Cellulite Treatments – Options and Realistic Expectations

The number of options for cellulite treatment has increased dramatically over the past ten years. Despite the various devices, procedures, and creams available, cellulite treatment always comes with two important caveats: the product may not be effective for all women and the cellulite treatment may not be long-lasting. In truth, the definitive cellulite treatment method for reducing and preventing cellulite formation is to reduce overall body fat with exercise and a healthy diet. However some women, regardless of body fat percentage and physical fitness, will still have some rippled, uneven depositions of body fat known as cellulite. This article discusses some of the cellulite treatment options available today.

 

 

Mesotherapy is one of the trendy options in cellulite reduction today. It is marketed as a minimally invasive treatment that helps your body to naturally eliminate fat—simply get an injection and fat in the treated area dissolves away. While mesotherapy injections differ, most use a cocktail of vitamins and antioxidants along with a mild “detergent” that dissolves the cell membranes around fat cells. With fat cells disrupted, the free fat is absorbed into the bloodstream and digested. Mesotherapy claims to give your skin a smoother appearance and stop the puckered look of cellulite. Proponents claim that it also reduces 'visible' fat in the treated area. This cellulite treatment is new and slightly controversial since the mesotherapy solutions vary and patients have had some serious complications. There is also a question about short and long term effectiveness. Since mesotherapy is injected, the treatment is not completely uniform. This means that the cellulite treatment itself may cause depressions in the fat where the solution touched and high spots where the solution did to penetrate.

 

The Dermosonic procedure is another cellulite reduction therapy that helps reduce the puckered appearance of the skin. The two technologies involved have been given FDA clearance, which means they are safe, though not necessarily effective. Dermosonic uses ultrasound energy and non-invasive subdermal therapy to liquefy fat deposits. Proponents of the technology list “stimulating circulation” and “increasing lymphatic drainage” as additional benefits of this cellulite treatment. Dermosonic appears to be quite effective over the short term. The cellulite is not removed from the body and the connective tissue that Dermosonic claims to break down is not permanently damaged therefore this cellulite reduction treatment approach should be considered temporary. Dermosonic is relatively expensive and should be considered in terms of long term benefit for the cost.

 

Endermologie has become another big name in cellulite treatment recently. The technique is said to flush out loose fat globules and smooth wrinkles to help reduce cellulite's appearance in the skin. Deep tissue massage and suction combine to 'redistribute' the skin and remove dimpling. It is only suitable for patients of a healthy weight. Dermatologists that perform the treatments acknowledge that it is only a temporary cure.

 

Liposuction and laser liposuction can be used to treat cellulite depositions together with unwanted fat deposits. Since cellulite is actually created by fat cells and fibrous septa, both structures need to be disrupted in order to effectively remove cellulite. Since liposuction is designed to remove fat more or less exclusively, the use of this technique as a cellulite reduction treatment has met with various amounts of success among women.