Here, we break down the science.
While beauty standards are always evolving (we like to think for the better!
Yeah, we get it.
Photo:Getty Images / Luis Alvarez
But the truth is, it’s really,reallynormal, and for many women, unavoidable.
So why are we still spending our time and money trying to get rid of it?
Almost all women have it.
“Cellulite is considered normal and very, very common,” he emphasizes.
Most people think that cellulite is simply fat, but it’s a little more complicated than that.
What causes cellulite?
you’re able to thank your DNA.
There’s a reason that only 10 percent of men have cellulite.
As we age, estrogen rises, exacerbating the issue.
Then there’s the structural element.
“Men’s connective tissue is more interwoven than women’s,” Dr. Lolis explains.
You guessed it: Genetics!
It’s only loosely related to your weight.
Exercise can help, but it isn’t a guarantee.
It’s true that exercise can have some effect on cellulite, but it’s definitely not a cure-all.
“Daily exercise will help, but only when it focuses on building muscle,” Dr. Lolis says.
That means cardio is not the cellulite solution it was once touted to be.
Fit women have it, too.
Even professional trainers accept cellulite as part of life as a woman.
But it will still be there, she says.
“I myself have cellulite, along with many fitness trainers and models I’ve come across.
There’s no miracle treatment.
You’ve probably seen creams, gadgets, and tools that are supposed to completely get rid of cellulite.
Retinol creams, particularly those that contain up to 0.3% retinol, have shown some promise.
Sinceretinol thickens the skin, it can help reduce the visibility of cellulite.
Even surgery doesn’t always work.
“Treating cellulite is tough,” Dr. Warren says.
“While many treatments claim to improve the appearance of cellulite, lasting success remains elusive.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the treatments available and their pros and cons.
Liposuction:This one has actually fallen out of favor with regard to cellulite treatment.
Cellulaze:“This is the first FDA approved ‘cure’ for cellulite,” Dr. Lolis explains.
“The procedure calls for a small laser tube inserted under the skin.
While it does deliver a very good result, it doesn’t get rid of cellulite entirely.”
According to the AAD, patients are seeing results of Cellulze treatmentslast a year or longer.
Cellfina:This treatment takes less than an hour and requires three steps.
“First, the different sites are marked for treatment.
Second, each spot gets numbed.
There’s a three-day recovery period, but there’s absolutely no scarring.
