As many as eight out of every 10 women have cellulite, reports MayoClinic.com. If you've got those telltale dimples on your rear, thighs or hips, chances are good you'd like to see them go away. The bad news is there's no cure for cellulite. The good news is that there are several ways you can make it less apparent.
The Facts
Your cellulite is caused when fat cells beneath the skin push through the lattice-like network of muscle tendons just beneath the surface of your skin, causing dimpled lumps and bumps to form. Though you can increase your risk for developing cellulite by being overweight, not getting enough physical activity or taking hormonal birth control, the most likely cause of cellulite is your genetics, which can't be changed.
Significance
There is no standard measurement for cellulite, so it can be hard to measure whether your cellulite has improved, says Lisa M. Donofrio, an assistant professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine and Tulane University School of Medicine. And there's no evidence that cellulite can be cured for good, Donofrio adds. There are, however, several things you can do to make your cellulite look a little better.
At-Home Treatments
At-home treatments can temporarily improve the appearance of cellulite, but you'll need to keep applying your product to maintain results. The most effective at-home remedy is a skin cream that contains caffeine, says Linda Wells, editor-in-chief of "Allure" magazine. Because caffeine flushes out liquid and speeds up circulation, it can fix cellulite in the short term. Exercises that target your glutes, like climbing stairs, and reducing your overall salt intake can also help make your cellulite less obvious, says Marsha Gordon, a consulting dermatologist for St. Ives.
Professional Treatments
Like home remedies, professional treatments for cellulite need to be repeated to maintain their results -- but they may last for a few days or weeks instead of just a few hours. According to MayoClinic.com, twice-weekly cellulite treatments using lasers and radiofrequency systems can improve the appearance of cellulite for as long as six months. A type of vigorous massage called endermologie can temporarily redistribute fat to make cellulite less obvious.
Misconceptions
Though many people associate cellulite with carrying extra pounds, losing weight won't make your cellulite disappear. In fact, even people that maintain a healthy weight or are underweight can develop cellulite. So while losing weight and improving muscle tone in your cellulite trouble spots may tighten up skin enough to make cellulite less noticeable, weight loss won't completely fix the problem.
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