What is cellulite?

Cellulite is a very common, harmless skin condition that causes lumpy, dimpled flesh on the thighs, hips, buttocks and abdomen. The condition is most prevalent in women. Cellulite looks like dimpled or bumpy skin. It’s sometimes described as having a cottage cheese or orange peel texture.

You can see mild cellulite only if you pinch your skin in an area where you have cellulite, such as your thighs. Cellulite that is more severe makes the skin appear rumpled and bumpy with areas of peaks and valleys and is most common around the thighs and buttocks, but it can also be found on the breasts, lower abdomen and upper arms. 1

What causes cellulite?

Cellulite is caused by a buildup of fat underneath the skin. Some women are more predisposed to it than others. The amount of cellulite you have and how noticeable it is can be based on your genes, body fat percentage, and age. The thickness of your skin also affects the appearance of cellulite. People of all body types and weights can get cellulite.

Cellulite may be caused by:

  • hormones
  • poor diet
  • an unhealthy lifestyle
  • accumulated toxins
  • genetics
  • weight gain
  • inactivity
  • pregnancy 2

Social Media + Fact Check

Not everything you see on social media is real. Pictures are often photoshopped and retouched. Using filters to smoothen our skin have become the new normal. It can be extremely difficult to differentiate between real and retouched skin.

Celebs have cellulite too!