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Cellulite is a condition characterized by portions of subdermal, adipose, fat-containing tissue that migrates into and through the subdermal elastic tissue matrix. Cellulite appears due to the protrusion of pockets of depot fat from subcutaneous tissue through an elastic layer of connective tissue overlying the depot fat into the dermis. Patients having cellulite appear to exhibit a deficiency in the fibrous layer at the interface between the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue. This deficiency allows depot fat below the interface to protrude through the fibrous layer and into the dermis, thereby causing irregular elevations and depressions of the dermis characterized by a "dimpled" appearance. Cellulite is not a unique substance; indeed, it is no different from fat cells found in any other part of the body. Fat cells have fat-storing and fat-releasing receptor sites. Different parts of the body are characterized by fat cells with more fat-storing sites or more fat-releasing sites. The distribution of adipose tissue throughout the body is not uniform. In certain areas of the body, such as the subcutaneous tissue, adipose tissue is present in great abundance. Adipose tissue consists of small vesicles or "fat cells" lodged within a matrix of areolar connective tissue. In many parts of the body, the areolae are occupied by fat cells. The matrix and fat cells constituting adipose tissue are referred to as "depot fat".