Creams, massage, diet and exercise may all have a beneficial effect on the appearance of cellulite - but there's no cure for the condition.
Cellulite is the name commonly given to the dimpled, 'orange peel' skin on the thighs, buttocks, knees and lower abdomen. It's the body's natural way of storing fat in women and occurs even in very thin women. According to Dr Michael Goldman, a dermatologist at the University of California, cellulite is now being taken more seriously (although some dermatologists still don't 'believe' in it, and others see it as just a cosmetic problem).

Dr Goldman reviews the four main approaches for treating cellulite: creams, massage, diet and exercise. Cellulite creams can contain a wide array of ingredients and, unfortunately, there have been no controlled trials into these components and their effect on cellulite. You should try one product on, say, a leg for a number of months to see if it has any effect on the skin, before using it on the rest of the body.

Massage usually consists of a technique called endermologie, which originated in France, and is currently being researched. Its stretching action is found beneficial by some women. As far as diet is concerned, no one diet or food really has an impact on cellulite. Toning exercises can be helpful, however. There are no permanent solutions to cellulite, but increasing numbers of dermatologists are realising it's an important issue to their patients. More attention and more research could produce some more effective solutions to cellulite.