Beauty Doc Blog

June 02.08

Treatment for cellulite is one of the most common reasons for consulting with a dermatologist. No one likes cellulite, but many don’t know exactly what it is. We’ve all seen it, the lumpy substance that some people think looks like cottage cheese, found on thighs, stomach and on the buttocks. Cellulite is actually multiple collections of fat pushing against the tissue below the skin, making the surface of the skin pucker, dimple and have a lumpy appearance.

If you don’t already know, you can check for cellulite easily on your own body.  Pinch the skin around the upper thigh and see if it looks lumpy. If it does, then you probably do have cellulite, and you are not alone. Cellulite is especially common in women, but men can also have cellulite. The amount varies according to many factors including gender, total amount of body fat, age, skin thickness and even your genetic makeup. Darker skin tends to show cellulite less than lighter colored skin, but it may still be there.

Temporary reduction of the appearance of cellulite comes from deep massaging in salons, but the result is as stated, temporary. A few new medical spa techniques such as VelaSmooth has been getting rave reviews on combating cellulite but again, it will not totally remove it.

Liposuction is a longer lasting treatment that actually removes cellulite and other types of fat. Your plastic surgeon can look at you and discuss whether liposuction is right for you. Your doctor will explain to you that liposuction is designed to remove deep fat, and therefore is not the best treatment for cellulite removal since cellulite is so close to the skin. However, if you are having other plastic surgery procedures such as a tummy tuck or a facelift, liposuction can be performed at the same time for maximum benefit.

Healthcare professionals believe that decreased firmness and elasticity in the skin, caused by increased age, contribute to cellulite. It makes sense then that improving skin elasticity would have a positive effect. Retinoids are used by many as they increase the denseness of the epidermal layer and because they stimulate angiogenesis, both effects being useful in treatment of cellulite.

Decreasing body fat through exercise does have positive effects. Strength training combined with aerobic exercise Consulting with your doctor about an exercise program is always wise. Making sure that you are in the proper physical condition for the exercise regimen you being just makes good sense, as does a healthy diet to avoid gaining weight, and hopefully to actually loose weight. Moderate amounts of fruit, vegetables, protein and whole grains are the most commonly advised diet, and even if they don’t help remove cellulite they will help make you healthier, and that can’t hurt. An overall plan to combat and prevent cellulite may include a group effort with your medical spa, plastic surgeon and personal trainer to rid yourself of unsightly cellulite is the best way to handle this problem.