Cellulite Treatment
Regardless of weight, you should always feel great in your own skin. One thing that makes most women self-conscious about their body, however, is cellulite. Those irritating dimples that most of us are plagued with appear due to the fibrotic bands, connecting skin and muscle. When fat cells increase in volume, those bands stretch and pull down on the skin, which causes the dimpling.
Contrary to popular myth, cellulite and weight gain are not necessarily related. Cellulite is a structural problem, taking place below the skin. Unluckily for women, they get dimples and lumpy skin a lot more often than men due to their different bands. More than 85% of women over the age of 21 have cellulite.
Unlike creams and massages that are unable to address the structural integrity of cellulite, the cellulite treatment tackles the problem beneath the surface.
What is the Cellulite Treatment?
The cellulite treatment is a completely non-invasive procedure that uses laser energy to directly target the dermis (the inner layer of the skin), which increases elasticity. Releasing the problematic fibrotic bands that cause the stubborn skin dimples, the treatment manages to improve the condition of buttocks, thighs, hips and other areas. The end goal is reducing the dimples and revealing smooth and healthy-looking skin.
There are various approaches to cellulite reduction: computer-controlled mechanical massage and suction, magnetic impulses and radiofrequency, laser, ultrasound and zone lymphatic massage. Depending on your skin structure and current condition, it’s the specialists’ job to help you choose the best method for eliminating cellulite.
Anyone with lumpy skin and dimples can benefit from the cellulite treatment as long as they are in good health. The procedure is not recommended for significantly overweight women and it should be noted that the treatment doesn’t help with fat reduction or weight loss. What it focuses on is evening the texture of the skin by targeting the underlying issues of the dermis.
Most cellulite treatments are gentle, non-invasive and don’t require any anaesthesia.
However, always consult with your physician before considering the cellulite reduction procedure and keep in mind any current health issues you might have.
Am I a Candidate?
Is There Any Downtime with the Procedure?
Achieving smooth and cellulite-free skin is a process that may take some time. There are a couple of factors that matter when deciding how many sessions you need: the state of your skin and the size and number of areas you want treated.
Typically, the procedure can take from 30 to 60 minutes and depending on your goals, 3-8 treatments are recommended. However, you may notice some changes in your skin texture after just one treatment, but they are unlikely to be significant. Your desired results will probably be more evident in about 6 months, so don’t expect imminent success and get discouraged, as patience is key when it comes to beauty and skincare.
As for the downtime, you are expected to return home wearing a compression garment on the treated areas as the tissue needs to heal. You can resume your daily activities in one day after the treatments, but try not to increase your blood pressure and heart rate. Generally, when our heart rate goes up, we swell, and swelling of the skin doesn’t bode well for healing.
How Long Will the Results Last?
Research shows that the results, achieved from the cellulite treatments, can last up to 6 months. In some cases, even a year or longer. However, different methods give different results so no statistics are conclusive. The success and long-term effect of the procedures are individual.