Having cellulite might just be more common than people think. According to Dr. Papri Sarkar, a Boston-based board-certified dermatologist, the proportion of women who have cellulite ranges from about 80% to 90%. So don't think that having those little dimples make you an oddball, they actually make you fit in!
But it's not surprising that some women may carry an insecurity around having cellulite. In that case, if it makes you less confident, there are some things you can do to help. While it's unlikely you can get rid of it, there are ways that you can work to reduce the appearance.
Cellulite is defined by the Mayo Clinic as "a very common, harmless skin condition that causes lumpy, dimpled flesh on the thighs, hips, buttocks and abdomen." It is most prevalent in women. Fat is held in place by fibrous bands. "Over time, what happens is that as these bands break down, you get injured or if a little piece of it snaps, then you get an out-pouching of a small piece of fat there," Dr. Sarkar said.
When it comes to reducing the appearance of it, Dr. Sarkar and Dr. Jennifer Levine, a double-board certified plastic surgeon in New York City, took the liberty of sharing some advice. First off, it starts with eating habits.
More from LittleThings: Cellulite: 9 Fascinating Facts Most Women Don't Know About These Dimpled Pockets Of Fat
"If you're eating a healthy diet, you have less fat and you have good muscle mass and skin quality, it will help the appearance of cellulite," Dr. Levine said.
For further steps, treatment options can be found at a doctor's office. Though there aren't a lot of devices approved by the FDA, Avéli is a handheld option that professionals use to go in and cut the bands that cause the cellulite.
Dermatologists can also use lasers to treat the area, according to Dr. Sarkar. Doctors may also use a combination of lasers and injectable fillers to help improve the appearance of the cellulite.
If going to your doctor's office isn't something you want to do, there are some options for treating cellulite at home, though these means are usually temporary. According to Dr. Sarkar, retinoids have the most scientific evidence behind them. You could get an over-the-counter retinol cream or a be prescribed a Retin-A treatment, which can help to smooth the skin and increase collagen.
"But they take a really, really, really long time and they only help a little," Dr. Sarkar explained of retinoids.
She added that these options can be combined with other at-home treatments, such as caffeine treatments or massages. Dr. Levine says that products with caffeine in them will temporarily tighten the skin, which improves the appearance of cellulite.
Getting a spray tan or using a self-tanner is also an option to reduce the appearance of cellulite. "Part of the reason that you noticed the cellulite is because the light is reflecting differently off of different areas," Dr. Sarkar said. "The areas that are dimpled are darker, the areas that are not dimpled are shinier and whiter. So essentially, if you use a self-tanner, then you just see it less, it's less noticeable."
Among other options for at-home remedies are dry brushing, massage devices, and microcurrent devices. According to Dr. Sarkar, "They really only make a difference if you do them every single day."
*Disclaimer: The advice on LittleThings.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
