Cellulite is permanent, according to the Mayo Clinic, but a variety of remedies can improve its unsightly appearance and in one case, the improvement lasts for months. Unfortunately, many treatments claim to do this and don't deliver results. No research supports the effectiveness of any procedure long-term.
Definition
Cellulite is the bumpy, lumpy fat that most often appears on your hips, buttocks and thighs. The Mayo Clinic indicates that as many as 80 percent of all women have it to some extent, and it is more common in women than in men. It is permanent because of its source -- fibrous tissue that exists between your skin and your muscle and holds everything in place. Many treatments propose to remove the fat involved in cellulite, but this doesn't affect the tissue cords that are at the root of the problem.
Causes
In between your skin and your muscle is a layer of fat. According to the Mayo Clinic, the fat layer pushes up against the skin while the fibrous cords pull the skin down. The result is the uneven appearance of cellulite, with some spots of skin depressed while others are raised. The contributing factors -- fat and metabolism -- are inherited to some extent, and there is no way to eradicate genetics.
Natural Remedies
If you are overweight, losing some of the fat gathered between your skin and your muscle layer is the best and most long-term treatment for cellulite, assuming you keep the weight off, according to the Mayo Clinic. There are also indications that deep massage can increase blood flow and reduce the fluid content of cellulite, affecting its appearance, at least on a short-term basis.
Treatments
Laser therapy can produce results for up to six months, according to the Mayo Clinic. It involves a series of treatments combining tissue massage and infrared light. The website Get Rid Cellulite reports an 83 percent improvement rate, depending on the exact method used, at a typical cost of about $1,500.
Mesotherapy injects a solution under the skin to even it out. The solution might include hormones, herbal extracts or enzymes. Unfortunately, it can backfire and make your skin appear more uneven. Get Rid Cellulite indicates that the FDA does not regulate this treatment and it can cost up to $4,000.
Many cellulite creams are available for purchase but there is no proof that they are effective and they can cause skin reaction.
According to the Mayo Clinic, liposuction is not effective. It removes deep fat from the cellulite location but the upper layers of fat are not affected. When too much fat is artificially removed, it can make the appearance of cellulite even worse.
Prevention
You can't stop cellulite from happening if you are predisposed to it, but the more fat you carry, the more likely cellulite is to appear, according to the Mayo Clinic. Maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise can help hold obvious cellulite at bay.
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