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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Cellulite looks like dimpled or bumpy skin. It's sometimes described as skin with a cottage cheese texture. Cellulite ranges in severity. Mild cases can be seen only when the skin is pinched — the dimpling appears in the pinched skin. More-severe cases make the skin appear rumpled and bumpy with areas of peaks and valleys. Cellulite is most common around the thighs and buttocks, but it can be found on the breasts, lower abdomen and upper arms as well.
When to see a doctor
Cellulite isn't a serious medical condition and treatment isn't necessary. In fact, many doctors consider cellulite a normal occurrence. However, if you're concerned about the appearance of your skin, see your doctor, dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
- Khan MH, et al. Treatment of cellulite. Part I. Pathophysiology. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2010;62:361.
- Khan MH, et al. Treatment of cellulite. Part II. Advances and controversies. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2010;62:373.
- Sakamoto FH, et al. Lasers and flashlamps in dermatology. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3005384. Accessed Nov. 28, 2010.
- Rawlings AV. Cellulite and its treatment. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2006;28:175.
- Goldberg DJ, et al. Clinical, laboratory, and MRI analysis of cellulite treatment with a unipolar radiofrequency device. Dermatologic Surgery. 2008;34:204.
- Wollina U, et al. Esthetic and cosmetic dermatology. Dermatologic Therapy. 2008;21:118.
- Manuskiatti W, et al. Circumference reduction and cellulite treatment with a TriPollar radiofrequency device: A pilot study. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2009;23:820.
- Hodgkinson DJ. Clinical applications of radiofrequency: Nonsurgical skin tightening (Thermage). Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2009;36:261.
- FDA warns about Lipodissolve product claims. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm206240.htm. Accessed Nov. 28, 2010.
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