What Is Cellulite? Why Does Cellulite Form?

Cellulite is not a medical term at all. The term “cellulite” was made up to refer to the dimples of fat some people accumulate over the years. Cellulite is plain old body fat that is mixed in with connective tissue. The connective tissue under the skin is made up of fibrous bands called septae. These septae that connect the skin to the muscle underneath become stiff and contract as we age. As the septae contract, the fat deep in the connective tissue is squeezed outward. The result is the skin appears to have a dimpled appearance. Thus cellulite is formed.

There are several reasons cellulite appears in women more often than men. First, the fibrous septae structure is different in men than women, also women have thinner skin making this formation of fat easier to see. And of course women have more body fat than men to begin with. About 85-90% of women develop this cellulite. I found a marvelous slide show explaining cellulite. Click on this LINK and then the arrow keys if you want to see a visual simulation of what cellulite really is, how it forms, and what may help.

So what can be done about cellulite? There have been plenty of products advertising cellulite removal. I think it is important not to be confused into believing there is a foolproof treatment for cellulite. First off, a healthy diet and exercise regime will help you minimize the amount of fat on your body in general, and that is all cellulite is, fat. However, even then there can be tough pockets of fat that have that corrugated appearance. Liposuction is not the remedy for cellulite. Liposuction can even make cellulite more obvious by removing the smooth adipose fat just beneath the skin and exposing the cellulite. Unfortunately there are no real cures for cellulite. So don’t be fooled into expensive treatments.

Ultimately there is no sure fire way to remove cellulite. So beware of enticing miracle treatments. Here at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center, Arkansas, I offer an array of cosmetic procedures.

Feel free to call Melinda at the front desk for your consultation with me. 501-277-0707