Cellulite and fat: an overview

Cellulite is the name given to the lumpy, irregular fat deposits often found around the hips, buttocks and upper leg areas. It is sometimes described as 'orange peel skin' because of the dimpled appearance of the affected areas. It appears in 90% of post-adolescent women, even those who put a lot of effort into keeping their bodies slim and well toned, but is rarely seen in men. It occurs because a large number of women's fat cells are located in pockets within the connective tissue of the skin. Over time, a build up of fluids and fat, along with a reduction in blood supply, can cause the pockets to bulge and press against the connective tissues, creating the external 'orange peel' effect on the skin.

Along with a good diet and exercise, which can help in the early stages of cellulite formation, there are many different treatments that have been claimed to reduce the appearance of cellulite:

Creams and gels form the bulk of cellulite treatments that are marketed. Many of these contain ingredients that have been shown to stimulate metabolism of fat in laboratory experiments, but none have been clinically proven to have a significant or long lasting effect in studies on patients.

Body wrapping involves a process of enveloping parts of the body with linens permeated with a variety of substances such as herbal extracts, algae, seaweed, and mud. The skin is brushed or massaged evenly with any one of these products and then covered in linens. The body shaping effect is the result of the combined action of perspiration and compression, which leads to read more