Regardless of whether you're young, old, fat or thin, cellulite doesn't discriminate. Women are more susceptible to cellulite simply because of their gender, which determines how the connective bands of tissue attach their skin to their underlying muscle. The Mayo Clinic states that around eight of 10 women have cellulite, so if you have it, you fall within the vast majority. While there are methods to temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite, unfortunately, there's no permanent cure for dreaded "orange peel" skin.
Formation
When cellulite forms, the structure of the skin is permanently altered. In between the skin and the muscle are fibrous connective cords, with fat lying somewhere in between. As fat builds up, it bumps up against the skin's surface at the same time connective tissues are pulling down, resulting in bulges. This accounts for the dimpled effect on the skin's surface, says the Mayo Clinic. Because everyone has layers of fat just under their skin, even slender people can get cellulite. The National Institutes of Health notes that cellulite is most often noted on the thighs, buttocks and hips.
Considerations
Several factors make women far more likely to get cellulite than their male counterparts. According to the New York Times, this is because of the difference between the construction of the connective tissues in women and men. The bands of connective tissue in men's skin have a net-like pattern, which allows fat to be distributed more evenly. Women, on the other hand, have connective tissue bands that form vertically, which better allows fat to "bulge." Female hormones also come into play as well; estrogen causes women to have more fat than men.
Risk Factors
Cellulite can simply be a family trait. The Mayo Clinic indicates that your genetics may be the deciding factor in if you get cellulite and, if so, how much. But cellulite is also associated with growing older. As skin ages, it loses its elasticity. Other factors linked to cellulite are stress, use of birth control pills, a sedentary lifestyle and "yo-yo" dieting.
Prevention
There's no way to prevent getting cellulite, states the Mayo Clinic, but exercising, losing weight and building good muscle tone can reduce the appearance of cellulite. The NIH also advises eating a healthy diet, maintaining a stable weight, drinking plenty of water and not smoking.
Medical Treatments
Aside from losing weight, the Mayo Clinic notes that treatment for cellulite is extremely limited but does mention two therapies that combine tissue massage with either diode laser energy or radiofrequency and infrared light that can temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite for up to six months. In 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared a device called the VelaShape, which is used to provide a series of in-office cellulite treatments. One treatment that is ineffective in treating cellulite is liposuction. But in some cases, liposuction may make cellulite more pronounced, warns the Mayo Clinic.
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