Nothing forces those bathing suits and short shorts back into the closet more than the sight of cellulite. But what are we actually trying to fight? While treatment options are still being investigated, the bad guy here is likely plain old fat [1].

Blame the Genetics — The Need to Know

While men can develop cellulite, it’s particularly a problem with the ladies, affecting 80 to 90 percent of females and only about 10% of men [2] [3]. This dimply, cottage-cheese looking fat typically shows up on the thighs and butt (perfect placement, not so much). But what causes its unflattering appearance? Blame the connective tissue that separates the fat beneath the skin. For women, this connective tissue is shaped like honeycomb, causing fat in the thighs to take on a dimply appearance. The same tissue in men is arranged as more of a grid and therefore causes less of a visual dilemma.

So what’s with that one perfect girl or guy who never showed an ounce of cellulite? While men and women do not have to be obese to have cellulite, genetics play a major role in determining how much cellulite (and fat cells in general) we have and where they are distributed.

Fight the Fat — Your Action Plan

While anyone can have cellulite (regardless of weight), there is no one proven way to prevent it outright (bummer). There are, however, more than a few treatment options on the market to help reduce the appearance of cellulite, ranging from the cheap (topical creams and ointments) to the ritzy (laser treatments), and everything in between (massage techniques) [3] [5] [6]. If lasers and creams seem daunting, there are several natural methods— yoga, acupuncture, reflexology, and even meditation— that claim to help get rid of those dimples, though none have been categorically proven effective.

A recent study showed that while a combination of diet and exercise in obese women can significantly reduce body fat, the same measures might not knock out the appearance of cellulite [7]. But those women who also wore tight fitting pants during their weight loss regimen did see signs of cellulite reduction, suggesting the application of lower body pressure could affect the skin's connective tissue and long-term appearance [7]. Maybe those Lululemons are good for more than just bow pose...

Does cellulite bum you out? What are some ways you’ve discovered to help get over it?