Nearly 90 percent of women develop cellulite at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, even women that are otherwise slender and fit can develop areas of lumpy, dimpled skin. If you are one of them, you are probably interested in a cure. Here, Dr. Rob Kessler explains what causes the condition and what he can do about it.
Understanding the Anatomy of Cellulite
Cellulite is a cosmetic condition characterized by lumpy, dimpled flesh. It most often appears on the buttocks, thighs and hips. Because of the lumps and indentations, some women have described cellulite as resembling an orange peel or cottage cheese.
Cellulite is actually caused by a combination of structural factors. Subcutaneous fat deposits start to push through a network of connective fibers tethering the skin to the underlying muscle. The fat bulging through the fibrous bands is what causes the area to look uneven and bumpy.
Cellulite is more common in women than in men, which leads experts to believe hormonal differences are (at least partially) to blame. Other possible factors include genetics and lifestyle. Some women are genetically predisposed to the condition because their female relatives have it. Women that have a sedentary or inactive lifestyle are also prone to developing cellulite.
How to Treat Cellulite
In some cases, losing weight through diet and exercise can help to improve the appearance of cellulite. If you are saddled with cellulite, modify your diet and exercise routine. However, if natural weight loss methods fail to diminish the appearance of the skin indentations and irregularities, surgical treatment is needed.
Cellulite treatment must address all of the components of the condition. Liposuction alone is not an effective solution because it only removes fat and neglects to address the issues with the skin and connective tissue. And despite claiming to remove impurities and toxins from the body, no cream or topical product can get rid of cellulite.
Depending on the significance of the presentation, cellulite treatment must accomplish the following:
- destroy the fat deposits
- loosen the rigid bands of connective tissue
- tighten the skin by boosting collagen production
Learn More about Cellulite Treatment
If you are embarrassed by cellulite on your buttocks or thighs, and would like to know more about how Dr. Kessler can treat it, please contact Kessler Plastic Surgery today. Call or email us to schedule an appointment with our trusted plastic surgeon.
