Those ugly, cottage-cheese-like bumps on your thighs may make you feel self-conscious about appearing in public in shorts or a bathing suit if you are a woman. MayoClinic.com says that at least eight out of 10 women have some degree of cellulite. While cellulite may be unattractive, it is not a sign of a serious health problem. Losing weight and undergoing laser therapy can help reduce cellulite if you feel uncomfortable about your appearance.
Identification
The Kids Health website says that cellulite is the name for the collection of fat that pushes against the connective tissue below the skin, causing a dimpled, puckered or lumpy appearance. If you only have a mild case of cellulite, you may not even notice it unless you pinch or manipulate your skin. But cellulite may be obvious if you have a moderate to severe case. Cellulite may appear in the lower areas of the body, including the buttocks, thighs or stomach in women.
Why Women?
MayoClinic.com says that cellulite is a problem for women because fat is typically distributed in women in the thighs, buttocks and hips. While being a woman increases your chances of developing cellulite, other factors also play a role. Being overweight can make cellulite more noticeable, but thin women may also develop dimpling of the skin. If female relatives have a large amount of cellulite, then you may also develop the same pattern of cellulite, since the condition tends to run in families.
Other Risk Factors
Although being a woman is the greatest risk factor for developing cellulite, your chances of developing cellulite may increase due to several additional factors. MayoClinic.com says that using hormonal contraceptives, leading an inactive lifestyle and experiencing stress can contribute to the development of cellulite.
Laser Treatment
Losing weight can improve cellulite, but if weight loss doesn't make a difference or if you are not overweight, laser therapy may help reduce cellulite. Laser energy targets fat deposits under the skin that cause dimpling and skin surface irregularity, according to the DermaNetwork website. Laser therapy is accompanied with massage to help break up cellulite cell membranes. While massage on its own can cause a slight improvement in cellulite, MayoClinic.com says that results are typically short-lived.
Warning
Creams advertised to treat cellulite may be ineffective because they cannot reach the layers of fat under the skin that cause cellulite. Injecting a mixture of vitamins, hormones and herbal extracts under the skin in an effort to reduce cellulite may not be a good idea. MayoClinic.com says that the practice, called mesotherapy, may cause rashes, infections and uneven or bumpy skin contours. Liposuction may also be suggested as a cellulite treatment, but the American Academy of Dermatology cautions that although liposuction removes excess fat, it doesn't improve the appearance of cellulite and may make cellulite look worse by creating more depressions in the skin.
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