Cellulite: The Latest Skinny, I

In the latest issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology there are two review articles on cellulite. The first discusses the pathophysiology of the condition and the second the treatment. Not a lot of recent work has been done to try to understand cellulite. It is unclear if cellulite is actually a disease, since 85-98% of women past puberty have it.

Cellulite produces an orange peel like appearance of the skin. It is found most on the pelvis, abdomen and thighs, and is a source of embarrassment, being present even in highly fit women. It affects women, almost exclusively, and is more common in whites than Asians. An excessive or high carbohydrate diet may enhance it, as may a sedentary lifestyle and pregnancy.

The fat in areas of cellulite is different in both structure and function from fat in other parts of the body. Fat globules are separated by fibrous strands called septae. Women with cellulite have fewer & thinner septae and more of these are oriented perpendicularly to the skin surface, when compared to women without cellulite. Using non-invasive techniques it can be shown that in areas of cellulite there is herniation of fat into the dermis, the lower part of the skin.

Fat from areas of cellulite also behaves differently in that it is more resistant to being absorbed during stress, when compared to fat in other parts of the body. It is not known whether the fat in cellulite is white fat or brown fat.

People can be affected by cellulite regardless of their body mass index (obesity). 

The next post will discuss the possible treatments for cellulite.

Gerald N. Bock MD

California Skin & Laser Center

Stockton & Lodi, CA

Comments

[CelluliteSolution]

There does seem to be an increase in treatment methods for cellulite, but are any of them permanent?

[San Diego Plastic Surgery]

I think labeling cellulite as a disease when it is the norm (and doesn't cause any known symptoms of illness) is sort of silly. It is interesting that fat cells are one of the most under-researched of all human cells given how much attention is given to weight loss in our society.

Of course, just because cellulite isn't causing people to get sick doesn't meant we shouldn't be allowed to try reduce it to match our aesthetic preferences. I'm looking forward to reading your next post on the options you recommend for minimizing cellulite.

D. McCarty