Diminish Cellulite

The hard truth: Most women will develop cellulite, the dimpling of the skin that's usually found on the thighs and buttocks. But why does cellulite occur, and how can we diminish it? We tracked down New York City plastic surgeon Mauro Romita, M.D., for insight and solutions.

The basic facts
The skin is connected to underlying muscle by vertical bands of fibrous tissue. Cellulite appears when fat cells bulge up against the top layers of skin while the fibrous bands pull down, much like buttons on a mattress; this creates the "cottage cheese" look. Our bodies' lymph system also plays a role; normally it drains fluid from tissues to rid the body of waste, but the trapped fat cells and fibrous tissue can block drainage. This trapped fluid can make the fat swell, adding to the dimpling effect.