Cellulite Treatment

Through the use of radio-frequency energy, infrared heat and light, your dermatologist or plastic surgeon can reduce the appearance of unwanted cellulite. These treatments work in two primary ways:

·     They penetrate deep within the skin to break up fat

·     They stimulate collagen and elastin production to tighten up the skin.

A combination of laser, vacuum, massage and/or radio frequency devices can help reduce cellulite. Some brand names this type of cellulite treatment goes by are:

• Cellulaze
• Cellfina
• Emtone
• SmoothShapes
• VelaShape
• VelaSmooth
• Endermologie

Cellulite, which affects 90 percent of women, doesn’t just live on the thighs either—it can also occur on the butt, as well as the stomach, and even the arms.

Anti-cellulite treatments are said not to be painful—they purportedly feel like a deep-tissue massage but with more heat. Ideal areas for treatment are the thighs and buttocks. Each machine (depending on what brand your doctor offers) is a bit different and the number of treatments varies. Most people require four to 10 sessions but sometimes more. There is no downtime with these types of treatments.

This FDA-approved noninvasive technique, which was developed in France more than a decade ago, uses physical stimulation to increase circulation, which temporarily helps decrease cellulite. A single session takes 30 to 60 minutes—and, you can return to work immediately. Although some women see results with these treatments, others do not, and it’s important to know beforehand that there is no long-term cure for cellulite, and all of these treatments require follow-up sessions after the initial series is complete in order to maintain results.

Cellulaze is a minimally invasive treatment that uses a laser to melt fat and break up the

attachments to the skin while increasing collagen production. The areas of concern are marked up by your doctor before a few small incisions are made (local anesthesia is used), in which the laser is inserted to break up the fat and release the fibrous bands. The one-time treatment takes 60 to 90 minutes to perform, and it’s not uncommon to have some bruising and minor pain afterward. You can see results in the first few months, but they will improve over one year.

SmoothShapes employs photomology technology to stimulate natural metabolic processes that can decrease underlying causes of cellulite, like edema or poor blood circulation.

Safe for all skin types, the virtually pain-free procedure (which feels like a deep-tissue massage with some skin warming) uses laser and light energy with contoured rollers and vacuum suction to target problem areas and restore enlarged fat cells to their original size.

During the treatment—eight sessions are needed—collagen production is stimulated to smooth and tighten the skin. Photomology also stimulates natural metabolic processes to decrease underlying causes of cellulite, like edema and poor blood circulation.

With SmoothShapes, there is mild to moderate improvement in the appearance of fat, and mild improvement in cellulite. The treatment works well for treating cellulite on the abdomen, arms and thighs.

Both VelaShape and VelaSmooth target areas plagued by cellulite like the stomach, love handles and arms. A series of treatments noticeably improves the appearance of cellulite and gives the look of firmer, tighter skin in the treated areas.

Anti-cellulite treatments are said to be most effective on minimal to moderate cellulite.

Those who are not experiencing cellulite.

Anti-cellulite treatments may help to diminish the appearance of cellulite, but they will not get rid of it permanently. In order to optimize the results of the treatment, it’s suggested to follow a healthy diet and to drink plenty of water. The pain- and downtime-free treatments require follow-up treatments to maintain results.

Despite the energy source used, almost all anti-cellulite lasers work to temporarily smooth out dimpled skin by sending energy to the tissue to break up the composition of fat cells. Some doctors choose to use cellulite-fighting lasers after liposuction to smooth out dimples and lumps. Even though you may see improvement, it’s important to understand that the results are not permanent—you will need touch-up sessions each year to keep cellulite at bay.

Factors like weight gain, hormones and falling back into bad dietary habits can all cause cellulite to return. The best way to prevent your cellulite from returning is to maintain a stable, healthy weight, eat right and exercise regularly.

Any oral pill that increases the amount of estrogen in the body or causes the body to retain excess water, including birth control, diet and even sleeping pills, can possibly lead to cellulite.

Women are more prone to cellulite than men because of the shape of female fat cells. Male fat cells are not smooth and live deep within the skin. In women, the fat cells are closer to the surface and smooth in shape. Because the fat cells in men stay deep within the skin, it’s harder for them to make their way to the surface, which is why most men never experience cellulite.

Treating your cellulite in the early stages is the best plan of attack if you want to diminish its appearance. Since cellulite affects everyone differently, there is no set amount of time that it takes for it to progress and worsen. Some women notice exacerbated cellulite in a matter of months or a year, while in others, it can take years for cellulite to worsen.

Although many don’t realize it, there is a connection between cellulite and your hormones. Some experts believe that the female hormone estrogen tends to aggravate and worsen cellulite since estrogen naturally encourages the body to build up and store fat, especially in hard-to-firm areas like the stomach, thighs, hips and butt. During pregnancy, hormone levels rise and cellulite can worsen as a result. But once the body returns to normal, most times, so does cellulite.