Cellulite is a harmless condition of the skin which occurs mainly on the thighs, hips, abdomen and buttocks. As most of us know, it is common, especially in women, and looks like dimpled, lumpy skin.
While beauty standards are always evolving (we like to think for the better!), it’s undeniable that one of the most common fitness goals is still getting rid of cellulite. Yes, we get it. We’ve all been told through pop culture, media depictions of the “ideal” body, and maybe even our friends and family that cellulite is ugly. But the truth is that it really is, Really normal, and for many women, inevitable. So why are we still spending our time and money trying to get rid of it? Ahead, read what experts in the field want you to know about cellulite, and what you can (and can’t) do about it.
Almost all women have it.
“Cellulite is an extremely common concern for women, it affects 80 to 90 percent of women and about 10 percent of men,” he says Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, a Long Island-based plastic surgeon. “Cellulite is considered normal and very, very common,” she emphasizes. Most people think cellulite is just fat, but it’s a little more complicated than that.
What causes cellulite?
Cellulite is real caused by fibrous bonds that run through your fat and pull on the fascia that lies beneath your skin, creating a dimpled appearance, meaning it’s not just the accumulation of fat, but rather the structure of the fat that causes it.
You can thank your DNA.
There’s a reason only 10 percent of men have cellulite. It turns out that most women get cellulite because of the way our bodies are built, which makes it even more infuriating that conventional beauty standards tell us we shouldn’t have it. “It has to do with hormones and the way men’s connective tissue is created versus women’s,” she explains. Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist based in New Jersey. First, hormones: Women have higher levels of estrogen (duh), to which fat cells respond differently than male hormones. As we age, estrogen increases, exacerbating the problem. Then there is the building block. “Men’s connective tissue is more interwoven than women’s,” explains Dr. Lolis. “Think of men’s connective tissue like the mesh on a screen door—it’s harder for fat to get through—whereas women’s connective tissue is not as tightly formed, leaving more room for fat to expand.” Thanks, science!
And as for why some women have cellulite on their arms and stomach while others only have cellulite on their buttocks and thighs? You guessed it: Genetics! Obviously, there’s nothing you can do to change your genes, so you don’t have to spend precious energy wondering why some people get cellulite in certain places and others don’t.
It is only loosely related to your weight.
There’s a misconception that losing weight is the best way to get rid of cellulite, but that’s only partially true, experts say. “If a person’s weight is above their recommended BMI and is ‘overweight,’ then weight loss may be beneficial in reducing cellulite,” she explains. Kally Papantoniou, MD, a dermatologist practicing in the New York area. “If you’re at your ideal weight, losing more weight probably won’t improve the appearance of cellulite.”
And while living a healthy lifestyle is amazing for many other reasons, it’s safe to say that reducing cellulite doesn’t rank anywhere near the top. “A good diet, getting enough rest, avoiding cigarettes and sun exposure, and moderate alcohol consumption are great lifestyle choices, but they won’t significantly improve your cellulite,” she says. Stephen Warren, MDplastic and reconstructive surgeon based in New York.
However, a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats and whole grains combined with plenty of water can help reduce inflammation and water retention and prevent dehydration, which can help improve skin appearance.
Exercise can help, but it’s not a guarantee.
It’s true that exercise can have some effect on cellulite, but it’s certainly not the cure-all. “Daily exercise will help, but only when it’s focused on building muscle,” says Dr. Lolis. This means that cardio is *not* the cellulite solution it was once advertised to be. “Most women notice cellulite on their thighs and buttocks, so squats, lunges, even things like Zumba, Barre Motion, exercise bands and resistance training will help.” However, she’s careful to point out that exercise isn’t a guaranteed way to get rid of the stuff.
Fit women have it too.
Even professional trainers accept cellulite as a part of life as a woman. “Exercise won’t get rid of cellulite, because aging will happen no matter what, but it can reduce its appearancesays Sandy Liang, CPT, personal trainer at Crunching. “With adequate exercise, you’ll reduce your body fat percentage, gain lean muscle mass, and your body will ultimately look more toned and toned, reducing the obvious appearance of cellulite.” But it will still be there, he says. “I have cellulite myself, along with many fitness trainers and models I’ve met. You just might not notice it because you’re so focused on how strong and fit their legs look!”
Luckily, we have fit, body pos models like Iskra Lawrence and Ashley Graham who are shattering that stereotype by showing the world that yes, you can hit the gym and have cellulite—and there’s nothing wrong with that.
There is no miracle cure.
You’ve probably seen creams, gadgets and tools that are supposed to get rid of cellulite completely. Bad news: They don’t work. Foam rolling, for example, is sometimes touted as an all-natural way to reduce cellulite, but its effects (on cellulite, at least) are temporary at best. As for lotions and creams, “unfortunately, there are no miracle creams that have been proven to effectively treat cellulite,” says Dr. Greenberg. “While some creams contain high levels of caffeine, algae and collagen, for example, these products consistently fall short of their promise of smooth, blemish-free skin.” Most of these products work by tightening the top layer of skin, according to Dr. Lol, but after a few hours their effects wear off.
Retinol creams, particularly those containing up to 0.3% retinol, have shown some promise. From retinol thickens the skin, can help reduce the visibility of cellulite. Keep in mind that this type of product takes time – it can take up to six months to see results from retinol creams.
Even surgery doesn’t always work.
There are several surgical treatments that are meant to help get rid of cellulite, but it’s important to know that none of them are permanent. “Treating cellulite is difficult,” says Dr. Warren. “While many treatments claim to improve the appearance of cellulite, lasting success remains elusive. I think it’s safe to say that no treatment is completely successful, and none are more than mildly and temporarily effective.” Here’s a quick breakdown of the available treatments and their pros and cons.
Liposuction: This has really fallen out of favor when it comes to treating cellulite. “In general, liposuction is not an appropriate option for cellulite and can make the condition worse,” says Dr. Warren.
According to American Academy of Dermatology Associationit’s too early to tell, but ultrasound or laser-assisted liposuction may be viable options for getting rid of cellulite.
Cellulose: “This is the first FDA-approved ‘treatment’ for cellulite,” explains Dr. Lollis. “The procedure requires the insertion of a small laser tube under the skin. The laser heats up, melts the fat and then softens the fibrous bands that hold the fat in place. Although it gives a very good result, it does not get rid of cellulite completely” According to the AAD, patients are seeing results from Cellulze treatments last a year or more.
And if you want it, you’ll have to have deep pockets, because it costs between $2,500 and $9,500 depending on the treatment area and spa location, and requires multiple treatments over time.
Zwave: “This treatment sends high-energy radial shock waves into the affected areas, leading to the breakdown of the tissue surrounding the dimpled areas and the collapse of the gas bubbles within the fat structure,” says Dr. Lollis. It requires about 10 sessions done two to three times a week so you can see the required time requirement. Plus, the cost is about $100 to $450 per session (varies by location), so it adds up.”
Cellfina: This treatment takes less than an hour and requires three steps. “First, the different sites are marked for treatment. Second, each point is numbed. Then a specialized tool grips the skin and pinches the connective tissue with a very small blade,” says Dr. Lollis. There is a three-day recovery period, but there is absolutely no scarring. ONE study in 232 patients who received this incision treatment revealed patient satisfaction of over 78%, with results lasting up to two years. While it’s a bit pricey, ranging between $3,500 and $6,500 (depending on location), it might be one of the best options available.
Here’s the bottom line on cellulite.
So, if cellulite is so hard to get rid of, and almost all women have it, why are we ~still~ trying so hard to get rid of it? We’re all for working towards your goals, and if one of them is reducing cellulite, that’s totally understandable. At the same time, it’s important to recognize that it’s 100 percent okay to not care if you have cellulite, and changing your mindset can even help ease body image hangups. “When you understand that cellulite is just a part of being a woman, you realize that getting rid of it just isn’t possible,” says Dr. Warren.
