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508 S. Habana Ave
Suite 335
Tampa, Florida 33609.
Phone 813.877.6000
Fax 813.877.6002

Skin Care Tips

Skin Care

About Cellulite

Fat comes in a variety shapes and sizes and perhaps its most unattractive and dreaded incarnation is cellulite.

What does cellulite look like?

Cellulite is fat that shows up as dimpled or puckered skin. It may be mild, only appearing when the skin is pinched, or more severe, causing bumpy or rumpled looking skin over larger areas. Many women experience cellulite on their thighs, hips, buttocks. Cellulite can also appear on the lower stomach or upper arms. Cellulite is often said to look like cottage cheese or the skin of an orange.

Who gets cellulite?

Anyone can have cellulite. Both men and women may experience cellulite, but it's far more common in women. This is because women tend to accumulate fat on the thighs, hips and buttocks, areas that are most susceptible to cellulite. In fact, most women - as many as 80% - have some amount of cellulite visible on their bodies. While people who are overweight may have more visible cellulite, it can also be present on leaner people as well.

Cellulite tends to run in the family, so your genetics may play the biggest role whether or not you develop cellulite, regardless of your weight. Other facts that can contribute to cellulite include stress, an inactive lifestyle, decreased skin elasticity, aging, and using hormonal contraceptives.

What causes cellulite?

Cellulite is something that some men and almost all women battle. It can be unsightly and can affect how people feel about their bodies.

The fat on your body that resembles cottage cheese or an orange peel is cellulite. What you're seeing as dimpled skin is actually the fibrous cords that connect the skin to your muscles. Your body's fat lies between your skin and your muscles. As fat cells accumulate, they push up on the skin. At the same time, the cords pull more tightly down on the skin, causing the dimpling effect. As skin loses elasticity, as frequently happens with age, cellulite can become more visible. Imagine the puckering that occurs if you pull a thread too tightly through thick fabric. This is essentially the effect that is causing the appearance of cellulite.

Can cellulite be treated?

Cellulite is not a serious medical condition that requires treatment. However, some people are unhappy with the way it looks and there are solutions available to decrease the appearance of cellulite. Although there are a variety of creams and lotions available on the market that promise to reduce or eliminate cellulite, there is no scientific evidence supporting these claims. If you're interested in actual results, you should call your doctor, dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon.