Cellulite, first introduced into medical literature in the 1970s, has been plaguing woman long before the term was coined. While many doctors don't consider cellulite to be a medical problem, those that do believe it is a real medical condition don't fully understand why cellulite occurs or how it can be treated.

William Coleman, MD, in his book Cosmetic Surgery of the Skin describes cellulite as “a term best applied to the egg carton appearance of the skin of the buttocks and thighs. This dimpled appearance probably represents compartmentalization of the underlying fat between connective tissue fibers that extend from the overlying dermis down to the fascia. This waffling deformity can be seen with or without excessive fat accumulation.”

Cellulite is referred to often in cosmetic dermatology textbooks, and plastic surgeons are constantly looking for new ways to treat the condition. Cellulite affects about 80 percent of post-pubertal women during some stage in their life and is linked to the hormone estrogen.

Estrogen affects blood vessels in the body and skin, creating ruptures and vessel deficiency in the microcirculatory system, which causes tissue damage. In essence, many doctors think of cellulite as an error in the wound healing process.

Because both fibrous tissue and fat are involved in cellulite, treating the condition can be complex. There are a number of minimally invasive procedures like endermologie and laser therapy, which can help reduce the appearance of cellulite, but only offer temporary results.

Melvin L. Elson, MD, a dermatologist who has done extensive research in the areas of soft tissue augmentation and topical vitamins, believes the best method to get rid of cellulite would be to combine a minimally-invasive device procedure followed by topical creams like vitamin K, which can repair damaged vessels and evade impairment of microcirculation.

“Topical therapy is most important, since it completes the treatment and maintains the results, preventing further progression of the condition,” wrote Elson in an article for Healthy Aging.

Elson also added that cellulite would be more effectively treated if doctors began viewing the condition from a wound healing perspective.