FEBRUARY 9, 2016 |BY ALYSSA RAIOLA

What Causes Cellulite (and Can You Do Anything About It)?

If you’ve picked up in a women’s magazine in last decade, chances are you’ve come across a story that promises to give you the secret to get rid of “cottage cheese thighs.” While we think cottage cheese should only be used to describe dairy, not your body, cellulite is a very real (and natural!) thing.

As this video from Fusion explains, as we get older, fat tends to build up in the fibers that connect our skin and muscles. When those fibers get stretched out, the fat pushes up against the skin and we get a bulges of cellulite (usually around the hips, thighs, stomach, and butt). There’s no scientific evidence to back any of the miracle cures you’ve heard about, from creams to supplements. But there are a few things—avoiding super tight clothing (that may restrict your blood flow) and eating a diet rich in fruits, veggies, and fiber to maintain weight—that can help.