Anybody can develop this pesky skin situation: It appears when collagen fibers that bind fat to the skin stretch and tear, allowing fat cells to expand. Learn more about cellulite and your body, especially how to get rid of those annoying marks once and for all (or at least how to make them less noticeable).
Cellulite Is Not Fat
Don’t get the two confused: Cellulite is just the dimples and bumps that are seen when fat is divided into tiny pockets in the skin
It’s More Common in Women Than in Men
How unfair is this? Women’s skin collagen is arranged in parallel rows, like pillars. This pattern lends itself to the compartmentalization of fat, which makes cellulite visible, says Schulman. Men’s collagen, however, is arranged in an X-pattern. This creates only very small fat compartments and doesn’t allow for dimpling of the skin.
OTC Creams May Help
Be on the lookout for products that have caffeine or retinol: Caffeine stimulates blood flow and temporarily shrinks fat cells, while retinol helps repair cells over time, says Francesca Fusco, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Experts suggest applying a cream with retinol first, followed by one with caffeine. Keep in mind, though, that these won’t actually get rid of cellulite.