Cellulite

Cellulite Intro

With over half a million procedures undertaken, you're in safe hands

Cellulite.

The reason that up to 98% of us are opting for a longer sleeve, tugging down our summer-dresses, and avoiding shorts like the plague.

Nobody wants to feel uncomfortable in their own skin. Cellulite, however, is one affliction which can leave people feeling very inhibited and self-conscious. This is because it isn't quite as simple as just losing weight or hitting the gym - in fact, it may surprise you to know that fat isn't actually the problem at all. That is why even very slender women can suffer with cellulite, and some plus-size ladies avoid it entirely.

So what really is the issue here? That's a good question…

What is Cellulite?

Understanding Cellulite

One thing to clarify about cellulite is that it is not a symptom of being overweight. It is not even an indicator that someone is unhealthy. While gaining weight can definitely make cellulite more prominent, its presence is unfortunately...mostly genetic. Cellulite can crop up even if you are not carrying excess fat on your body whatsoever, instead to do with a structural issue beneath the skin. This is why it is very prevalent amongst women, but not something typically seen in men- their skin's internal structure being vastly different.

Skin can be looked at a bit like a lasagne - it has layers. The top layer is the part that we see - the epidermis - and the base layer is our muscle. Just like a lasagne, there are various layers in between, including fat and various connective tissue. The top and bottom layers of our skin are joined together by structures known as fibrous bands - these sit like little tent poles amongst the fatty tissue and aren't very accommodating to expanding fat cells.

Cellulite appears when fatty tissue pushes up through the connective tissues, whilst the fibrous bands stay in place. In essence: the bands are anchored to the bottom layer, pulling down against the expanding fat pushing up. That pressure against the top layer then creates the lumpy texture we all know as cellulite.

How Can I treat Cellulite?

With a wealth of treatments, designed just for you...

Cellulite can be categorised into 3 stages and establishing where you sit on the scale can help to determine how to treat your particular case. The stages are:

Stage 1: No visible cellulite while standing, however mild dimpling is apparent when sitting or flesh is compressed.

Stage 2: Dimpling and/or bumps are visible both when sitting and standing.

Stage 3: Deep depressions, dimpling and bulging that is severe and ever-present.

Stage 1 can often be treated preventatively with exercise and by building up muscle which will help supply some support to the fibrous connective tissue beneath. Flexibility training can also do a great deal for keeping that same connective tissue more elastic. Vigorous massage, as well as certain topical creams/scrubs - such as those containing things like caffeine and retinoids - can also help to improve circulation and boost cell repair in the area, fending off visible dimpling a little longer.

Stage 2 often responds well to treatments geared at collagen induction - such as Innopen, Dermaroller and IPL - all working to penetrate the skin more deeply. These treatments create micro-injury to the skin which encourage a healing response, replenishes healthy tissue beneath the skin's surface and facilitates a healthy blood supply to the area.

Stage 3 cellulite typically requires a more invasive or heavy duty approach, such as the use of radiofrequency or vacuum therapy. Treatments which work fantastically for cellulite include Viora Reaction, Vaser, TiteFx, BodyTite. These treatments work by breaking down localised fat storage and extracting them from your problem area to create a smoother, cellulite-free surface.

To learn more about any of our special cellulite treatments, explore our Harley Street catalogue below or book in for your free of charge consultation today!