"Management for cellulite would be truly revolutionary," says Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, professor and chairman of the department of plastic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. A real breakthrough in cellulite treatment will likely come from some type of prescription drug rather than devices that essentially beat or heat cellulite into submission, he says.

"It has to do with estrogen-induced skin changes," Rohrich says. "It's natural. Everybody has cellulite." The appearance of cellulite is more common in women, however, because of differences in the distribution of fat, muscle and connective tissue.

Even liposuction does not cure cellulite, Rohrich says. It removes fat and can shrink thigh circumference, but it does not change skin composition. Carefully done, however, liposuction plus diet and exercise can reduce the appearance of cellulite.