At some point during their lives, most women are affected by cellulite. Today, there is a massive industry dedicated to banishing cellulite, but there is also a lot of misinformation out there about what it is, what causes it and how to get rid of it. We all recognise those dreaded underlying fat deposits, which give our bodies a lumpy cottage-cheese texture, but what is really going on beneath the skin to give it that dimply appearance?
Cellulite is basically fat found just beneath the surface of the skin that’s bulging out through a web of connective tissue. In younger people, fat cells are held in place by that connective tissue, but as a person ages, the fat begins to poke through, giving the skin’s surface a dimpled, lumpy look. Having cellulite doesn’t mean a person is overweight; however, losing weight may reduce it.
Hormones can play an important role in cellulite development. Many scientists believe oestrogen, insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones and prolactin are part of the cellulite production process. Another factor that can cause cellulite is genetics. Certain genes are required for cellulite development. Genes may predispose an individual to particular characteristics associated with cellulite, such as gender, race, slow metabolism, distribution of fat just underneath the skin and circulatory insufficiency. People who have a healthy lifestyle are less likely to have cellulite. This is partially because exercise reduces body fat and causes smaller fat cells. People who consume too much fat, carbohydrates or salt and too little fibre are likely to have greater amounts of cellulite. Smoking, excessive drinking or sitting for long periods can also lead to the onset of cellulite.
The good news is that there are treatments that can help reduce the appearance of cellulite and enhance the health of the skin — although, despite what you might read on their labels, there is currently no medical research to support the effectiveness of cellulite creams that claim to dissolve fat and smooth the skin. People searching for totally non-invasive procedures to combat cellulite usually turn to treatments that incorporate radio frequency and magnetic pulse therapies that travel deep into the skin, resulting in increased blood-circulation, immediate plumping and glowing skin. Procedures like Venus Legacy are repetition treatments, so they do require around six treatments but cause little downtime or discomfort, and most patients do see results after a few treatments.
For quicker and more effective solutions, patients have to undergo minimally invasive techniques that fight cellulite by breaking up the structures that make the skin dimple. One such treatment is Vasersmooth, which is able to treat cellulite by breaking down (via ultrasound) the structures that cause the unevenness on the surface of the skin, as well as contour irregularities. In order to get under the layer of skin and emulsify the fat of the targeted area, a few tiny incisions are made for a thin cannula to pass through. Before the ultrasound energy is applied, a solution of water, numbing medication and adrenalin is permeated.
The technology integrated in such procedures enables the doctor performing the operation to apply only the amount of energy needed to the targeted tissues so as not to cause any harm to surrounding area, nerves and blood vessels.
The ultrasound energy reaches the layer under the patient’s skin, liquefying the fat and triggering collagen growth, which in turn reduces or even eliminates the appearance of dimples in the skin. Results are noticeable immediately after the procedure and continue to improve for up to 12 months.
Finally, forget any claims from clothing companies that say their elasticated clothes will have a lasting effect on cellulite. It’s just a marketing gimmick, in fact the opposite may be true. Elastic bands on underwear, for example, can actually contribute to the appearance of cellulite if they cut off circulation and limit blood flow.
This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.