Guides · Durbanville
What actually causes cellulite?
Cellulite appears when fat beneath the skin pushes up against the fibrous bands that anchor the skin, creating dimples. It is very common, especially in women, and it is influenced by genetics, hormones, age and body composition. It is not a sign of poor health, and it can appear at any weight.
Published 1 October 2026 · Updated 1 October 2026 · By Health Haven, Durbanville
Is cellulite caused by diet or lack of exercise?
Not on their own. Diet and exercise can change body composition and skin tone, but cellulite also depends on genetics, hormones and the structure of your connective tissue, which you cannot train away. Many people who are active and eat well still have it, so healthy habits help but rarely settle the question alone.
That is worth knowing, because it is easy to blame yourself. Cellulite is a normal feature of how skin and connective tissue are built, not a failure of discipline.
Why is cellulite more common in women?
Researchers believe the structure of the connective bands under the skin differs between women and men: in women the bands tend to run more vertically, so fat can push up between them more easily. Hormones, especially oestrogen, and the way fat is stored also play a part.
Men more often have a criss-cross pattern of bands that holds the skin smoother, which is one reason cellulite is far less visible in men. None of this is within your control, and none of it is a flaw.
What actually helps the look of cellulite?
No treatment gets rid of cellulite for good. Staying active, building muscle tone and drinking enough water can help skin look firmer, and mechanical treatments such as vacuum massage aim for a temporary improvement in how it looks. Be wary of anyone promising a permanent result or a quick fix from one session.
A realistic goal is skin that looks and feels smoother and firmer for a period, maintained with healthy habits and the occasional top-up. That is what we offer, and we say so up front.
When should I see a doctor?
Cellulite itself is harmless and cosmetic. See a doctor if skin changes suddenly, is painful, hot or red, or if one leg is swollen or different from the other. Those signs are not cellulite and need medical advice, not a massage treatment.
If you are unsure whether what you are seeing is cellulite or something else, ask your doctor first. We are happy to wait.
Does cellulite get worse with age?
It can become more visible with age, because skin tends to lose firmness and thickness over time, which makes the dimpling underneath easier to see. Hormonal changes play a part too. Staying active, keeping muscle tone and looking after your skin help how it looks, but they do not change the underlying structure.
Seeing it more clearly with age is not a sign that you have done anything wrong. It is a common change in how skin and the tissue beneath it behave over time.
Does losing weight get rid of cellulite?
Not necessarily. Cellulite can appear at any weight, and changing your weight can make it more or less visible without changing the underlying structure. Building muscle tone often helps skin look firmer. A better goal than a number on a scale is how your skin looks and feels, and how you feel in your body.
That is why two people of the same size can look quite different, and why comparing yourself to someone else is unhelpful.
Sources
This guide is general information about cosmetic and wellbeing treatments, not medical advice. If you have a health condition or are unsure whether a treatment suits you, speak to your doctor first.
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