Health care practitioners don't consider cellulite a medical condition that requires treatment. But when it comes to your aesthetic appearance, cellulite--dimpled, lumpy skin on your thighs, hips and buttocks--can be a visual detractor. However, the National Institutes of Health says cellulite is a normal feature of most women and, less frequently, men.
How it Happens
To understand why cellulite forms, it's first helpful to understand the structure of how the outer layer of the skin is attached to underlying muscles. A layer of fat cells lies just beneath the skin, which is attached to the muscles with connective tissue. The thickness of this fat layer varies from one person to another and is dependent on the number of fat cells and the size of the cells. As fat cells press up against the skin's surface, the connective tissues continue to pull downward. This results in the rippled presentation noted on the skin.
Cellulite in Women
Women are more susceptible to cellulite because their connective tissue is organized in columns that better allows fat to bulge, rather than in an interwoven, net-shaped presentation as noted in men. The University of Maryland Medical Center says genetics largely determines if and when you'll get cellulite, a well as the degree to which it's noticeable. Other factors that may cause the connective tissues to weaken are hormones and pregnancy. But for some women, cellulite may simply be a part of the aging process.
What You Can Do
Keeping fit through daily exercise is probably your best weapon against cellulite, says the Mayo Clinic, although there are no guarantees. An August 2006 study conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons indicates that participants with a higher body mass index and more severe cellulite typically noticed the most improvement after losing a large amount of weight. Participants with a lower starting BMI noted that their cellulite became more pronounced after losing a smaller amount of weight.
Other Treatments
A promising cellulite treatment mentioned by the Mayo Clinic is one that combines negative tissue massage with lasers and radiofrequency systems, which can give results that last about six months after a series of treatments. However, a June 2009 New York Times article said studies indicate only a 25 percent to 50 percent improvement, suggesting there's still no definitive treatment for cellulite. The Mayo Clinic warns that liposuction may worsen cellulite.
Can You Prevent Cellulite?
Mayo Clinic experts say there's no way to prevent cellulite if it's your genetic lot in life to get it. However, the National Institutes of Health advises taking certain measures, which include eating a diet that consists of plenty of fruit, vegetables and fiber and drinking plenty of water. Avoiding "yo-yo" dieting and refraining from smoking may also help prevent cellulite from worsening.
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