• What exactly is cellulite anyway (besides the stuff that makes you feel anxious in when it's time to break out the short shorts)? Cellulite is fat that appears as dimpled skin that can resemble an orange peel in its appearance, or in more severe cases, cottage cheese.Mayo Clinic: Cellulite More common in women than in men, cellulite most often shows up on the upper thighs and buttocks, though it may be found on the abdomen, upper arms and breasts.Mayo Clinic: Cellulite Though cellulite usually appears as you get older, unfortunately it can strike anyone—even teenagers and those with relatively low body fat.Prevention: Cellulite Alert! Keep reading to learn what treatments may help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

• Though it seemingly comes out of nowhere, cellulite does have its causes. These include:Mayo Clinic: Cellulite

1. Age: As we age, skin often loses its elasticity, which means fat more easily rises to the surface, creating that bumpy texture we define as cellulite.Mayo Clinic: Cellulite
2. Genetics: If your mother had cellulite, chances are you will too. The Mayo Clinic notes that genetics is believed to be one of the biggest causes of cellulite—and there's nothing you can do about your genes, unfortunately. A full 80% of women have reported incidences of cellulite, so you and your family members aren't alone.Mayo Clinic: Cellulite
3. Inactivity: Gaining weight may increase the cellulite you see in your body because there is simply more fat to rise to the skin's surface. Though many slim people report cellulite, too.Mayo Clinic: Cellulite
4. Stress: Don't underestimate the effects of stress! Try to reduce stress in your life as much as possible to keep your body looking and feeling healthy.

• Because cellulite comes from fat trapped underneath your skin, exercising to reduce fat may also reduce the cellulite you see on your body.

1. Fat essentially takes up more space than muscle does, so it can "bulge" from the skin, creating the bumpy texture we identify with cellulite. Thus, replacing fat with muscle may reduce the appearance of cellulite, says Prevention.Prevention: Cellulite Alert!
2. The Mayo Clinic notes that it's not so much that you're targeting the cellulite itself, but by improving muscle tone, you can maintain skin tone, which will prevent fat from cropping up and disturbing skin's even texture.Mayo Clinic: Cellulite
3. Start by amping up the cardiovascular exercise. MSNBC reports that a recent study showed that women who got 20 minutes of cardio plus a little strength training three times per week not only lost weight but saw an improvement in their cellulite.MSNBC: Work It! Beach Bodies Don't Come Easy
4. Working out with weights or machines that force you to lift your own body weight will help to turn fat to muscle, making it harder for cellulite to surface.MSNBC: Work It! Beach Bodies Don't Come Easy
5. See Mahalo's how to build muscle for more tips.

• You'll want to focus on the muscles in your lower body, where cellulite strikes most often.Prevention: Cellulite Alert!

1. To learn key exercises that target the lower body, see this group of exercises from Prevention, all of which aim to reduce cellulite. (Note some will require ankle weights for maximum results.)Prevention: Cellulite Alert!
2. Lunges, squats and leg lifts have been proven particularly effective in combating cellulite, according to a report from MSNBC.MSNBC: Work It! Beach Bodies Don't Come Easy

• Shedding pounds may make your cellulite less noticeable, and if you are overweight, losing a few extra pounds could do wonders for your overall health and energy level.

1. The Mayo Clinic notes that losing weight, and thus reducing body fat, may help in your struggle against cellulite, but it isn't a guarantee for eliminating cellulite completely.Mayo Clinic: Cellulite
2. Following a reduced-calorie diet, combined with exercise, can lead to a reduction in cellulite along with weight loss, says MSNBC.MSNBC: Work It! Beach Bodies Don't Come Easy
3. See Mahalo's guide to how to lose weight for thorough advice on diet and exercise.
4. Companion pieces such as Mahalo's how to eat healthy foods and how to eat less sugar also provide valuable weight loss tips.

A Few Words about Liposuction

• While liposuction is certainly a speedy means of removing fat, it won't necessarily get rid of your cellulite and has in some cases been known to make it appear worse, according to the Mayo Clinic.Mayo Clinic: Cellulite

• While lipsuction removes fat, what it can't do is take out the "bands of tissue" that give your skin that bumpy texture.Real Simple: "Miracle" Cures for Skin Woes?

• Professional massage can even out the bumps.

1. A professional massaging technique called Endermologie has been known to even skin tone through its suction-massage technique, according to Real Simple.Real Simple: "Miracle" Cures for Skin Woes?
2. You'll need to find a professional to perform Endermologie, and though prices vary, expect to pay $150 per session over a two month period.Real Simple: "Miracle" Cures for Skin Woes?
3. Talk to your dermatologist or regular physician for a recommendation on who near you practices Endermologie or other cellulite-reducing massage.

• The Mayo Clinic states that most creams that claim to reduce cellulite don't have medical proof of their success.Mayo Clinic: Cellulite

1. An article in Real Simple noted that some anti-cellulite creams may have short term effects at making your cellulite appear less noticeable.Real Simple: "Miracle" Cures for Skin Woes?
2. You'll need to reapply often to get that tightening effect and remember that these lotions are a quick, temporary fix.Real Simple: "Miracle" Cures for Skin Woes?
3. If you want to experiment, you can find anti-cellulite creams at your drugstore, department store or beauty supply shop.
4. Simply massaging the creams into your body may temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite since "vigorous massage" has been shown to be effective against cellulite, says the Mayo Clinic.Mayo Clinic: Cellulite

• While you may not be able to get rid of cellulite altogether, you can make it less noticeable, which may help you ease into that swimsuit a little faster next summer. Plus, the health benefits of losing extra pounds and reinvigorating your exercise routine go far beyond the skin's surface.