Lipodystrophy: A Literature Review

Gynoid lipodystrophy (GLD), also known as edematous adiposity and deforming dermatopaniculosis and commonly called cellulite, occurs as a result of fat deposition under the skin.It is characterized by structural, inflammatory, and biochemical disorders of the subcutaneous tissue that cause irregular changes in the appearance of the epidermis.These consist of bulges caused by projections of fat and subcutaneous structures towards the skin's surface, together with depressions caused by skin retraction due to subcutaneous fibrous septa.The female population accounts for 95% of gynoid lipodystrophy cases where it usually appears after puberty.It is potentially exacerbated during periods of increased estrogen levels such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, menstruation, and the use of oral contraceptives [1,2,3,4].