Dear DOLLY DR, How do you get rid of cellulite? I'm really skinny, but I have cellulite near the bottom of my bum. Is there any way of getting rid of it without surgery?
Victoria.
There is a huge myth about cellulite that I'd like to clear up first: cellulite is not abnormal, everyone has it, and nothing will "cure" it. Cellulite is the name given by the cosmetic and fashion industries to the layer of fat underneath the skin that can take on a dimpled appearance because of criss-crossing bits of fibre and connective tissue that go through the fat layer. All of us need this layer of fat to stay alive, keep our temperature regulated and in the case of women, make us able to have periods and babies. Women are more likely than men to have "cellulite" because of the way fat is stored in their bodies (more near the buttocks, thighs and hips).
People's skin type and thickness will also influence the appearance of cellulite (we all have it, it's just not so visible for some). So, even skinny people have cellulite, because even skinny people need a layer of fat in order to survive. None of the treatments for cellulite actually make it go away. They might temporarily make it less visible by "tightening" the skin briefly. The surgery you might have heard of is liposuction — physically sucking out some of the fat in the fat layer. This will not cure cellulite because it would not remove all the fat (that would be medically dangerous).
People who are overweight can increase their exercise and balance their diets in order to reduce body fat and increase fitness, which is good for their overall health. Again, this will not get rid of cellulite, it will just reduce the amount of fat in the fat layer beneath the skin.
