There is no one treatment to combat cellulite. Some changes in diet and greater physical activity are the first steps that should be considered.
Cellulite is not just an aesthetic issue but can also become a health problem, as it can affect the quality of life, with pain and swelling, as well as causing psychological problems.
Methods for combating cellulite include:
- Diet
- Physical exercise
- Treatments
Cellulite strikes the cellular tissue under the skin, which includes:
- Adipocytes
- Venous microcirculation
- Lymphatic system.
Initially cellulite appears with circulatory disorders, which then cause changes in the skin structure. It begins with an edematous phase, followed by a fibrous phase, until the adipose tissue is compromised.
How to combat cellulite: the evolutionary phases of cellulite
Cellulite follows an evolutionary process in 2 phases:
- Morphological alterations: at this phase there are no significant changes of a biological nature, there are only aesthetic implications (orange peel). The person involved leads a normal life without any general symptoms.
- Actions of aggravating factors that cause various levels of disability with a number of general symptoms:
- Pain
- Heavy thighs
- Edema or water retention
- Cold thighs
Cellulite is an aesthetic alteration with some functional impairments.
How to combat cellulite: the different types of cellulite
According to the most widespread theories, cellulite is also classified into types, which are:
- Hard or compact cellulite: this affects young women and in general those who practise much sport; their tissues are firm and toned without edemas. The cellulite is visible by pinching the skin.
- Flaccid cellulite: typical of sedentary people or those who were but are no longer physically active. The tissues are not very toned. It also appears in people who have undergone various aesthetic treatments, plastic surgery or diets that have caused drastic weight loss.
- Edematous cellulite: in women of all ages, but most common in young people and adolescents. In older women this usually appears with large, swollen and misshapen thighs. It is located mainly in the legs and, at first glance, the skin has the typical orange peel appearance.
- “Mixed cellulite”. The most common combination, flaccid cellulite on the front of the thigh, compact at the back of the thighs.
Do not confuse cellulite with fat on:
- The waist
- Abdomen
Because these are treated differently.
How to combat cellulite: treatments
As has already been said, there is no magic treatment that can eliminate cellulite.
The market offers a variety of anti-cellulite products and costly and invasive interventions can often only improve the appearance of cellulite temporarily.
How to combat cellulite: before treatment
None of the methods on the market can promise to eliminate cellulite. At best, there is a temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite and certainly an improvement in the appearance of the skin.
Some people respond better than others to the treatment. Sometimes cellulite does not improve after treatment. Maintaining the results requires continuous sessions over time to achieve a lasting effect.
There is little scientific proof of the effectiveness of anti-cellulite methods. However, research to demonstrate the effectiveness of these treatments continues.
Treatments that use lasers, waves or injections may have some undesirable side effects that are difficult to correct, like scars or skin spots.
For personalised advice, you should consult a doctor or dermatologist who has good experience in the aesthetic field, or a plastic surgeon.
Having said that, here are some of the most frequently requested and used treatments:
Treatments to combat cellulite: Vacuum suction for cellulite
The vacuum suction for cellulite treatment is a mechanical lipomassage, which lasts about 45
minutes, and is usually repeated from one to three times a week for several weeks.
Treatments to combat cellulite: manual lymphatic drainage.
Manual lymphatic drainage is a massage technique that stimulates lymphatic return, reducing
fluid stagnation. It works well in combination with other treatments.
Treatments to combat cellulite: pressotherapy.
Pressotherapy is a type of automated lymphatic drainage using a pneumatic
massager. This technique is a substitute for manual drainage.
Treatments to combat cellulite: electrotherapy.
With electrotherapy you obtain muscle stimulation with tone enhancement, but
also reduce some fat deposits and improve microcirculation.
Treatments to combat cellulite: ultrasound.
Ultrasound. This treatment using ultrasound is widely used. It is also known as:
cavitation, which can be medical or aesthetic, depending on whether lipolytic substances are used or ultrasound alone. Due to energy conversion, heat that is harmful for fats is generated, but also a micromassage.
Treatments to combat cellulite: Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy means regional intradermal therapy. Medications are injected at different
depths using very small needles.
Treatments to combat cellulite: rollers with needles.
Needling. This is also known as needling, to induce collagen production
in the skin. The treatment can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
Treatments to combat cellulite: radiofrequency.
Radiofrequency As with ultrasound, this generates heat in the skin, which reduces the volume of
adipose cells. Side effects are rare, but there are often disturbances, like a feeling of irritation and swelling; it may require more time in the event of burns, and can even cause scarring.
How to combat cellulite: laser. Low-energy lasers are used to stimulate the production of collagen.
How to combat cellulite: general advice
Rules that should be integrated into treatments for combating cellulite:
- Avoid salt in excess
- Eliminate potato crisps, commercial ready meals, commercial sauces
- Diet with nutrients that help keep the skin toned
- Physical exercise to strengthen muscle tone and improve blood circulation
- Any physical activity that causes an increase in heart rate and breathing (aerobics, walking at a sustained pace, jogging, mountain biking, skiing, etc.) It is better because it improves blood circulation as well as contributing to fat loss.
To achieve maximum effectiveness against cellulite you have to act on multiple fronts: changing lifestyle, following a proper diet and doing more physical activity are the first steps to consider.