Orange-peel skin is a common term for cellulite: dimpling and unevenness, often on the buttocks and thighs. It results from the interaction of connective tissue bands, fat and skin, and can also occur in slim people.
Cellulite is common and is not, in itself, a dangerous condition. Predisposition, hormonal influences and tissue characteristics all play a part. It should not be confused with cellulitis, a bacterial infection of the tissues beneath the skin.
Treatments differ in their aims and the evidence supporting their effects. Some target individual connective tissue bands that pull the skin down; others target the skin surface. Liposuction does not reliably remove cellulite and may make unevenness more pronounced. The extent and duration of any improvement vary between individuals.