Fat or thin, short or tall, it can be an issue for even the slimmest and fittest of women. It is caused when the body stores fat in the top fat layer - the one directly under the skin. Unlike the body’s other fat layers, fat here has a different structure and appears dimpled under the skin.

Your hormones and your metabolism are usually the reason that your body will store fat here (sadly it can be hereditary so blame your mother), these two factors also control the regulation of blood flow to the area and the body’s lymphatic drainage, which is why cellulite often forms in puberty, pregnancy and menopause.

The amount of fat in your body, is of course an issue too and even the thickness of your skin can determine how visible one woman’s cellulite is next to another’s.

Water intake and lymphatic drainage are important and can improve the appearance of cellulite, although they won’t eliminate it once formed. Massage treatments and hydration all help as they puff up the skin and reduce the appearance of the dreaded dimples. An unhealthy lifestyle however will worsen the problem, causing toxins to accumulate in this top layer of fat, making the appearance of cellulite worse.

The beauty counters are full of wonder products that claim to improve or even banish cellulite and there are plenty of treatments available in beauty salons too. But do they really work and are they worth the money? Read below to find the products and treatments we think are worth trying.