How is cellulite formed?

Cellulite has three components: fibrous bands, fat nodules and a skin component. IPlastic surgeon Haideh Hirmand, MD, explains how these components work together to create and form cellulite, and factors that can make cellulite worse.

Transcript

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Higher weight means bigger fat cells, bigger fat nodules that are trapped within the fibrous bands. So, typically, some weight loss can improve

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the appearance of cellulite. [MUSIC PLAYING]

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So cellulite has three components, the fibrous bands that pull on the skin and dimple it down,

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the fat nodules-- and these are fat cells that are trapped within the fibrous bands that create the peau d'orange,

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kind of dimpley look of the cellulite, and then the skin component. The skin gets thinner. And it creates that look even more.

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And as we age, it gets thinner. And the look deteriorates even further. Factors that can worsen cellulite are for sure age.

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Because as we age, the skin gets thinner. And there are also a genetic predisposition to cellulite.

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And it can show up with age. Certainly weight, higher weight means bigger fat cells,

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bigger fat nodules that are trapped within the fibrous bands. So typically, some weight loss can improve

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the appearance of cellulite. And lymphatic drainage, being active

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and also certain massages help it. So if you're not active and if you're not exercising, certainly the appearance of cellulite can also look worse.