Cellulite affects up to 90% of post-pubertal females and is a topographic skin change. It simply is fat deposits under the surface of the skin and presents as a modification of skin surface evident by skin dimpling and nodularity that occurs mainly in women on the pelvic region, lower limbs, and abdomen, and is caused by the herniation of subcutaneous fat within fibrous connective tissues, leading to a padded or orange peel–like appearance. Cellulite is a description rather than a physical object.

Before reviewing treatments on how to get rid of cellulite, it is important to know what causes it in the first place. Cellulite is caused by hormonal and genetic factors as well as diet and lifestyle choices. Hormones like Estrogen, insulin and adrenalin are all found to have been responsible for the onset of cellulite. Researchers have also found direct connection in the cellulite formation with genes that individuals carry whilst severe dieting and a stressful lifestyle have also been found to be responsible in other studies.

Numerous therapies are available for treatment. Improving one’s diet combined with exercise is normally the first step in getting rid of cellulite. Drinking lots of water, walking 30 minutes a day, eating a low fat, low sugar, high fibre diet, avoiding smoking, fatty and salty foods contribute a great degree towards reducing the appearance of cellulite.

Improved blood circulation through massage results in improved lymphatic drainage which reduces the lumpiness of the cellulite and also results in smooth skin. There are also many herbal products in the market that can improve the connective tissue fibers in strengthening them and adding elasticity. Some of them are gotu-kola, horse chestnut and fish oil.

Liposuction is the most widely used cellulite treatment. Fat cells deep in the skin are removed by suctioning through a cut or excision in the buttocks or thigh. Some of these fat cells are then redeposited into areas of dimpling to smooth out the contour of the skin, which results in a lessening of the cellulite. While liposuction significantly reduces total amount of fat in the body immediately, it may not significantly improve skin appearance. In other words, liposuction may or may not remove the dimpling or unevenness under the skin which require additional treatment options combined with a proper diet and exercise to take affect. Nor does Liposuction process make leathery, wrinkling skin look taut and young.

Liposuction is not the panacea for getting rid of cellulite due to its invasiveness and complicated treatment options, downtime and its inability to offer great degree of reduction in the visual symptoms of cellulite.

The most effective cellulite treatment remains diet and exercise combined with an alternative and non-invasive therapy like Radio Frequency technology (which is a painless form of heat based treatment), which can dissolve fat in spot areas and thereby assist in reducing the visible symptoms of cellulite.

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