Definition:
Cellulite is unsightly fat visible on the skin. Cellulite is dimpled in appearance and can be typically seen on the hips, thighs, and buttocks of women.
Diagnosis:
There is no diagnostic test necessary to determine cellulite. Cellulites can be easily identified by looking at the affected skin or area.
Treatment:
There are a wide variety of cellulite treatments to date, ranging from massages to topical creams, but these methods have little documented success. Losing weight through regular physical exercise and a healthy diet is probably the only proven beneficial cellulite treatment. Although weight loss cannot completely eliminate cellulite, it can make them less noticeable. Recently, modern techniques such as laser therapy and radiofrequency systems are gaining ground as effective therapies for cellulite.
Symptoms and Signs:
Cellulite appears as dimpled or bumpy skin resembling an orange peel or cottage cheese texture. Severity of symptoms ranges from mild cases wherein cellulite is only visible when the skin is pinched, to severe cases in which the skin appears obviously rumpled and bumpy with expansive peaks and valleys. Cellulite is commonly observed in the buttocks, hips, and thighs, but may also occur in the lower abdomen, breasts, or upper arms. Most adult women have cellulite at some point in their lives.
Causes:
Cellulite develops when fat cells accumulate, pushing up and putting pressure against the skin surface, while fibrous connective cords that connect the skin to the underlying muscle are pulling down in the opposite direction. The opposing pressure on skin results in an uneven surface or dimpled texture.
The information on this site is for research purposes only and can not substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Ailments.com is not run by doctors and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Our site is not a medical authority, it is just a research tool for you to use in preparation for consulting with a doctor. We can not guarantee our information is accurate or up to date. Even if a statement made about a medical condition is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms, so you should always consult a doctor. Nothing on our site should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
