Those pesky dimples around your thighs and buttocks that make you squirm at the thought of exposing your legs in the summer months? That’s cellulite. According to Healthline, cellulite “forms when fatty tissue deep in the skin pushes up against connective tissue.” And guess what? It’s completely normal.

Despite the role it might play in people’s negative body image — especially in comparison to the perfect bodies seen on Instagram or on the cover of magazines — it’s important to remember that almost all women deal with cellulite. In fact, NYC-based cosmetic dermatologist Dendy Engleman told Cosmopolitan that around 93 percent of women have cellulite on their body, and it’s something that becomes more visible when women’s bodies change in their 20s.

Still, there is unfortunately a lot of stigma around cellulite and many women are hell-bent on getting rid of it. But, it’s not always that simple. Cellulite is caused by a whole host of factors from age to hormones to genetics.

That’s why you need to stop believing this prevalent myth.

Cellulite is not something only overweight people have

Despite popular belief, those who are overweight are not the only people who have visible cellulite on their bodies. Like Engleman said, almost 93 percent of women have cellulite but, according to the World Health Organization, in 2016, 40 percent of women were overweight. Clearly, there’s a huge percentage of women who don’t struggle with extra pounds, but who still have cellulite.

But if cellulite isn’t caused by weight gain alone, what is it caused by?

According to Healthline, cellulite can be down to a series of factors. Namely age (which results in a loss of collagen and poor circulation, resulting in more visible cellulite), family history, and hormones.

Medical News Today cites estrogen, insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin as “part of the cellulite production process.” Estrogen, in particular, is important to understand when it comes to cellulite. PureWow reports that estrogen leads to thinner skin, which can increase the visibility of cellulite compared to men. Also, as women get older, estrogen levels decrease which can, in turn, lead to lower blood flow and enlarged fat cells (which we all have) under the skin.

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