if your skin bumps are caused by an active infection or fluid retention, you should consult a licensed physician first.
Here are some of the potential orange peel skin treatments you consider:
1. Topical products
Over-the-counter topical products can help improve your orange peel skin. This is especially effective for mild pitting and dimpling, as it tightens the skin and improves skin texture.
The following are some of the most popular topical treatments for orange peel skin:
- Retinol. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative available in various concentrations. It can boost the skin’s elasticity and thickness, so it won’t be prone to pitting. If you’re new to retinol, start with the lowest concentration and work your way up as your skin adjusts to the treatment.
- Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps fight signs of skin aging while protecting against future damage. As with retinol, always start slow with vitamin C and use the lowest concentration to allow your skin to adjust.
- Glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is a widely used skincare ingredient that helps brighten and smooth skin. It has an exfoliating effect that can help reduce the orange peel appearance of the skin and promote skin renewal. Don’t mix glycolic acid with other active ingredients to avoid irritation.
2. Chemical peel
Facial peels exfoliate the surface of your skin to remove dead skin cells and gunk. At the same time, deep peels are effective in smoothing wrinkles, orange peel pitting, and uneven texture.
For orange peel, you may need a medium or deep peel that penetrates deep into the skin. Just remember that the deeper the peel is, the more invasive it will be. You should plan for downtime for deep peels to allow your skin to heal properly.
3. Botox
Botox can also reduce the appearance of orange peel-pitting by relaxing the muscles that contribute to skin dimpling. This is especially effective for orange peel on the chin, cheeks, and around the mouth.
Once injected into the pitted skin, Botox will temporarily relax the muscles, preventing them from making any movements. This way, your orange peel skin will not show up when making facial expressions.
Overall, you can expect to enjoy the Botox benefits for 3 to 6 months, with touch-up sessions available to maintain the results.
4. Dermal fillers
Due to aging, our face will lose its volume, making our cheeks, chin, and other areas sag. It also makes our skin prone to dimpling due to the hollowness beneath.
Through dermal fillers, you can restore this lost volume to stretch your skin and reduce the appearance of orange peel-like indentations. Some fillers also stimulate collagen production, which improves your skin’s firmness and texture.
However, like Botox, dermal filler results are temporary and typically last for about 6 months. Some filler types can last for 2 years or more, but you may need multiple injections.
5. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a treatment that uses a diamond-tipped wand to exfoliate dead skin cells. It’s also paired with topical products to moisturize and nourish the skin.
Overall, microdermabrasion promotes collagen production and reduces enlarged pores that contribute to the orange peel appearance.
However, microdermabrasion is only effective for superficial skin pitting. It doesn’t have much effect on deep dimpling or orange peel due to cellulite.
6. Microneedling
Microneedling is a popular skin treatment using a derma roller with tiny needles. It creates micro-injuries on your skin to trigger its healing response, including collagen production that makes the skin look younger.
Moreover, microneedling is effective in reducing the appearance of orange peel skin. The tiny needles used for this treatment can penetrate by as much as 3 mm, which allows them to target weak tissues and cellulite that cause your skin to dimple.
Please note that multiple microneedling sessions are required to achieve substantial improvements in your pitted skin. You can also pair microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) drawn from your own blood to nourish your skin.
Here’s orange peel skin before and after microneedling:
How to prevent orange peel skin
Did you know that you can stop orange peel before it occurs? If you don’t have pitted or dimpled skin yet, then now is the time to add these preventive habits to your routine:
- Keep your skin moisturized. Dry skin is one of the main culprits of skin aging. To keep your skin supple, you should always use a daily moisturizer that suits your skin type. Opt for gentle moisturizers free from harsh scents and colors.
- Always wear sunscreen. Sunscreen is your best friend when trying to avoid various skin problems. UV rays are extremely damaging to the skin, so be sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 for optimal protection.
- Start using retinol. If you’re in your late 20s or early 30s, it’s time to start incorporating retinol into your anti-aging regimen. Aside from delaying orange peel pitting, retinol can also slow down the formation of wrinkles, acne, and enlarged pores.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Rapid weight gain and weight loss increase your risk of developing skin dimpling and pitting. If you have to gain or lose weight, aim for a slow and steady weight management program.
- Avoid smoking & too much alcohol. Smoking damages our skin’s collagen and makes it less elastic. At the same time, excessive alcohol consumption increases skin inflammation, dehydration, and even reduces collagen production. Avoiding both can help keep your skin healthy and youthful.
- Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet works wonders on your overall health, especially your skin. As much as possible, avoid excessive consumption of processed foods and those high in salt and sugar. All these increase water retention and fat accumulation, which will make you prone to skin issues like orange peel.
Don’t let bumpy skin ruin your confidence. Our specialist can help!
Are you becoming self-conscious due to your bumpy, dimpled, and lumpy skin? We know how frustrating it can be, but you don’t have to let it ruin your confidence. Instead, you can contact us at Pure Skin Laser Center for a one-on-one consultation where we assess your skin and recommend the best treatment possible.
With over 10 years of aesthetic experience, we have treated hundreds of clients with orange peel skin concerns. Our state-of-the-art and FDA-cleared treatments could be the solution you’re looking for, so you can be more confident in your own skin again!
If you have questions or inquiries, feel free to contact us today. Let’s give you the smooth and flawless skin you deserve!
