Updated: Jun 10, 2020, 19:07 IST

Understanding Cellulite, Especially What Can (And Can't) Get Rid Of It


Many natural aspects of the female form are not normalised. Instead they are seen as imperfections which should be a source of insecurity for women. Cellulite is among them. A dimpled part of the skin which looks bumpy on the outside, this usually occurs on the buttocks and the back of the thighs, and can also be present on the upper arms and stomach. More common in women than men, the acceptance of cellulite is a part of the body-positivity movement. 

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Deemed a “flaw,” cellulite in women is often criticised, and actresses or models who are seen with even a little bit of it, are slammed for not being “toned” enough. Not only that, most women grow up believing that it's something which needs to be fixed, not knowing enough about what causes it. So, there are loads of creams, serums, and scrubs on the market claiming to fix this. But is cellulite as bad as we think, or does it actually have a function in the body? Further, do these body-toning creams and scrubs work? If not, what does get rid of cellulite? We explain it all. 

What is cellulite?

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Cellulite is essentially fat deposits under the skin, and is visible more clearly in those who have thinner skin. It’s not a sign of being overweight, or even “skinny fat,” as even thin people can have cellulite, even though larger amounts of fat in the body can increase it.Yet, women of all sizes and ages have it and beat themselves up about it, avoiding shorts and swimsuits which show it.

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In fact, it’s a secondary-sex characteristic which occurs in women due to female hormones. You see, because female bodies have to carry and nurse babies, we have larger fat globules. The fat pockets in our butt and thighs is basically an emergency stash of energy to protect us (and babies we might have to feed). 

In addition to that, our muscles are linked in a different pattern to men’s, meaning cellulite can peek through more easily in our body. So, even if we exercise and follow a healthy diet, ultimately, it’s not a surefire way to get rid of cellulite, because cellulite is not a sign of bad health. 

How much cellulite we get, and where we get it, is partially dependent on our hormones, partially on genetics, partially on diet, and then exercises which build muscles in that area. There’s no way to predict how this fat will be distributed in every one’s body.

Why is there a stigma against cellulite?

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There is no part of the female body exempt from scrutiny and criticism. The bias and prejudice against a woman’s appearance today, has origins in products which claim to treat said issue. They tell us “Your body is ugly. Here, buy this cream to fix it.” We believe it, and internalise these values. Many say that seeing thin models is what gave rise to this. This is not true, because even super-thin models like Kendall Jenner have been criticised for having cellulite. Thin, fat, or athletic-- cellulite can occur in anyone’s body. 

Products and treatments which claim to treat cellulite, and whether they do or don’t work

First, we need to discuss toning creams which say they treat cellulite. Many of these contain chemicals meant to dehydrate skin and reduce fluid retention. This is a farce, yet there are loads of such products in the market which are expensively-priced. Cellulite is an internal thing which topical creams cannot remove. 

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The other most popular and common non-invasive treatment for cellulite today is a coffee scrub session. It is theorised that massaging an area can help build heat and dissolve the fat pockets there. Some suggest that doing this massage with caffeinated products helps dehydrate the area of fluids, thereby reducing the swelling and removing cellulite. 

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If this works in some people, it is temporary, and must be done regularly to keep cellulite from looking evident on the skin. However, there’s no definitive proof that it’s sure to work, because it’s a superficial treatment that won’t keep cellulite at bay. 

The other thing people suggest is liposuction. Interestingly, this is not a cure, as liposuction doesn’t remove the fat interwoven with muscles. 

However, there are newer treatments like sound therapy, which uses sound waves to break up cellulite under the skin. There are also laser treatments which thicken skin and help reduce the visibility of cellulite. Some other treatments, like the Velashape vacuum treatment break up tissues leading to cellulite, and are used by pop stars like Britney Spears.

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Now, while these work to an extent, the cellulite comes back in a few months, and repeated sessions need to be continued to maintain the look. 

Given all this information, it only makes sense to accept the fact that cellulite is something out of our control. Fretting over it, not eating balanced meals to reduce it, and feeling bad about our body because of it, is unfair to ourselves. 

Lead image credits: Viral Bhayani, iStock Photo

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