The 4 Types of Cellulite and How to Treat Them

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Photo credit: Rachael Ray Show Aired July 14, 2017

It’s a problem most women face: cellulite! But dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe says that not all cellulite is created equal. Who knew? Turns out there are 4 basic types – and most of us have one of them.

Rach jokes, “My mom and I treat [cellulite] by not looking down in the shower and always wearing black,” but if you want to take it a step further, check out Dr. Bowe’s advice to figure out what type you have, and how to treat it.

Type 1: Loose Skin Cellulite

With age, as collagen and elastin fibers in the tissues weaken, there is increased sliding of the skin over the muscles and tissues, causing dimpling in the skin surface, Dr. Bowe says.

How to Know if You Have It: While looking in a mirror, take two fingers and pinch the skin underneath your eye or on the top of your hand. When you release it, if the skin is sluggish to snap back, that’s a sign you probably have loose skin cellulite, Dr. Bowe explains.

How to Tackle it: The key here is looking for lotions that have 3 main ingredients that help firm the skin: red algae, peptides and vitamin A. They can help bring back some of the elasticity that you may have lost over time, according to Dr. Bowe. Apply the lotion twice per day, and be sure to apply a dime-sized amount per area, and massage in thoroughly.

Type 2: Poor Circulation Cellulite

This is when the fat beneath the skin is pushed against the surrounding connective tissue, and the excess fat that amassed is the superficial layer of tissue bulges between bands of connective tissue.

How to Know if You Have it: Two clues that signal you might have it are cold hands and feet, and sparse hair on your legs.

How to Tackle It: Dr. Bowe suggests using a dry brush to scrub the area in a circular motion for about 10 minutes on each leg. Doing this every day will wear down the fibers that are buckling to smooth them out, she says.

Type 3: Lack of Exercise Cellulite

Skipping your workouts can cause an increase in fatty tissue, making cellulite more noticeable, Dr. Bowe says, adding that this is very common in people who have had recent weight gain or weight loss.

How to Tackle it: Dr. Bowe recommends trying pants that are made with special fabric infused with cellulite-busting ingredients like caffeine, retinol and vitamin E. Wear for 8 hours a day for eight weeks to help smooth lumps and bumps. Upping your activity level will also help firm your body and reduce the look of cellulite.

Type 4: Genetic Cellulite

Dr. Bowe says that a lot of women have a predisposition will make them more susceptible to cellulite.

How to Know if You Have It: Hold a flashlight at an angle and shine it at your thighs -- if you see a shadow that looks like a clear dimple, this is you, Dr. Bowe says.

How to Tackle It: Dr. Bowe suggests a minimally invasive treatment called subcision which uses microblading to permanently divide the fibrous bands that cause cellulite, results in smoother looking skin for up to 3 years.

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