What is the difference between cellulite and lipedema?

What is the difference between cellulite and lipedema?

Lipedema is a medical condition that causes excess fat to accumulate in the lower part of the body. Lipedema most often involves the buttocks, thighs and calves. The upper arms are sometimes affected. It doesn’t affect the hands or feet.

Lipedema causes your skin to become sensitive. If you have lipedema, your skin may hurt, swell, feel cold or bruise easily. Your skin’s texture often changes as well—it may look like cottage cheese, oatmeal or an orange peel. As lipedema gets worse, it can affect your ability to walk.

Cellulite is a cosmetic condition. It also most often involves the stomach, butt and thighs, and it also looks like cottage cheese, oatmeal or an orange peel. Cellulite may look embarrassing, but it isn’t painful.