Cellulite - what is it?

Women hate them — those ripples, dips, and dimples on their thighs, hips, and buttocks. Cellulite can settle in, regardless of body weight or fitness level. On some women, you can barely see it, yet on others it's very evident. And, sadly, if nothing is done to remedy cellulite, the cells harden, skin begins to lose its elasticity, and the lumps and bumps become more visible.

Cellulite isn't sexy, no matter what size you are.

You probably won't concentrate on your cellulite problems until you put on a bikini or short skirt at the beginning of summer or you go into a dressing room, try on clothing and see the light hit your legs at a different angle. As one writer has observed, that's when altogether too many women say to themselves, "Ohhhh. Maybe I should buy a little longer skirt this year."

In fact, some 85 percent of women suffer cellulite on their thighs or buttocks. Cellulite seems to afflict portions of women's anatomy more frequently than men due to structural differences in their skin protein (collagen) and fat cells.

WHAT IS CELLULITE? Cellulite is the lumpy, irregular fatty deposits that are found under the skin—usually around the buttocks, hips, and thighs. Cellulite begins to form during puberty, although it isn't always noticeable on younger women. Nearly all women will develop noticeable cellulite at some point in life, even those who exercise regularly and are slim.

Doctors do not consider cellulite a disease. In fact, it's perfectly normal. And yet every year, women spend millions of dollars on expensive products & surgery, hoping to get rid of that dimply, wobbly flesh known as cellulite.

What would you give for a pill that
would just make it go away?

FEMALE	CELLULITE ANATOMY	MALE
	Epidermis
	Dermis or Corium
	Upper zone of subcutaneous layer & fat chambers

Women are especially prone to develop cellulite in the area of their hips, buttocks and thighs due to the unique structure and shape of the connective tissues and fat cells in these areas. With age, women's skin in these regions, especially the corium and outer skin layer, becomes progressively thinner and looser, as well as losing its elastic fibers that support the structure of the skin. The connective tissue walls between the fat cell chambers also tend to thin. As this occurs, the fat-cell chambers enlarge and begin to protrude through the outer skin layer; lymphatic congestion also occurs with a buildup of lymphatic fluid and resulting stress on the skin. These events cause the bumpy cellulite appearance.

Images & text are copyrighted and used with permission. Do not copy.