Women Face More Issues With Cellulite Than Men
BOSTON (CBS) - It's a cruel fact of life: about 75 percent of all women will develop cellulite, while men rarely get it at all.
Many women will agree this is unfair while wishing they could change this situation.
But that unsightly dimpled flesh is not an equal opportunity affliction.
"In women, the skin and the underlying connective tissue is thinner, and that fat layer is actually thicker," Dr. Elizabeth Farhut, a dermatologist, explained.
Throw in the fact higher levels of estrogen mean women generally have more fat than men, and the result is cellulite around the hips and buttocks.
Men, on the other hand, tend to carry their extra weight around the middle. That changes the way the body handles additional pounds, and also compounds the gender injustice.
"The stomach, it's not a big muscle that you are flexing all the time," said Dr. Farhut. "The hips and thighs, we are using to move around, and that's causing more tension to push that fat out on the surface."
One woman at Logan Airport echoed the sentiment that women have not been dealt a fair hand.
"I mean we have to do a lot to keep up our appearance, and try to look young and all," she said.
Despite what you might see advertised, Dr. Farhut said there aren't any good treatments for cellulite.
Much of it has to do with heredity and DNA.
Experts say a well-balanced diet and exercise that includes weight training is the best approach to reducing overall body fat.
Plenty of women everywhere are still hoping for a magical cure.
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