Cellulite describes a condition of men and women where the lower limbs, abdomen, and pelvic region become dimpled after puberty. Cellulite is a skin alteration often described as an ‘orange peel,’ ‘mattress,’ or ‘dimpling’ appearance on the thighs, buttocks and sometimes lower abdomen of otherwise healthy women. Although some men may get it, 90-98% of cellulite cases occur in women.

The term cellulite refers to the dimpled appearance of the skin that some people have on their hips, thighs, and buttocks. This appearance is much more common in women than in men because of differences in the way fat, muscle, and connective tissue are distributed in men and women's skin. The lumpiness of cellulite is caused by fat deposits that push and distort the connective tissues beneath skin, leading to the characteristic changes in appearance of the skin. As a matter of fact, some of the scientific literature refers to this changed skin condition as so-called cellulite.

Cellulite is not related to the condition known as cellulitis, which is a spreading bacterial infection of the skin and tissues beneath the skin.

What exactly cellulite is?
It's a condition that affects 90 percent of women and 10 percent of men, mostly in industrial nations. As women start approaching menopause, estrogen starts decreasing. From 25 to 35 is when you start seeing the appearance of cellulite. Estrogen has an impact on the blood vessels. When estrogen starts to decrease, you lose receptors in blood vessels and thighs, so you have decreased circulation. With decreased circulation you get less oxygen and nutrition to that area, and with that we see a decrease in collagen production. Also, at this time fat cells start flattering larger, they begin stick out through the collagen and become the bumpy fat known as cellulite.

Women tend to get cellulite around knees, saddlebags and buttocks, because they have three layers of fat in these areas. Women also have three levels of fat in the stomach and in the triceps areas.

The causes are poorly understood still, and several changes in metabolism and physiology may cause cellulite or contribute to cellulite. Among these are a disorder of water metabolism, abnormal hyper polymerization of the connective tissue, and chronic venous insufficiency.

Hormones play a large part in cellulite formation. It seems to initiate, and aggravate cellulite. Other hormones including insulin, the catecholamine’s adrenaline and noradrenalin, thyroid hormones, and prolactin too have been shown to play a part in cellulite development.

 Ways for cellulite reduction:
1. Certain exercises which target certain areas with cellulite help a great deal.

2. Eating a properly balanced diet is tremendously successful in clearing the toxins and fatty tissue from your body that result in cellulite.

3. Even massages and saunas have been proven to help since they aid in the elimination process, which clears fatty build up, and in turn clears cellulite.

4. Drinking more water also helps with elimination and cleansing your system from cellulite.  So be sure to get your 6-8 glasses each and every day.

The cause of cellulite is much more sophisticated than just saying it is extra fat underneath the skin. It is noteworthy to appreciate the fact that cellulite is a unique and distinctive layer of subcutaneous body fat that is common to females.

So, slot in a caloric restrictive diet with aerobic exercise and resistance training has the most promising and realistic results in cellulite reduction.