Cellulite is just excess fat
Cellulite involves fat, because bulging fat cells are part of the equation, but it’s really the connective fibers between your skin and muscle that create the lumpy, dimpling effect. “Collagen fiber strands that attach skin to muscle are creating the pockets of skin,
Only an unlucky few get cellulite
Brace yourself—if you have cellulite, you are one of hundreds of millions of women in the U.S. who’s cursing her luck on that front. “The majority of women have some form of cellulite on their body,” says Dr. Lucas. “From what I’ve seen, it’s 80 to 98 percent of women.”
Although men experience cellulite much less frequently, at least 10 percent of them have it, too. “Men have fibrous bands that run more parallel with the skin surface,” says Lisa Donofrio, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and Associate Clinical Professor at the Yale University School of Medicine. “Women have bands that run perpendicular, thus causing the telltale dimpling.”
Cellulite only happens to older people
While cellulite does increase with age, even young people can shows signs of the dreaded dimpling. “There is no age exception,” says Dr. Lucas.Genetics, hormones, and body make-up—where you store excess fat—determine cellulite formation, she adds.
Older women have a few factors working against them in terms of smooth skin. “Loss of integrity and thickness of the skin, increased cumulative sun damage, skin laxity, and increased body fat all play a role,” says Dr. Donofrio. “Plus, there is evidence that the fibrous bands get thicker and stiffer with age.”
Losing weight will make cellulite disappear
If you’re not building muscle, eating a healthful diet low in processed carbohydrates and sugar, and staying hydrated, weight loss may exacerbate cellulite. “Most experts agree the best way to reduce and eliminate the [bulging] of subcutaneous fat within connective tissue isaerobic exercise and weight training,” says Shane Allen, a certified weight loss specialist, personal trainer, and sports nutritionist atPersonalTrainerFood.com. “Strengthening the fibrous connective tissue under the skin helps regain elasticity, which makes the appearance of cellulite less prevalent.”
And especially don’t turn to liposuction. Even if you had $10,000 at your disposal, this fat-sucking procedure can worsen the appearance of your cellulite. “The problem is, even if you get rid of deeper fat, you’re not addressing the top part of fat,” says Dr. Lucas. “It’s not addressing the puckering.