{"id":5224,"date":"2021-11-16T07:18:47","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T12:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skinlyaesthetics.com\/?p=5224"},"modified":"2022-05-18T18:04:48","modified_gmt":"2022-05-18T22:04:48","slug":"treatment-options-for-cellulite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skinlyaesthetics.com\/treatment-options-for-cellulite\/","title":{"rendered":"Cellulite is a complex, multifactorial process, what are the options?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before we dive into all the ins and outs about how those pesky dimples work and how to get rid of them, please keep in mind that cellulite is absolutely normal and incredibly common. So common that an estimated 80% to 90% of postpubertal women deal with it<\/a>, meaning that more often than not, especially in women, cellulite is present on one or the other part of our bodies. This can come from a variety of factors, and while there is a huge common misconception that cellulite is a sign of being overweight or having too much fat in a given region of the body, this is certainly not always the case. In fact, most cases of cellulite are caused by more uncontrollable factors such as genetics, hormones, medical reasons, and yes, sometimes weight gain. Regardless of how common it is, and how severe your cellulite is, it is still a major cause of insecurity for many of us, which is why there has been countless trial and error in terms of effective cellulite treatment. Below are the most common causes behind cellulite, along with a description of various successful and unsuccessful treatment attempts for the classic dimpling seen in oh so many of us!<\/p>

\"CelluliteLet\u2019s start with the basics: What is cellulite and why do I have it?<\/h2>

Cellulite is generally classified by its dimpled orange peel like appearance and is most commonly observed in the buttocks and thighs of females, particularly after puberty. While cellulite can be present anywhere on the body and isn\u2019t only a problem faced by women, it is less common in other regions of the body and men.<\/p>

There is a common misconception that cellulite is strictly fat related, however this couldn\u2019t be farther from the truth. While fat tissue is involved in the appearance of cellulite, the primary contributing factor to the classic dimpling seen in cellulite is fibrous septae<\/a>. Fibrous septae are fibrous connective bands which connect the skin to the underlying muscle fascia. Because fibrous septae are irregular and have gaps in between each other so there is space for other surrounding tissue, this surrounding tissue, which is primarily made up of shallow subcutaneous fat, often bulges outward, causing the appearance of cellulite on the surface of the skin. So, while the fat in the area of concern does contribute to the appearance of cellulite, the dimpling in particular is caused by the fibrous septae pulling the skin down (1)<\/a>.<\/p>

Now that we know what the physical background of cellulite is, what is it that actually causes this to happen? Why do some people have more cellulite than others? The answer is that there is no one main reason behind the formation of cellulite. Cellulite can occur due to increase in fat in a particular area of the body, hormonal factors, disease, and genetics. Cellulite is also more common in women than in men, mostly because it is most commonly seen in the thighs and buttocks, a region of the body that has the strongest muscles, in which women are more likely to carry some extra fat. In addition, due to hormonal changes in adult women, even those that are on the leaner side may develop cellulite, as female fat cells often grow larger than those of men. While there is no way to stop the formation of cellulite, there are quite a few tools that have been developed and tested to eliminate already existing cellulite dimples, some of which turned out to be successful, while others did not. Keep reading to learn about all the dos and don\u2019ts when it comes to cellulite and how you can get rid of yours once and for all.<\/p>

There are numerous creams and DIY home treatments to help mask the appearance of cellulite dimples. While some of them do have some great consumer reviews, having users swear by their cellulite creams and scrubbers, do keep in mind that even though these products can be effective in hiding your cellulite, they will not eliminate the fibrous septae which is the root cause of the dimpling.<\/p>

Cellulite is classified based on a Nurnberger methodology with a severity scale<\/a>, including grade 0, grade I, grade II, and grade III.<\/p>

\"CelluliteCREAMS<\/h2>

There are endless creams<\/a> on the market that claim to reduce and sometimes even eliminate the appearance of cellulite through regular use, leaving you with smooth, dimple free skin. These creams typically contain one or more of three key ingredients: caffeine, retinol, and dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), an antioxidant that is said to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. While some scientific studies testing the efficacy of such creams have results that suggest that they are capable of reducing the size of participant\u2019s thighs with regular use, they do not eliminate cellulite or the fibrous septae causing the dimples seen in cellulite.<\/p>

While none of these creams will physically eliminate the actual underlying cellulite or its root cause, they can result in temporarily smoother skin and less visible cellulite dimples.<\/p>

Caffeine works by essentially drying out your skin, as it is a diuretic, meaning that it dehydrates you. Dry skin automatically results in slightly tighter skin, making your cellulite less visible. One of the most popular anti cellulite creams on the market is Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream<\/a>, which contains caffeine and various oils to moisturize your booty along with the reduction of the visibility of cellulite dimples.<\/p>

Retinol is common in various skin care products from anti aging creams to face washes and of course, cellulite reduction creams. It is said to penetrate the skin and stimulate collagen production, thickening and firming the skin, which in turn will disguise the dimples seen in cellulite patients. As Retinol creams are often recommended for more mature skin, Paula\u2019s Choice Retinol Skin Smoothing Body Treatment Cream<\/a> is a very popular Retinol based anti cellulite and anti aging cream.<\/p>

DMAE is an antioxidant that is supposed to eliminate cellulite by stimulating muscle contractions, causing the muscles to become firmer. Unfortunately, there is no scientific proof of this actually working successfully. Revision Skincare BodiFirm cream<\/a> is a popular antioxidant based cream that promises firmer and more toned looking skin due to its richness in nourishing ingredients.<\/p>

Efficacy:<\/strong> DMAE and Creams can bring the appearance of cellulite on the outer skin down by one grade.<\/p>

SCRUBS<\/h2>

There are several scrubs out there that are meant to help reduce and eliminate cellulite with consistent use, almost all of which are coffee scrubs<\/a>. One simple search for an \u201canti-cellulite scrub\u201d and you will be bombarded with a variety of boutique or DIY homemade coffee scrubs to cleanse you of all your cellulite related problems. As mentioned above, while caffeine does have some benefits<\/a> when it comes to skin care and promoting circulation in the treated area, which can result in a reduction in the visibility of cellulite, in order to maintain the results, you will have to be very consistent, meaning that the results will only last a few hours before you need to do another scrub. Most of the anti cellulite scrubs you will find online are coffee based scrubs such as Arabica Coffee Scrub<\/a>, which is believed to fight cellulite, stretch marks, spider veins, and wrinkles.<\/p>

Efficacy:<\/strong> Scrubs can bring the appearance of cellulite on the outer skin down by one grade.<\/p>

MASSAGES<\/h2>

Aside from scrubs, some people also swear by massages and dry brushing tools like this one<\/a> to reduce the appearance of cellulite. These methods are said to work by not only stimulating blood circulation in the treated area, but also promote lymphatic drainage, which may help to eliminate toxins that commonly build up in your fat layer. While this can be effective<\/a>, keep in mind that if you plan on using this method, you will have to be consistent with it and practice it daily for your results to last.<\/p>

Aside from the convenience of these non-invasive methods, they are also a lot more affordable than the surgical methods, as a full body lymphatic drainage massage can go anywhere from $50 to $200. Creams, Scrubs, and dry brushes are mostly between $15 and $50, and you can probably go for the cheaper ones as the ingredients are typically the same.<\/p>

There are various medical treatments that you can get at a medical spa, plastic surgeon, or dermatologist. There has been a lot of trial and error with these medical treatments, as once again, many of them attempted to tackle cellulite by eliminating fat, rather than the fibrous septae, making some treatments less effective than others. The most commonly used medical treatments for cellulite include various lasers, different varieties of microneedling, ultrasound energies, and injectables. Below is a list of the least invasive to most invasive medical grade medical treatments used to treat cellulite.<\/p>

Efficacy:<\/strong> Massages can bring the appearance of cellulite on the outer skin down by one grade.<\/p>

PRESSOTHERAPY<\/h2>

Pressotherapy is a treatment designed to help with lymphatic drainage and works through the use of a machine, which massages you using a very specific amount of pressure to improve the efficacy of lymphatic drainage. During your treatment you will be strapped into a sleeve surrounding the treatment area which massages you similar to a mechanical massage chair in sleeve form. Compared to a massage performed by hand, pressotherapy is meant to be more exact and therefore more effective. This can help reduce the size of the area that is being treated, and has been reported to help reduce the appearance of cellulite as well. While the treatment won\u2019t directly eliminate cellulite and its underlying causes, it may temporarily reduce its appearance. In order to keep the results however, you will have to continue with the treatment on a regular basis.<\/p>

Side effects of pressotherapy are mild and rare and include possible muscle pain, redness, or irritation. Overall you will likely be spending anywhere from $50 – $150 per session on this treatment, though you will likely need more than just one. There are currently no peer reviewed clinical studies that proves the efficacy of this treatment.<\/p>

Efficacy:<\/strong> Pressotherapy can bring the appearance of cellulite on the outer skin down by one grade.<\/p>

ENDERMOLOGIE<\/h2>

Endermologie is a massage-like treatment that is said to reduce and eliminate the appearance of cellulite by regenerating the skin, promoting lymphatic flow and drainage, and ultimately smoothing out the treatment area, namely, the buttocks and thighs. The treatment is carried out using a handheld vacuum tool that is carefully dragged across the body, similar to a deep massage. The suction and gentle massaging actions regenerate skin-thickening fibroblasts, induces what is called lipolysis, the elimination of fat cells, releases tight bundles of fat and skin tissue – to soften the appearance of cellulite – and boosts lymphatic flow. A 2016 study suggested visible results in just three sessions, and a 67 percent reduction in cellulite. While this treatment does have mixed results<\/a>, with some satisfied patients, and others less enthusiastic about their results, those that did see results also seemed to have lost overall weight and a reduction in the circumference<\/a> of the treatment areas, based on a study conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of the treatment. Results should be seen within 3 – 6 sessions total, with regular weekly treatments. The side effects that are associated with this treatment are mild, the main possible side effect being bruising, which only occurs in individuals with very sensitive skin. You can expect to spend $95 – $150 per treatment, depending on the size of the treatment area.<\/p>

Efficacy:<\/strong> Endermologie can bring the appearance of cellulite on the outer skin down by one to two grades.<\/p>