Cellulite

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Cellulite describes dimpling of skin, caused by the protrusion of subcutaneous fat into the dermis creating an undulating dermal-subcutaneous fat junction adipose tissue. The term cellulite originated in France more than 150 years ago and began appearing in English language publications in the late 1960s, the earliest reference in Vogue magazine, "Like a swift migrating fish the word cellulite has suddenly crossed the Atlantic.^[1]

Descriptive names for cellulite include orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin, the mattress phenomenon, and hail damage. Synonyms include: adiposis edematosa, dermopanniculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis and gynoid lipodystrophy. It is unrelated to cellulitis, which is infection of the skin and its underlying connective tissue.

Between 85% and 98% of post-pubescent females display some degree of cellulite. There appears to be a hormonal component to its presentation. It is rarely seen in males. It is seen more commonly in males with androgen-deficient states such as Klinefelter's syndrome, hypogonadism, post-castration states and in those patients receiving estrogen therapy for prostate cancer. The cellulite becomes more severe as the androgen deficiency worsens in these males. Cellulite is not related to being overweight; average and underweight people also get cellulite.

While harmless, the dimpled appearance is a cause of concern for some people. The cosmetics industry claims to offer many remedies. There are no supplements that have been approved as effective for reducing cellulite. Cosmetic laser manufacturers, such as Syneron, claim success after a few applications of their products. Other cosmetic procedures such as Mesotherapy, Endermologie, & laser treatments have produced inconclusive results. While each has been FDA approved to temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite, long term results are unknown.^[2] Liposuction, which extracts fat from under the skin, is not effective for cellulite reduction. Dieting does not get rid of the dimpled appearance, but a balanced diet and exercise may help.

Cellulite has been found to be indistinguishable from ordinary fat in every medical and scientific test. It is not proven whether any cosmetic lotion, massager or pills can reduce/increase cellulite versus ordinary fat. The only known way to reduce the appearance of cellulite is to reduce overall body fat by altering diet or exercise, although it may remain visible even on very slim women.

The cause of cellulite is unknown.Many think salt intake may have something to do with it but has never been proven. Some theories point to stress, and diet as potential causes, or at least aggravators.