Cellulite: A Review of Currently Available Treatments

By Fayne Frey, MD

Many OTC and medical treatments are available to treat cellulite. However, even when they have modest results, the improvement is temporary

(Photo source: Lanzi / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0))

All too often my patients ask me about the orange-peel textured skin, commonly known as cellulite, that appears on their upper thighs. They want to know if I can smooth it out for them? Or, they wonder, if they are stuck with it forever?

There are many lavish creams and costly procedures that are heavily marketed to get rid of the unsightly puckered skin. The question remains, however, is it really possible to get rid of cellulite?

In our fat-phobic society, the cellulite industry has blossomed to a billion dollars plus annually. And it is predicted to continue growing.

Common questions about cellulite

What is cellulite?

Cellulite is common. It is harmless and it is not a medical condition. Cellulite is the term commonly used to describes the lumpy dimpled flesh that is usually found on the upper thighs, hips, and buttocks.

That being said, the uneven appearance of skin that often makes people feel self-conscious about wearing shorts or a bathing suit. It is the main reason why they…