The key difference between cellulite and fat is that cellulite is the hypodermal adipose tissue found inside the skin while fat is the adipose tissue found between and around the organs, deep in the abdomen, and adipose tissue found under the skin.
Cellulite and fat both involve the accumulation of adipose tissue beneath the skin. Cellulite is the adipose tissue found inside the skin. Cellulite is made when collections of fat push against the connective tissue inside the skin. However, fat refers to visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues in the body.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Cellulite
3. What is Fat
4. Similarities – Cellulite and Fat
5. Cellulite vs. Fat in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Cellulite and Fat
7. Summary – Cellulite vs. Fat
What is Cellulite?
In the formation of cellulite, accumulated fat cells are pressed against the skin, causing the connective tissue beneath the skin to pull downward. This creates an uneven surface or dimpling, often referred to as cellulite. Cellulite is mainly composed of fat cells and a high amount of connective tissue. Moreover, it is also characterized by high levels of inflammation, water retention, poor circulation, fibrosis, and contraction of the said connective tissue. Cellulite can be caused due to different factors such as genetics, diet, lifestyle, and hormonal factors.
Figure 01: Cellulite
Moreover, cellulite can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, blood tests, and skin biopsy. Cellulite can be treated through laser and radiofrequency therapy, acoustic wave therapy, and surgery.
What is Fat?
Fat refers to visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues. Fat is made up of adipocytes, small amounts of connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. It does not cause specific texture on the skin. High levels of fat can accumulate in the body due to diets that contain high saturated fats, alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, and genetics.
Figure 02: Fat
Abnormal levels of fat can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin biopsy. Furthermore, abnormal fat buildup in the body can be treated through proper diet, staying active, liposuction, and other surgeries.
What are the Similarities Between Cellulite and Fat?
- Cellulite and fat both involve the accumulation of adipose tissue beneath the skin.
- Both contain fat cells and connective tissues.
- They can be observed through physical examination.
- Both can be distributed throughout the body.
What is the Difference Between Cellulite and Fat?
Cellulite is the hypodermal adipose tissue found inside the skin while fat is the adipose tissue found between and around the organs, deep in the abdomen, and adipose tissue found under the skin. Thus, this is the key difference between cellulite and fat. Furthermore, cellulite is mainly composed of fat cells and a high amount of connective tissue. On the other hand, fat is mainly composed of adipocytes, small amounts of connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves.
The infographic below presents the differences between cellulite and fat in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Cellulite and Fat
Are fat and cellulite the same?
Fat and cellulite are two different things. Cellulite is the adipose tissue inside the skin with high levels of connective tissue and a lot of water retention and fibrosis. Fat is the adipose tissue under the skin with some connective tissue and with little water retention.
How to remove cellulite?
Laser treatment and acoustic wave therapy can help to remove cellulite.
Is cellulite fat hard to lose?
Cellulite can be hard to lose in areas such as hips, thighs, and buttocks that are less metabolically active.
Summary – Cellulite vs. Fat
Fat can be seen everywhere in the body. Cellulite is a type of hypodermal fat found above the subcutaneous adipose tissue. Therefore, cellulite is found inside the skin. Moreover, cellulite appears mainly on the legs, stomach, buttocks, and thighs. So, this summarizes the difference between cellulite and fat.
Reference:
1. “Adipose Tissue: Physiology to Metabolic Dysfunction.” National Library of Medicine.
2. “Cellulite: What It Is, Causes & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Cellulitis 2” By Emergency Medicine Clinic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DEED) via Flickr
2. “A Man Holding His Tummy” (CC0) via Pexels