It is the physical bane of women everywhere, a disfiguring affliction that attacks the abdomen and lower body, does not distinguish between young and old, and leaves horrific markings in its wake. Far from a flesh-eating plague, however, this is merely the sentiment echoed by those unfortunate victims of the cottage cheese ripples we commonly know as cellulite. As a term, cellulite refers to any deposit of material, normally fat, that collects under the skin, trapped beneath in pockets of connective tissue. These deposits gradually accumulate into a bulky rippling effect with creases and layers that are readily apparent, and soundly reviled. Much more common among women than men, it normally strikes females who have reached the age of 35 or older, but is increasingly becoming a concern for adolescent girls and young ladies, as well.

It is not known exactly what causes cellulite, but a number of factors have been observed that affect its formation and appearance. Most often, hormones and genetics are blamed, particularly the body’s production of estrogen, although insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones and prolactin are also thought to contribute to the cellulite process. A healthy diet and exercise apparently reduce cellulite, or at least improve the way it looks, while smoking, stress, an unhealthy lifestyle and sitting for long periods supposedly worsen it. Lastly, underwear with tight elastic across the butt area is thought to restrict blood flow, which may cause cellulite.

Cellulite accumulation is essentially harmless, and is not necessarily indicative of poor health or some form of impairment on the part of people who have it. However, it is perceived as visually unattractive, which is why dozens of different cures are available on the market today, though none of them have been scientifically documented as being consistently effective as a prescribed treatment.

The first class of treatments involves the use of various physical and mechanical methods to manually remove the cellulite or smoothen the dimpling. These include pneumatic massages, heat therapy, ultrasound, radio frequency therapy, electrical stimulation or massages that purportedly stimulate lymphatic flow. Supposedly, these methods work by improving blood flow, and boosting the absorption and re-distribution of fatty acids in the area afflicted with cellulite. Short-term results have been observed in some patients, and there are those who will swear by their efficacy, but there is still no evidence that any of these procedures permanently dispose of cellulite.

A second class of treatments uses pharmaceutical drugs that act on fatty and connective tissue, and increase circulation. These include drugs that contain methylxanthines like caffeine and theobromine, beta-agonists and adrenaline, alpha-antagonists, amino acids, gingko biloba, rutin, and Indian chestnut. The drugs themselves are administered topically, orally or through injection. Thus far, as with mechanical methods, none of these have displayed any significant cure for cellulite.

The last type of treatments makes use of compression garments, which are worn to compress arteries, and increase blood and lymph flow. While the wearing of such garments may improve the appearance of the cellulite temporarily, it does nothing to treat the cellulite itself.

Considering the relative ineffectiveness and inconsistency of the treatments described thus far, it has been suggested that the best way to deal with cellulite is to improve one’s lifestyle to incorporate beneficial habits, such as the eating of a diet rich in fiber and vitamins, and low in fat, or the introduction of a regular exercise regimen with special focus on the parts of the body where the cellulite has accumulated. The dimpling does not disappear, but a slimmer, toned body may reduce the fat content of the cells causing it, enhancing the overall surface appearance.