“Edematous-fibrosclerotic panniculopathy” is a medical term used to describe cellulite. In the past decade, there has been extensive research to clarify the possible causes, and many authors agree on the following points:

• Adipose cells (fat cells) swell due to fat storage.
  
  
• Capillary walls become excessively permeable causing localized accumulation of fluid.
  
  
• Inadequate lymphatic drainage slows the removal of excess fluid.
  
  
• Adipose cells cluster and are bound by collagen fibers, which further impedes blood flow.
  
  
• Connective tissue strands stiffen, pulling down on their anchor points. 

The changes in blood flow, lymphatic drainage, fat, and connective tissue result in cellulite - a bumpy or dimpled appearance of the skin [Ref. 3].