Cellulite causes uneven, dimpled skin with a texture that’s often compared to orange peel or cottage cheese, and it’s most commonly found on the thighs, buttocks, and hips.
It’s extremely common: studies suggest that around 80–90 per cent of women develop it after puberty. Men are much less likely to have it, though not entirely immune.
Despite this, cellulite is often misunderstood, with many people linking it to excess weight, poor fitness or unhealthy living. In reality, it has multiple causes.
What causes cellulite?
Cellulite occurs due to the interaction between fat cells, connective tissue and skin. Beneath the surface, fibrous connective bands (known as septae) anchor the skin to the underlying muscle.
In women, these bands are typically arranged vertically, allowing fat lobules (clusters of fat cells) to protrude upwards, creating dimpling when the overlying skin is thin or less elastic.
In men, the connective tissue more often forms a criss-cross structure, reducing visible puckering – which helps to explain why men don’t get it as much.
The other thing to consider is that female hormones, particularly oestrogen, are central to the process. Oestrogen affects blood supply to the skin, distribution of fat and structure of connective tissue.
Changes in oestrogen levels during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or through the use of hormonal contraceptives have all been linked to increased prominence of cellulite.
Genetics also play a role, affecting factors such as skin thickness, collagen integrity and fat distribution. Ageing compounds these effects, as collagen production declines and the skin becomes thinner, often making cellulite more visible.
Lifestyle factors, such as smoking or reduced circulation, contribute too.
In short, cellulite arises from a combination of biological and environmental factors, including chemical pollution; it’s not as simple as being overweight.
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Can cellulite be removed?
Despite a booming industry promising quick fixes, there isn’t really a treatment – at least for now – that can permanently eliminate cellulite.
In truth, it’s not a disease, but rather a normal structural feature of human skin. However, several approaches can temporarily reduce its appearance.
Lifestyle changes can help. Strength training can improve muscle tone and reduce skin laxity (and is great for overall health anyway), while aerobic exercise supports circulation.
Weight management can shrink fat cell size, though cellulite remains common even in lean individuals. Maintaining a balanced diet and not smoking will promote skin and connective tissue health – though they do not directly target cellulite.
Topical products such as caffeine or retinol-based creams may cause minor, short-term improvements by dehydrating fat cells or thickening the skin.
Massage-based methods, from manual techniques to devices like endermologie (a mechanical massage treatment), can temporarily improve lymphatic drainage and circulation, but results usually fade quickly.
Medical interventions offer more noticeable, but still limited, results. Laser and radiofrequency treatments aim to disrupt fibrous bands and stimulate collagen production, while subcision (a minor surgical procedure) involves inserting a needle under the skin to release tethering.
These procedures can improve skin texture for months or even years, but they are costly, invasive, and not without risks.
The bottom line...
Cellulite is best understood as a normal feature of human skin, particularly in women. It doesn’t reflect poor health, fitness, or self-care, and it doesn’t require treatment unless you personally wish to explore options for cosmetic reasons.
Embracing it as a common variation in body structure can help shift the focus away from ‘fixing’ it, to accepting it as a natural aspect of human diversity.
This article is an answer to the question (asked by Judy Price, Solihul) 'Why do we get cellulite, and can I reduce it?'
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