Cellulite is fat that has collected just underneath the surface of the skin. It gives the skin a dimpled, lumpy, cottage cheese or orange peel look and is usually found on hips, thighs and buttocks. For some, it’s only visible when you pinch the skin; others with more severe cases will tell you it’s visible no matter what. And while it can cause anxiety even when trying on bathing suits or shorts in private (let alone wearing them in public) it isn’t a serious medical condition. In fact, having cellulite is quite normal.

Who gets cellulite?

Those lucky enough to live cellulite-free have hit the genetic jackpot. The rest of us have a number of factors to “thank”:

• Gender. Women are more likely than men to have cellulite because women are more likely to store fat in their hips, thighs and buttocks and men generally have thicker skin.
• Genetics. Heredity plays a role, so women in the same family tend to have a similar degree of cellulite.
• Age. The older we get, the more elasticity our skin loses — making cellulite more visible.

If you do have it, then you’re in the majority: It’s estimated that at least eight out of 10 women have some form of cellulite. And not all of them are carrying extra weight — even lean people can have cellulite.

What you should do

Unfortunately, once you have cellulite, you can’t get rid of it — at least not yet. But you can take steps to help prevent its appearance. The secret lies in decreasing the amount of fat you carry and improving your circulation.

• Eat healthy and include lots of vegetables and fruits into your daily routine.
• Get more fibre in your diet.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
• Exercise regularly and increase your muscle tone.
• Stay at a healthy weight. While cellulite has nothing to do with your size, carrying extra weight may make it more noticeable.
• Don’t smoke.

Miracle cure or waste of money?

Remember that getting rid of cellulite simply isn’t possible. However, while therapies will reduce the appearance of cellulite, the effects are usually short-term and you’ll need regular, ongoing (and often expensive) treatments to keep up appearances. These include:

• Cellulite-specific massage
• Laser or light therapy
• Body wraps

And some can do more harm than good:

• Creams. Studies show that anti-cellulite creams are a waste of money. And, in some cases, they could cause rashes and other skin reactions.
• Liposuction. Liposuction is not a recommended treatment for cellulite and since this process removes fat just under the skin, it may actually make cellulite more noticeable.

The bottom line

While there’s no medical reason to seek treatment for cellulite, if you want the advice of a professional, speak to your healthcare provider, who may recommend a dermatologist who can help improve the appearance of your skin.