Cellulite

While factors like excessive weight, localized fat, loose skin, and aging may increase the appearance of cellulite, the fact is that almost every woman - of every body type - will develop cellulite. (Interestingly, men rarely do, leading many people to conclude that cellulite is influenced by female hormones.)

Brazilian dermatologist Doris Hexsel, my friend and colleague, has classified cellulite into four different stages:

At Stage 0, the skin's surface is not altered.

At Stage I, skin is smooth when the individual is standing or lying down, but some cellulite appears if the skin is pinched.

At Stage II, skin appears dimpled without any pinching or manipulation.

At Stage III, skin appears both dimpled and raised in some areas.

That's all fine and good, you might be thinking, but what can I do about it? Understanding the degree of cellulite you are experiencing is an important first step in considering your treatment options.

At Stage I, for example, you might limit your intervention to topical creams. Shop carefully, though - the only creams that I have found to be effective are those that contain caffeine or theophylline.

At Stage II, if you are bothered by the appearance of cellulite, you might start to consider some of the non-invasive professional treatments that have recently been approved by the FDA:

Endermologie uses a combination of rollers and suction to smooth dimpled problem areas.

VelaSmooth uses a combination of radio frequency, infrared light, and tissue manipulation to smooth skin.

Both of these treatments work best in healthy, active people and require as many as 14 initial treatments,