How Cellulite Treatment Works and What to Expect

Although it is common among people of all ages and body types, cellulite is a skin condition that leaves many lacking confidence in their looks. Fortunately, there are many cellulite treatment options available today, from creams and other home remedies to laser treatment. This article offers some background on cellulite and explores some popular treatment options, detailing how they work.

What Is Cellulite?

From the outside, we see cellulite as dimpled or uneven patches of skin. It is caused when fat deposits below the skin are pressed against other tissue, a bit like how a shirt or dress that’s too tight will reflect the uneven surface underneath rather than draping nicely. Differences in structure, fat distribution, and hormones make this more common in women. It is also more common in, although not exclusive to, those who are overweight.

Is It The Same As Cellulitis?

Cellulite and cellulitis are not the same, despite the similarity between their names. Cellulite is physically harmless and is purely a cosmetic concern, but cellulitis is a serious bacterial infection that must be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms of cellulitis typically include redness, swelling, pain, and fever. Cellulite only appears as rough dimples in the skin, although there are several grades of severity.

What Clinical Treatment Options Are There?

Those seeking professional cellulite treatment have a lot of choice today. Radiofrequency therapy, acoustic wave therapy, injectable collagenase, HIFU, and laser treatment are all popular options. While these can all have some effect, they tend to target different causes of cellulite. Many clinics use a combined approach because this can deliver more visible and longer-lasting results by targeting many causes at once.

How Laser Cellulite Treatment Works

Laser treatments such as Cellulaze are among the most well-known clinical methods for cellulite reduction. These procedures involve using lasers to break down the fibrous bands that connect your skin to the underlying muscle. When these become irregularly tight, fat deposits are compressed between the skin and the muscle tissue underneath, which is what causes the rippled surface we call cellulite. Laser treatment loosens these and also melts some of the fat.

Are There Any Risks?

When performed by licensed, trained professionals, most treatments for cellulite are safe from serious harm. Laser treatment is slightly more invasive than other clinical procedures like radiofrequency therapy, and carries a very slight risk of infection or scarring. Risks can be minimised by choosing reputable providers and discussing your medical history, allergies, and more with them beforehand.

Are There Any Home Cellulite Treatment Options?

Home treatments such as cellulite cream do not offer the same results as clinical treatments, but they complement them well. Combined with massaging or foam rolling and administered consistently over several months, it is possible to reduce the appearance of cellulite at home. Most creams contain ingredients that help firm the skin and enhance collagen production.

The Best Cellulite Treatment

There’s no easy answer to this, as the best for you as an individual will depend on your skin type, the severity of the cellulite, your budget, and even your preferences. For the fastest, most effective results, you’ll likely want a combined clinical approach which you can support with home treatments. However, not much has been published on which particular combination is most effective. Speaking to an experienced provider will be your best bet.

Conclusion

While it poses no physical threat, cellulite can be very mentally distressing and can lead to a lack of confidence. However, cellulite treatment is possible, and now you’ve got a better idea of what’s available and what you can expect. Use the information here as a jumping off point to do your own research. Remember not to rely just on what you read online; reputable providers can create treatment strategies tailored to your needs.