ABSTRACT
Cellulite results from many complex events that involve the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue (1). Cellulite can be divided into four stages:
1. alterations to the precapillary arteriolar sphincter, leading to changes in vascular permeability and capillaceous ectasia resulting in pericapillary and interadiposity transudation, leading to edema;
2. edema, provoking metabolic changes that result in hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the reticular network, leading to the formation of pericapillary and periadipose deposits with an increase in interstitial viscosity;
3. organization of collagen fibers around groups of adipocytes, forming micronodules; and 4. union of the micronodules to form the macronodules that cause sclerosis (6).
