Americans spend copious amounts of money trying to prevent and cure one common bodily enemy. That enemy is the lumpy, bumpy sight known as cellulite.
According to the Mayo Clinic, cellulite is the uneven bumps that we see on the thighs, behind, hips and stomach, and it’s most common in women, especially as they age.
Though cellulite itself isn’t a cause for concern, we often don’t like the way it looks. As a result, many of us avoid poolside afternoons in the summer and shorts on a hike.
Here’s the thing: Contrary to popular belief, cellulite isn’t fat. In fact, Dr. Matthew Schulman, a board-certified plastic surgeon, tells Women’s Health that these lumps and bumps are actually caused when fat is divided into tiny pockets in the skin.
Women get cellulite more than men because the natural skin collagen is laid out a bit differently. The collagen found in men is said to form an X-like pattern. But the collagen found in women is arranged in rows, which can cause fat to divide into these small pockets in a more visible way, according to Schulman.
To combat this effect, women spend thousands of dollars looking for quick fixes. However, the first line of defense against cellulite doesn’t cost a dime.