Cellulite is a term used to describe the chain of wrinkled fat cells and subcutaneous connective tissue beneath the skin and which seems to be more prevalent in women than men; the lower half of the body is the most likely, but not exclusive, area that will be affected. Most women carry excess fat in thighs and buttocks, but this problem is not confined just to the overweight; the cottage cheese appearance so familiar with this condition can affect slim women as well.

You see as the collection of fats push against the connective tissue, it tends to cause the surface of the skin to dimple or pucker and visually look lumpy; giving you what is referred to as cellulite. After many years of research, scientists still cannot determine the exact reason for its formation or why some are affected more than others but there may be some connection between toxins that enter the body and how certain fat cells store them.

Two components of the skin that decrease with age are elastin and collagen, both of which may be responsible for the increase of these fatty cells as women grow older. It is normally classified as a problem caused by hormones and is why men rarely suffer with the condition as fat in their bodies is consistent throughout.

It is not uncommon to only see the cellulite when the skin is pinched between the fingers at which pint it can normally be felt as well but it is a very common complaint amongst women. There are several factors that contribute to the build-up; genetics probably, gender, the amount of excess fats in your body, age is a major factor and the thickness of the skin are all instrumental to its presence and just how visible it is, even at a distance.

As medical science cannot prove conclusively what causes the problem, it makes it difficult creating a cure even though a number have been tried including special burning creams. Where cellulite removal massage is offered at a clinic, all that is done is deep tissue massage which just masks the affect so it cannot be seen as readily.

Perhaps the most drastic therapy is liposuction where fat is literally sucked from the body or the more expensive procedure of injecting certain chemicals in a process called mesotherapy. These known remedies offer only temporary relief and are likewise not advisable as liposuction for example should only be used to remove deep fats and is not very effective in the removal of cellulite.

There isn't one single therapy or treatment that can rid someone of these fat deposits and even special burning creams provide dubious results; however the most recent creams available seem to just hide the effects or offer a temporary fix. Many people believe that the only realistic way to reduce the amount of fatty tissue a person has is to follow a controlled diet plan and exercise regularly which will gradually burn off much of the body fat including that found in the tissues of the thighs and buttocks.

Many of the toxins that aid cellulite formation in the cells can be removed by drinking plenty of water every day not to mention the other health benefits of drinking water which include weight reduction.