Cellulite is the dimpling pattern on skin caused by lobules of underlying adipose tissue. Cellulite is not a medical or scientific term but refers only to aesthetics. It is unrelated to cellulitis, which is infection of the skin and its underlying connective tissue.
Cellulite occurs mostly on the thighs, buttocks and hips. Women get cellulite more often than men, probably because adipose tissue lies more closely to the skin in women. Cellulite is not related to being overweight; average and underweight people also get cellulite. It may be caused by genetics.
While harmless, the dimpled appearance is a cause of concern for some people. The cosmetics industry offers many ineffective remedies. Dieting does not get rid of the dimpled appearance, but balanced eating, drinking and exercising may help.
The term cellulite originated in France and began appearing in English language publications in the late 1960s. Descriptive names for cellulite include orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin, the mattress phenomenon, and hail damage.