Q: What is cellulite and how can I get rid of it?

A: According to Dr. Celeste Robb-Nicholson of the Harvard Medical School, cellulite isn't a medical condition, but a popular term to describe dimpling in areas where fat deposits are greatest--usually on the buttocks or thighs, but also the abdomen, nape of the neck and upper arms. The dimples are created by connective tissue that anchors the dermis, or outer skin, to deeper layers of tissue, like the buttons on a mattress. Cellulite is common in women and rare in men, probably because men have thinner fat layers.

The appearance of cellulite can be improved by liposuction procedures that remove excess fat and redeposit it in the dimpled regions, thereby smoothing the surface. It is most effective in young women with good skin elasticity, but is not permanent. The best way to remove cellulite, Robb-Nicholson concludes, is to lose weight.