According to Fitness Magazine, an overwhelming majority of women have cellulite– and supermodels, beach volleyball players and powerhouse Pilates-lovers are no exception. While the dimpled lines in fatty deposits of cellulite just below the skin aren’t a health hazard, most women loathe its presence. So what is the best way to reduce cellulite?

While research doesn’t prove that working out reduces cellulite, experience tells us that exercise plays a vital role. Dr. Patricia Farris, MD, a dermatologist from New Orleans maintains that women should lift weights two or three times a week in order to minimize the development of fatty deposits under the skin. She advises that “resistance exercise” acts like “filler” for your skin, and that if “your muscles are more defined, your skin will look smoother.”

Dr. Molly Wanner, MD, professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School, agrees. Her position is that by hitting the weight room—and maintaining a healthy weight—women can achieve more muscle, and minimize that layer of fat below the skin.

While Dr. Wanner emphasizes the importance of healthy weight, she points out that toning and conditioning, the cellulite will stick around. In fact, because the skin often slackens after weight loss, “pulling on the septae,” the cellulite may even appear worse after shedding pounds. Age is also a factor, she says. The older we get, the more effort women must make to keep skin taut—and strength training, according to Dr. Wanner, is the best way to go.