Cellulite is a dimpling of the skin's surface. According to the Mayo Clinic, most women have cellulite somewhere on the body. The most cellulite-prone areas include the butt, thighs and hips. There is a misconception that cellulite is a skin condition exclusive to overweight women. Cellulite has other causes, and risk factors are prevalent among both women and men of all ages.
Symptoms
Cellulite looks like dimples on the skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, cellulite occurs when fat cells become trapped between the skin and muscles. This creates tension within the skin, causing the dimples. In minor cases, the cellulite appears as small bumps. Widespread cellulite toughens the appearance of the skin and can make the particular area look lumpy.
Weight Gain
Cellulite is more prominent if you gain weight. Whether or not you had cellulite before gaining weight, it is more noticeable as body fat increases. The Mayo Clinic explains that cellulite can occur if you are within your normal weight range, but a sedentary lifestyle further enhances the risk. Pregnancy also increases the risk of cellulite in women, as fat naturally accumulates in the hips, butt and thighs during this time.
Aging
Your risk of developing cellulite increases as you age. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is attributed to a decrease in skin elasticity. There are anti-aging serums and lotions that promise an increase in skin elasticity. Such products might temporarily decrease the appearance of cellulite but do not banish the dimples for good.
Other Causes
The more fat you have on the body, the more susceptible you are to developing cellulite on your trouble spots. On the other hand, cellulite can afflict anyone of any body type, regardless of whether you are overweight or not. There are other factors that put you at risk of developing cellulite. According to Kids Health, women are more likely to have cellulite than men. Heredity and age also play a role. If cellulite runs in your family, you are at a great risk of having it, or developing it as you get older. The Mayo Clinic reports that oral contraceptives also increase your risk of cellulite development.
Prevention/Solution
There are some causes of cellulite that you cannot control, such as your genes. However, if cellulite is attributed to weight gain, there are steps you can take to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Kids Health recommends losing weight and engaging in regular exercise. Over-the-counter creams might reduce cellulite's appearance, but such solutions do not completely eliminate the skin condition. Furthermore, the Mayo Clinic reports that cosmetic treatments such as liposuction do not permanently remove cellulite and can actually make it worse.
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