Summer is upon us and bathing suits beckon. For legs that are smooth and beach-ready it's important to first understand what cellulite is and then to assess the most effective and safe options for controlling it.

The dimples are the result of a simple breakdown of connective tissue directly below the skin and while they can be reduced cellulite never completely disappears. But things aren't all bad. There are several things you can do to significantly change the appearance of cellulite-prone zones. Exercise is key as is a healthy diet and lots of water. Algae extracts detoxify and increase metabolic function while green tea has been found to actually burn fat. Massage therapy also treats cellulite by clearing the lymphatic system and increasing circulation.

It's easy to forget that the skin is an organ - the body's largest eliminative organ, in fact. When operating at its peak, the skin should excrete up to one-third of the body's toxins - that's a lot of gunk. While we are fairly obsessed with keeping our skin hairless and silky soft, we give don't give nearly enough attention to how well it functions.