About Cellulite

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By Kendra Dahlstrom
eHow Contributing Writer

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Cellulite is a natural occurrence in women of all ages. It is caused by an upper layer of protruding fat. Since women traditionally have thinner skin, it is easy to see the effects. Usually cellulite is found on the buttocks, thighs and stomach, but it can appear virtually anywhere there is skin.

The Facts

Occurring in mostly women, quite simply, cellulite is the upper layer of fat pushing against the connective tissue under the skin. Men tend to have thicker skin, which prevents the appearance of cellulite. They also have less fat beneath the connective tissue, in general. Once cellulite appears it never completely disappears. Although you can try to prevent additional cellulite from forming, you will have to come to terms with the existing batch.

Type

There are two types of cellulite. Almost all females have one or the other. Many women, however, have both types. The first type is called compression cellulite. This is caused when pressure is placed on a particular part of the body. For example, if you sit down in a chair, the skin by the upper thighs is compressed and many times, cellulite appears out of nowhere. The second type is labeled as traditional cellulite. The lumpy appearance of fat is visible even when there is not compression on a particular part of the body.

Expert Insight

There are many methods and products on the market today that claim to get rid of cellulite. Liposuction is one of the most invasive because fat is literally sucked out of your body with a long needle. Many doctors, however, say that liposuction does nothing to get rid of cellulite because it only removes deep tissue fat as opposed to the first layer of fat, which causes the appearance of cellulite.

Misconceptions

There are many products and treatments available that promise cellulite reduction. Although some of these products temporarily work, they will not get rid of the appearance of cellulite for good. One method is a type of massage usually performed at spas. It is popular belief that these massages can make cellulite disappear. According to kidshealth.org, however, they are simply deep tissue massages that make your tissue swell. This masks the appearance of cellulite temporarily, but not for good.

Time Frame

Cellulite does get worse as you age. The dermis, the under layer of skin through which the fat protrudes, reaches maximum thickness by the age of 30. Also, as women age, some of the elastic fibers begin to break while collagen breaks down. This is a natural part of life, but it does worsen the appearance of cellulite.