In the last 5 years there has been an explosion in America in the pursuit of cellulite treatments as a combination of forces have gatherered to create the perfect storm for skin care practictioners and dematologists that offer cellulite treatments.  The advancements in laser and radio wave technologies coupled with the advancing baby boomer population fighting desperately to hold on to their youth has created a huge marketplace for cellulite treatments.

                            

There are a multitude of myths surrounding cellulite and as it affects between 80-95% of women of all ages, races and fitness levels, it is important to understand the facts. 

Cellulite is not normal body fat.  Cellulite is different from regular fat which has a smooth texture.  The texture of cellulite is bumpy, puckered and lumpy. 

Cellulite is not the result of carrying around excess body fat.  Cellulite is a dimpling effect that appears on the surface of the skin when the connective tissue which runs through the layers of skin weakens.  As this connective tissue loses its strength its fibers begin pulling on the surface of the skin causing a dimpling and puckering appearance known as cellulite.  Amazingly, cellulite is rarely, if ever, seen in males.  This has to do with the way the connective tissue fibers of the male and female bodies are positioned.  In the male body, there are more fibers and they are arranged differently than in a female’s body.  In a male this distinctive method of connective tissue positioning ensures that they do not show signs of cellulite and dimpling of the skin even when the connective tissue weakens.

Dehydration may contribute to cellulite formation.  As the human body ages the cells become less able to hold the quantities of water that allow them to function at optimal levels.  Less water in the cells results in unstable cell membranes and slower metabolism and catabolism (building of essential materials).  In essence, the cells become dehydrated. Other factors contributing to cell destruction and deterioration are a sluggish circulation which prevents the removal of built up toxins in and around the cells, smoking which produces free radicals, a poor diet and hormonal contributions. 

                                      

Connective tissue is the key.  Clearly, methods to reduce, prevent or even eliminate the signs of cellulite must focus on increasing the strength of the connective tissue in a woman’s body.  There are several ways that truly work, although each requires a change in lifestyle – some easier than others.

                      

There is no permanent "cure" for cellulite.  Doctors and scientists agree on this point, and do concede that several cellulite treatments do work on a temporary basis for reducing cellulite.  For long-lasting effects most of these treatments will require followup steps to maintain their effect.  

                   

Technology has produced some very promising treatment options, and most of these procedures are relatively minimally invasive:

                         

Marketed under the brand Velasmooth, Syneron's device recently received FDA approval and uses radio frequencies, infrared light and suction to re-mobilize the tissue and affected area and has had success in reducing the appearance and re-contouring problem areas after 8 or 9 treatments.

                           

Syneron Medical recently received FDA approval for their Velasmooth process which combines manual massage with deep heat and radio frequencies to promote deeper fat mobilization and recontouring of affected areas.  Dermatologists and doctors are seeing significant improvements in the appearance of cellulite and overall skin tone in as little as 7 or 8 sessions.

                           

This treatment originally developed in Italy combines the 3 therapies of heat, massage and cooling to target affected areas promoting enhanced microcirculation and improved skin tightening and smoothing.

                                  

Endermologie is a popular European treatment that utilizes a skin rolling massage process that targets deep tissue mobilization for improved blood circulation, increased viscosity of the subcutaneous fat layer and improved lymphatic drainage.

        

Mesotherapy is also another popular European treatment that has been practices for over a decade which uses an injectible cocktail of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other compounds to directly target  areas to improve blood flow, lymphatic drainage and to promote the mobilization of fat cells.  How mesotherapy works.

         

Sculptra is a filler that is sometimes injected for lifting cellulite dents that cannot otherwise be treated or helped.  Sculptra is FDA approved, however the use of it for cellulite impovement is an off-label use.  Surgical procedures are not promising to date, with most techniques targeting the fibrous cords that holds down the skin that creates the dimpled look.  Results are mixed at best, and earlier surgical processes cutting these skin tethers resulted in skin sloughing and skin loss.

                                 

There actually are many promising new creams that can actually work and help take off up to 1cm off your thigh measurements.  Most of these creams focuss on either improving circulation of blood vessels and lymphs to deflate the size of tissue areas, burn fat to reduce the size, or firm and tighten the skin to reduce the visibility of the bumpy cellulite surface.

                  

Many people look for a quick and easy fix to their cellulite.  In the end however, they usually end up disappointed and find that they have wasted both time and money.  Here are several methods that are popular but have not shown much success in combating cellulite permanently.  Cellulite lifts, laser lipolisis and liposuction are invasive methods aimed at reducing cellulite.  The problem is that they not only do damage to the skin and the surrounding areas, but they target the body’s excess fat – not cellulite.  So, while they may, in fact, reduce body fat, they will do nothing for the weakened connective tissue - the main culprit for cellulite appearance.  Only strengthening the vessels and connective tissue, decreasing free radicals and hydrating the cells and surrounding tissue will truly help.