What Is Cellulite? Why 80 to 90% of Women Have It

Medically reviewed by Meg LaFerriere, APRN · Ageless KC, Lee’s Summit, MO

If you have cellulite, you’re in the majority. Most adult women have some, and it says very little about your health, your fitness or your willpower.

What is cellulite, exactly?

Cellulite is a change in the surface of the skin. It usually shows up on the thighs, buttocks, hips and lower belly as dimples, ripples or an orange-peel look.

Clinicians sometimes call it gynoid lipodystrophy. That’s a formal way of saying it involves fat, fluid and fibrous tissue in a pattern that is typical of female bodies.

It isn’t painful, it isn’t dangerous, and it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It’s a cosmetic concern, and plenty of people are perfectly happy to leave it alone.

What’s happening under the skin?

Think of a quilted mattress. The fabric is your skin, the stuffing is fat, and the stitches pulling the fabric down are connective tissue. Three layers work together:

• Skin (epidermis and dermis): the outer layers. The dermis holds collagen and elastin, which keep skin firm and springy.
• Fat lobules: small chambers of fat cells that sit just below the skin.
• Fibrous septae: cords of connective tissue that run from the skin down to deeper tissue and divide the fat into compartments.

When the septae are tight or stiff and the fat lobules press upward, the skin gets pulled down at the anchor points and bulges in between. That push and pull is the dimple you see.

Circulation plays a supporting role. When local blood and lymph flow are sluggish, tissue can hold a little extra fluid, which can make the texture look more pronounced.

Why do 80 to 90% of women have cellulite?

Dermatology sources commonly estimate that 80 to 90% of women have some cellulite after puberty. The biggest reason is architecture, not lifestyle.

In women, the septae tend to run straight up and down, at right angles to the skin, like fence posts. The fat chambers between those posts are taller and larger, so they bulge upward more easily.

Women also tend to have a thinner dermis on the thighs and buttocks, and estrogen influences where the body stores fat and how connective tissue behaves. Your genes fill in the rest, which is why cellulite often runs in families.

Why do men rarely get cellulite?

In men, the septae usually run at angles in a crisscross pattern. That net holds fat in smaller compartments and spreads tension evenly, so the surface stays smoother. Men’s skin in these areas also tends to be thicker.

Feature	Typical in women	Typical in men
Septae direction	Vertical, like fence posts	Crisscross, like a net
Fat compartments	Larger and taller	Smaller
Skin on thighs and buttocks	Thinner	Thicker
How common is cellulite	80 to 90% after puberty	Uncommon

Men can develop cellulite, most often when testosterone is low or with certain medical conditions, but it’s the exception rather than the rule.

Is cellulite a sign of poor health?

No. Cellulite isn’t a measure of weight or fitness. Lean runners, dancers and yoga teachers have it too. Gaining weight can make it more visible, but losing weight doesn’t always make it go away.

Because it’s structural, no cream or detox can flush it out. Treatments that make a visible difference work on the structure itself: the septae, the fat lobules, the skin or local circulation. One example is T-Shape 2, which is FDA-cleared for the temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite.

One important note: if you notice skin that is red, hot, swollen and painful, especially in one leg or with a fever, that isn’t cellulite. See a clinician promptly. You can find more common questions on our FAQs page.

Frequently asked questions

Is cellulite the same as cellulitis?

No. Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that causes red, warm, painful and swollen skin, sometimes with fever, and it needs prompt medical care. Cellulite is a harmless change in skin texture.

At what age does cellulite usually appear?

It most often appears after puberty, as estrogen rises and the body changes how it stores fat. Many people notice it in their teens or 20s, and it can become more visible with age as skin thins.

Can cellulite go away on its own?

It rarely disappears completely. Its visibility can shift with weight, muscle tone, skin thickness, hydration and even lighting. In-office treatments can improve the appearance, usually temporarily, with maintenance to keep results.

Sources: American Academy of Dermatology; Cleveland Clinic; Mayo Clinic; NIH/MedlinePlus; Nürnberger & Müller, Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology, 1978; FDA 510(k) K231092 (T-Shape 2, B&M S.r.l.)

This article is for general education and isn’t medical advice. Treatments aren’t right for everyone, and results vary. Our practitioner reviews your health history before any treatment.