Cellulite

There are a number of rumors floating around about what exactly is cellulite.  Cellulite is simply normal fat. Cellulite appears to be bumpy due to the fact that it is pushing through the connective tissues that normally maintain the distribution of it evenly beneath the skin.  Cellulite has also been referred to as “orange peel.” So, if you ever hear anyone refer to something awful called “Orange peel” you can be safe to assume it’s not the fruit they are speaking of.  In fact, some people even refer to cellulite creams as “orange peel creams.”

The term cellulite is often used to describe the dimpled appearance of the skin that causes women (and a very small portion of men) to appear on their hips, thighs, and buttocks. Women have cellulite more than men because of variances in the way fat, muscle, and connective tissue are distributed in their respective skin. The plumpness of cellulite is made visible by fat deposits that push and distort the connective tissues beneath skin, leading to the visual and characteristic changes in how the skin appears to the human eye.

Many factors play a role in whether you will develop cellulite in your life time, including:  total body fat, age, and your genetics.

John Morgan, MD, a dermatologist in Columbia, S.C., estimates that about 85% of women have some cellulite.

However, thin women cannot be assured to escape cellulite, as it is equally able to take over their bodies in the same fashion it does to women considered obese.