Cellulite is a form of fat beneath the skin's surface that commonly appears in areas such as the hips, buttocks and thighs. Although medically harmless, the appearance of this fatty layer can cause social discomfort and affect clothing choices and options. Because of its physical properties and method of formation, cellulite may be difficult or impossible to eliminate once it appears.
Cellulite Formation
Visible cellulite forms when alterations occur in the normal structure of collagen, a connective tissue beneath your skin, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus. Examples of these alterations include unusual tightness, stretching or breakdown of collagen fibers. The gaps created by collagen fiber alteration allow the fat layer on nearby muscles to bulge through, producing the characteristic skin dimples associated with cellulite.
Cellulite Factors
You may be born with a tendency for cellulite development, Medline Plus notes. Additional factors that may contribute to the formation of cellulite include slow body metabolism, hormonal changes, nutritionally poor diet, dehydration and use of scientifically unproven dietary programs. Since everyone has the fat layer that forms cellulite, you may develop the condition regardless of your weight or degree of thinness.
Medical Perspective
Medical professionals generally look at cellulite formation as a normal fact of life for large numbers of women, as well as for some men, Medline Plus explains. Although the presence of cellulite can cause stress or social anxiety, the condition itself poses no known health risks. Once you develop cellulite deposits, they will likely remain in some form for the rest of your life.
Treatment Claims
Although many products claim to eliminate cellulite, they typically have little or no long-term effect and come with a general lack of supporting scientific evidence, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you undergo a form of vigorous massage called lipomassage, you may notice some improvements in the appearance of your cellulite immediately after treatment; however, as a rule, these improvements do not last. Use of mesotherapy, a treatment option that uses an injected solution purported to eliminate cellulite, may produce side effects that include bumpy skin, rashes and infection. Similarly, use of cellulite creams provides minimal treatment benefit while exposing you to side effects such as rashes or other adverse skin reactions.
Liposuction
Liposuction is another popular treatment for cellulite that typically produces no beneficial effects, the Mayo Clinic reports. In this method, surgeons use a tube inserted through an incision in your skin to suck out fat cells. However, liposuction cannot suck out cellulite and, in many cases, a liposuction procedure will leave you with forms of cellulite that appear worse than they did in the first place.
Considerations
You can potentially improve the appearance of cellulite by losing weight and strengthening the muscles in your legs, the Mayo Clinic notes. You may also gain cellulite improvements that last as long as six months with treatments that use lasers or radiofrequency devices.Medline Plus lists tips for cellulite prevention that include avoiding smoking, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, avoiding weight fluctuations and eating plenty of fiber, fruits and vegetables.
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