What is the difference between cellulite and fat

Blue lips are most often caused when something is preventing you from getting enough oxygen into your body. Read on to discover some of the causes of…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Lipedema or Cellulite? How to Tell the Difference. Key differences between lipedima and cellulite. Lipedema: Symptoms and treatment. Cellulite: Symptoms and treatment. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M. Is Liposuction Safe? Subcutaneous fat is found in layers just beneath the surface of your skin.

This type of fat pads your muscles and bones. It also provides insulation for your body to help to regulate your internal temperature. Cellulite develops from the interaction of fat and connective tissue below the surface of your skin, especially around your buttocks, thighs, and hips. Areas of cellulite have a dimpled appearance because of connective tissue that separates fat cells into different areas in the shape of a honeycomb. Anyone can have cellulite. The amount and type of fat cells you have depends on your genetic background and your lifestyle.

When you have excess visceral fat, it can increase your risk for certain health conditions such as:. Though commonly confused, yet intrinsically linked, there are clear, definitive differences between cellulite and lipedema. Read on to find out. Angel wing-adorned supermodels, attention-grabbing celebrities, and even famous fitness personalities are not immune to the all-too-common lumps and bumps that often pervade the buttocks, thighs, stomach, and upper arm areas of even the most seemingly beautiful women.

Nothing to be ashamed about, cellulite is extremely common and is more of a superficial inconvenience, if anything. Many women also find the detoxifying effects of a coffee bean body scrub help curb the look of cottage cheese skin.

The body-boosting, caffeine content in coffee helps eliminate impurities from pores, tightening and firming the skin in the process. Lipedema, on the other hand, is an acute disorder of adipose tissue in the lower extremities of the body, affecting mostly women. This is because women's fat is typically distributed in the thighs, hips and buttocks — common areas for cellulite.

Cellulite is also more common with aging, when the skin loses elasticity. Weight gain can make cellulite more noticeable, but some lean people have cellulite, as well. It tends to run in families, so genetics might play the biggest role in whether you develop cellulite. An inactive lifestyle also can increase your chances of having cellulite, as can pregnancy.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Anatomy of cellulite Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Anatomy of cellulite As fat cells increase, they push up against the skin. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Khan MH, et al. Treatment of cellulite: Part I. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.