CELLULITE
ABOUT CELLULITE
WHAT IS IT
Cellulite is the bumpy uneven puckered appearance of skin, extremely common in young women.
Clinically, cellulite is characterized by alterations to the cutaneous surface, especially on the buttocks and thighs, giving the skin what is often described as an orange peel, mattress or cottage cheese appearance. The surface of skin in areas with cellulite is uneven with elevations and depressions & often a tight appearance with visible large pores.
It usually has no other related symptoms.
WHO GETS IT
Cellulite occurs in all age groups and in both men and women. However, it is much more common in women who have attained puberty - possibly due to the role of estrogen (female sex hormone) in cellulite formation. Fit and unfit women may get cellulite. When estrogen levels increase in some conditions (such as obesity, pregnancy, oral contraceptive medication & hormone replacement therapy) cellulite tends to worsen. Some people may notice cellulite after a specific localized injury, sudden weight loss or gain in an area such as after liposuction or similar surgery, fat dissolving injections, localized infection or scarring. Such cellulite is due to damage to the skin structure in a specific area.
WHEN DOES IT OCCUR
It may appear in preadolescence, adolescence, or adulthood. Cellulite can best be described as a normal physiologic state in post-adolescent women whose purpose is to maximize adipose retention to ensure adequate caloric availability for pregnancy and lactation. Almost all women who are not severely malnourished or wasting away, will have cellulite.
WHERE DOES IT OCCUR
Cellulite is usually seen in areas with maximum fat deposits and is most commonly seen on the thighs and buttocks. It can also occur in the flanks, abdomen and upper legs. It can also occur in areas which have loose skin and get looser with fat deposit, age & gravity, such as the inner part of arms & on knees.
WHY DOES IT OCCUR
The exact causes of cellulite are not fully understood yet. There are many theories suggested to explain why cellulite occurs such as diet, genetics, changes in blood flow, increase in fat and inflammation. To this end different technical names have also been suggested for cellulite including: adiposis edematosa, dermo-panniculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis, and gynoid lipodystrophy.
When skin structure is studied appears to be due to edema (fluid retention), fibrosis (scarring) and microvascular alterations (damage to tiny vessels of blood and lymph circulation). The fibrous bands or septa which normally divide fat pockets in the body, tend to shorten and this in turn causes retraction of the trabeculae - in short these bands pull skin unevenly. This is probably what causes the uneven surface appearance & dimpling, seen in cellulite.
HOW TO TREAT IT
Can you get rid of the cellulite forever? The honest short answer: No. Topical products, massages, steam/sauna, scrubs and mesotherapy injection cocktails can temporarily (for a few weeks to months) reduce the appearance of cellulite by improving circulation. Over the past several years, a number of new, mostly minimally invasive interventions have been advocated in the treatment of cellulite. Although some treatments selectively target adipocytes to induce lipolysis, others provide a permanent camouflage by thickening collagen in the dermis. At this stage, no single treatment can offer complete eradication of cellulite. However, innovative approaches will continue to push the field to address this extremely common esthetic concern. Until then, careful assessment of existing evidence and possible combination treatments that incorporate several existing modalities will ensure maximized efficacy.
TREATMENTS FOR CELLULITE
WHO CAN GET TREATMENT
You can be eligible for treatment unless pregnant, lactating or suffering from any medical condition which disallows taking such treatments. Suitability would be assessed during your consultation with the doctor.
WHY TO SEEK TREATMENT
For some people cellulite can have a serious negative impact on their quality of life - it may hamper them from engaging in everyday situations and activities, affect their mood, mental health and relationships. It is important to understand that cellulite is a normal and physiological response of the body.However, cellulite continues to bother a large number of women. Remember that almost 90% women have cellulite. As it is more common to expose the body in certain cultures and in sunny countries such as Brazil, cellulite is of great concern to many women and for aesthetic reasons you may want to treat it.
WHAT ARE THE AVAILABLE TREATMENTS
Treatments which break the collagen bands around the fat globules (such as subcision) work best so far alongwith radiofrequency which would work to smoothen skin, improve tone and reduce fat, so also improve cellulite to a lesser degree. Treatments which only target fat removal (cryotherapy or liposuction) may even worsen the appearance of cellulite.
Treatments offered at JUVERNE include fat reduction (fat freezing and dissolving injections), skin tightening (ultrasound, radiofrequency and laser), collagen remodelling (radiofrequency with microneedling, enzyme peels), subcision band release and mesotherapy (injection of active ingredients)- usually done in combination, according to the severity of cellulite and patient goals. We also prescribe medical grade topical preparations that give visible improvement.
TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT PLEASE CONTACT OUR TEAM via phone or text or email
Bibliography:
Cellulite Pathophysiology And Treatment (Second edition) edited by Goldman and Hexsel
Disorders of Fat And Cellulite | Advances in Diagnosis And Treatment. Edited by Goldberg & Berlin