How to eliminate cellulite: Cellulite – how to cure it?
Although it is not a genuine disease, many wonder if cellulite is curable. Researchers have invested a lot of effort in finding an effective treatment and providing scientific answers to the problem and the actual effectiveness of treatments.
How to eliminate cellulite: aesthetic cellulite or skin infection
The term cellulite can be used to describe 2 different conditions:
- An infection caused by bacteria at the dermis level
- Appearance of altered skin, which becomes visible; this kind of cellulite is of an uncertain nature, has been described according to more or less well-recognised theories and validated by the scientific community.
Aesthetic cellulite, “edematous fibrosclerotic panniculopathy”, can be multicausal and multifactorial. It can also be manifested with the formation of nodules that are visible to the eye and touch.
How to eliminate cellulite: Definition of cellulite
One widespread theory describes cellulite as a change caused by the uncontrolled deposit of:
- Lipids
- Water
- Toxins
More precisely, cellulite occurs when connective tissue fibres lose their elasticity, allowing fat and localised fluids to accumulate.
How to eliminate cellulite: is it a disease?
Aesthetic cellulite is not considered a disease but a blemish, and is generally asymptomatic. Cellulite is not considered to be an actual disease, but could cause problems at the psychological level and to quality of life. For this reason cellulite has to be treated, like any other disorder.
How to eliminate cellulite: Types of cellulite
If the theory that describes cellulite as edematous fibrosclerotic panniculopathy is accepted, there are several stages of severity and evolution of cellulite. This classification is as follows.
- Edematous: Associated with an edema, an accumulation of fluids, in specific areas of the body like the ankles, calves, thighs and arms.
- Fibrous: Associated with fibrosis in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (nodules and orange peel skin).
- Sclerotic: tissue hardening (large nodules and plaques).
How to eliminate cellulite: Causes of cellulite
We generalise by describing the causes of cellulite as a combination of factors, including:
- Hormones
- Genetics
- Microcirculation
- Adipose tissue
But it is believed to also be linked to:
- Sex
- Age
- Family history
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Diet
- Stress
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Water intake, essential for eliminating toxins
How to eliminate cellulite: Aggravating factors
Many factors are considered to aggravate cellulite, such as:
- Incorrect nutrition
- Rapid weight loss
- Being overweight or obese
- Clothes that are too tight
- Incorrect posture
- Shoes that are too tight or with heels that are too high
- Stress and smoking
- Spending too much time on the feet
- Sedentary lifestyle
How to eliminate cellulite: treatment
First of all, its important to remember that cellulite is not a disease, and therefore does not affect health (it can affect the quality of life because it could cause discomfort and embarrassment).
When faced with a treatment, you must have:
- Realistic expectations
- The treatment that is best suited to your personal needs
- Assessment of the degree of skin damage
- Treatments with scientific proof of effectiveness
How to eliminate cellulite: Possible treatments
The range of anti-cellulite products on offer is vast, from creams to surgical interventions. Some of the most common are:
- Tissue stabilized guided subcision
- Massage
- Mesotherapy
- Carboxytherapy
- Radiofrequency
- Laser therapy
- Ultrasound therapy
- Cryolipolysis
- Tissue stabilized guided subcision, approved by the FDA for the thighs and buttocks, involves severing the fibrous septae for improving the appearance of cellulite It is an outpatient procedure lasting 45-60 minutes.
- Lymphatic drainage Manual draining massage promotes the removal of liquids in excess. Although it is suitable for everyone, this type of massage is not effective in severe forms.
- Mesotherapy. The procedure is performed by applying a series of medications directly to the affected area. In addition to being painful and causing bruising, mesotherapy shares with many other treatments the lack of evidence of its effectiveness . That is, many people have said that mesotherapy has reduced their cellulite, but this claim lacks scientific support.
- Carboxytherapy. Carboxytherapy is used to cure cellulite and reduce skin sagging. Carboxytherapy may work by breaking up fibrous septae, increasing vascularisation and thereby skin oxygenation, which results in decreased swelling and an improvement in tone. More scientific studies on the effectiveness of this technique are required, in addition to reductions in the risks and invasiveness.
- Radiofrequency. According to many experts in dermatology, radiofrequency is one of the most effective anti-cellulite treatments because it can act directly on the fibrous septae of connective tissue and yield lasting results. Suitable for all types of cellulite, the technique does not damage the skin and can be performed in an outpatient clinic.
- Laser. Thanks to the temperature increase it causes, it promotes breakage of the fibrous layer, while stimulating the synthesis of new collagen fibres. Although less risky than traditional liposuction, the laser technique may carry risks due to the use of anaesthetics, heat and potential complications during the procedure.
- Ultrasound. The treatment involves using ultrasound to destroy fat cells. This leads to a reduction in the pressure exerted by adipocytes, and results in an improved skin appearance.
- Cryolipolysis. Unlike lasers which heat the tissue to treat cellulite, cryolipolysis uses cold to improve the look of the skin. But also here it should be said that there are no reports from studies demonstrating that cryolipolysis works for treating cellulite. So, like all the other treatments mentioned above, the technique should be considered for improving the appearance of cellulite.
How to eliminate cellulite: Before starting any “cure”
Most cellulite treatments are not effective to the same extent, and can sometimes have severe side effects. The best option would be to turn to an expert and qualified professional.
Some habits can help minimise the problem, and, more importantly, it can be prevented.