Cellulite can impact ladies of all shapes, sizes, and ages. The dimpled skin found on the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs is considered normal for the most part, although the “flawless” universe also known as Hollywood and mainstream media will have you thinking differently.

Cellulite is created when fat deposits rest in between collagen fibers. Although cellulite is composed of fat cells, it doesn’t mean you’re obese or overweight. Women simply tend to have more subcutaneous fat than men, which is why they tend to have more cellulite. Here are some myths we have debunked in regards to cellulite.

1. It only exists in overweight or obese people. Cellulite occurs naturally and therefore can be found in slender females, some even in the best physical condition of their age group.
2. You should go to the tanning bed to hide it. Tanning can actually make the appearance of cellulite worse while also putting you at risk of developing skin cancer.
3. You should lose some weight and it will disappear. Although it makes sense in theory, it’s unfortunately not true. Weight loss isn’t guaranteed to improve the appearance of cellulite; in fact, it could make it look worse.
4. Apply some cellulite cream and it will go away. As with weight loss, this isn’t a guarantee. Keep in mind it is highly unlikely for a cream that is applied to the skin’s surface to impact dermal fat cells enough to make cellulite disappear.
5. Having lipomassage will get rid of it. This is only a half-truth; while the therapy will get rid of it, it’s only temporary. Once treatments stop, it will return.
6. Radiofrequency and laser services will get rid of it. As with lipomassage, these are temporary fixes.
7. Liposuction or subcision is the answer. Liposuction isn’t recommended to treat cellulite. The fat that is removed is subcutaneous, which is below the level where cellulite fat resides. This type of treatment is capable of making the appearance of cellulite much worse. With subcision, a needle is injected into the dermal fibrous tissue bands to free fat cells, supposedly reducing cellulite. However, this hasn’t proven to be effective so far by medical researchers.
8. Mesotherapy is worth a shot. While it’s possible to help treat cellulite by injecting chemicals into the fat, it’s difficult to find the exact location of the fat cells causing the cellulite.
9. Body wraps work to eliminate cellulite. Wrong! While you may lose some fluids, there is no effect on fat cells. After a few hours, your body will return to its normal size.