Cellulite Body Contouring
Are you frustrated with dimpled skin on your abdomen, thighs, and buttocks? Do you dream of smooth skin that complements your fit body? Here's some good news. A board certified dermatologist or licensed aesthetician can help you reduce or eliminate the dimpling which is called cellulite. Please keep reading to learn more about treatment options for cellulite. Recent technological advances have ensured that cosmetic surgeons now have various non invasive body contouring and cellulite treatments to offer patients.
Why does cellulite form?
The skin structure includes septae or fibrous bands that connect the upper layers of skin to the underlying dermal collagen fibers and surrounding connective tissue. Cellulite forms when these fibrous bands in the skin tighten or break, pulling the skin downward. This allows the subcutaneous fat under the skin to push upward. The results is the formation of puckering or dimpling. The “cottage cheese” appearance is what is commonly called cellulite.
Roughly 9 out of 10 adult women have cellulite. It frequently forms on the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. Cellulite can become worse with age because the skin loses its elasticity. Loose skin cannot resist the tension created by the tightening fibrous bands.
People who are overweight tend to have more cellulite. However, even lean women without any skin laxity can develop the dimpling and puckering. While weight loss with a healthy diet and regular exercise might help, it is rarely enough to eliminate cellulite completely.
Does anything really work for cellulite?
Yes, not only can you get localized reduction in cellulite but it is also possible to achieve an overall improvement in your body shape, including circumferential reduction in problem areas like the abdomen and thighs. A plastic surgeon can perform non surgical body contouring treatments to get rid of unwanted fat in problem areas, thus reducing thigh and abdominal circumferences. When combined with FDA cleared cellulite treatments, these procedures can give you a body that you didn't think was possible.
Does body contouring reduce cellulite?
Body contouring is an umbrella term that describes treatments that tighten, smoothen, and reshape the body. It can include things like localized fat reduction, cellulite treatments, muscle toning, and skin tightening. For example, the Evolve body contouring system is ideal for areas like the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttock, and upper arms. This treatment uses radio frequency energy to deliver targeted fat reduction, cellulite reduction, skin tightening, and muscle toning. It is non-invasive, meaning that the treatments do not involve surgery. This translates to less risk, faster recovery, no downtime, and lower costs with long-lasting results.
What are the options for cellulite treatment?
Aestheticians use various technologies to help with temporary reduction in cellulite. Many of these treatments can achieve results that last for a year or more. However, none are permanent. Some of the most commonly used treatments for cellulite are described below.
Laser Treatment (Cellulaze®)
Laser therapy for cellulite reduction is an FDA cleared treatment (brand name Cellulaze). This procedure involves inserting a tiny laser device into the skin through a small incision. The laser energy causes deep heating of the skin tissues. This releases some of the fibrous bands causing cellulite. It also stimulates collagen formation in the skin which, over time, improves the skin tone, texture, and elasticity. The treatment can also reduce the number of fat cells, in the abdominal area, for example, leading to a more sculpted appearance. This is a minimally invasive cellulite treatment done using local anesthesia. Downtime is 1-2 days. Cellulaze results last for around one year. Most patients need only one treatment to achieve the desired result.
Other Energy Treatments
Other treatments that treat existing cellulite and prevent new cellulite from forming use radiofrequency energy, ultrasound energy, or infrared light. These procedures also stimulate new and better collagen formation besides reducing cellulite for an overall smoother and younger appearing skin texture. They might also help with mild fat reduction in the treated area. Examples include Venus Freeze®, VelaShape®, Zimmer Z Wave, and ThermiSmooth® Body. These cellulite treatments are non-invasive with no downtime. However, several treatment sessions are required for optimal results. Also, the visible results are temporary and repeat treatment is needed every few months to maintain results.
Injectable Treatments (QWO®)
The first injectable treatment for cellulite that received FDA clearance is called QWO. The injection solution contains enzymes that break down the fibrous bands that cause dimpling and cellulite formation. The treatment also stimulates formation of flexible septae and redistribution of fat cells under the skin for an overall smoother appearance. Many patients need 3 QWO treatments at a gap of 3 weeks to get the desired outcome. The side effects including bruising but this is temporary. There is no downtime.
Mechanical Cellulite Treatments (Cellfina®)
While energy based treatments rely on efficient heating of the skin to reduce cellulite, subcision treatments like Cellfina work by mechanically releasing the fibrous septae in the treatment area. This is accomplished by inserting a tiny medical device with a thin blade into the skin through a small incision. The skin is gently suctioned into a cup, thus minimizing damage to the surrounding tissues. The treatment is done using local anesthesia. While it is still only a temporary reduction, Cellfina provides long term reduction in cellulite for up to 3 years. There is minimal downtime and visible results are noticeable within a few days. Common side effects are mild redness and soreness, which are temporary. Serious complications are very rare when the treatment is done by a qualified physician.
Massage and Creams
Most patients start by using creams and lotions that claim to improve cellulite. Some medical grade products might help by improving collagen formation and making the skin tighter and firmer. However, even the best products cannot dramatically improve the appearance of cellulite. The creams simply cannot provide the type of extensive remodeling of fat, fibrous bands, and surrounding connective tissue that is needed to eliminate cellulite.
Massage has been used for decades in an effort to reduce cellulite. A massage device that is typically used has a vacuum suction cup or roller head. The vacuum stimulates the skin and subcutaneous fat and can break up fibrous septae. However, the positive effects, if any, are temporary. It is also possible that the smoothing effect is due to some mild inflammation caused by massaging the treatment area.
What is the best procedure to get rid of cellulite?
Acoustic wave therapy, laser treatment, subcision, and vacuum-assisted tissue release are all effective ways to treat cellulite. Your provider can help you decide which is the best way to reduce the appearance of cellulite in your skin.
Who is a good candidate for cellulite reduction?
Women are more likely to develop cellulite than men. The dimpled skin that is common with the appearance of cellulite is often unsightly and bothersome. Cellulite treatment is recommended for anyone who is bothered by skin dimpling. It is ideal for people who are at a stable weight and body volume and are not considerably overweight. As with any elective procedure, being in good general health is a pre-requisite. Lastly, it is important to have realistic expectations. Many cellulite reduction treatments can reduce dimpling, but may not make it totally disappear. An effective treatment can, however, increase collagen production and give your skin an overall smoother, firmer, more youthful appearance.
Choosing a provider for cellulite reduction
Non-invasive cellulite reduction treatments like Venus Freeze, VelaShape, and Z Wave can be safely performed by a licensed aesthetician working under a physician's guidance. Minimally invasive cellulite treatments that require an incision, such as Cellfina and Cellulaze, and laser treatments must be performed by a provider with more advanced knowledge of anatomy and more medical training.
If diet, exercise, and weight loss haven't worked. If anti-cellulite creams did not give you the results you wanted. And if you want to do something so you have less cellulite, download the MeTime app today. MeTime makes it easy to find providers for minimally invasive and non invasive body contouring and cellulite treatment. You can chat with experts, share photos, do a video consultation, and get quotes. And when you're ready, you can even pay securely and book your first appointment through MeTime.
