What Causes Cellulite?

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Daniel Shapiro, MD
Question viewed 5,130 times
Tags: causes

I am 25 and I've always been very fit, but now out of nowhere I am suddenly seeing cellulite on my bum! I do squats every day and eat healthy, I quit smoking, I don't drink coffee, I'm not overweight... so how the heck am I getting cellulite?! I don't want to put on a bathing suit ever again! I know cellulite is common for women, but I just don't understand why this is happening to me. Where does cellulite come from? Is there anything I can do to get rid of it, or at least slow it down and stop it from forming more?

5 answers to What Causes Cellulite?

Two types of cellulite, many causes

I tell my patients that there are essentially two types of cellulite that we see most frequently. "Cottage cheese" cellulite To simplify them, there seems to be one type that is like cottage cheese. Where you see cells of fat under very thin skin, so it looks like tissue paper over cottage cheese. Still this is a defect in the thickness of the skin or collagen of the dermis. This is not the most common type of cellulite, and is more a function of having very thin skin (where... more

Dan Mills, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Multifactorial and I am not sure anyone really knows.

In actuality, we really don't know what causes cellulite. One theory suggests cellulite arises from swelling within localized fatty areas. This can be accentuated by increases in lymphatic pressure or venous blood pressure. For some, excess fat, loose skin, or a combination of the two additionally contribute to the problem. Stress, trauma, diet, medications, and pregnancy have also been listed as possible contributing factors. In my mind, the two main causes of cellulite are 1)... more

York Jay Yates, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

Genetics most likely cellulite cause

Most women have some amount of cellulite. It simply has to do with the way women's bodies are genetically engineered to have more fat then men. Much of a woman's predisposition for cellulite can be traced to her mother, and other female family members. The best thing you can do if you know your family has a certain predisposition to cellulite is to eat healthy and exercise. There are some things that can aggravate your tendency for cellulite including stress and smoking. If you... more

Daniel Shapiro, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

The reason we have cellulite

The number one reason we develop cellulite is our genetics. For example, if your mother has it, more than likely at some point you will start to notice "dimples" if you haven't already. Right now, the only FDA-approved treatment for cellulite is Endermologie. You can enhance your Endermologie results in between treatments by exercising, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding a diet high in salt, sugar, and processed foods.

William J. Hedden, MD
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Cellulite

Cellulite is the cottage cheese appearance to fatty areas, especially thighs and buttocks. It is more common in women, and is thought to be affected by female hormones. Cellulite is small herniations of superficial fatty tissue, and as the fibrous septa of the skin weaken, then the herniation, i.e., bulging of fat lobules, increases. Most treatments that are effective for cellulite deliver heat to the skin septa and induce collagen formation or thickening of these septa; this helps keep... more

Omeed Memar, MD, PhD
Chicago Dermatologist

Ask a question

Get Free Email Updates