What is Cellulite & how to minimise the effects ?

Cellulite is a chronic degenerative process in the superficial subcutaneous adipose tissue and it alters the texture of the skin. It affects almost 90 percent of women and it is mostly visible on their thighs and buttocks, stomachs and arms. Cellulite is often genetic and starts in adolescence and becomes worse with age. Women have a higher risk of developing cellulite as their connective tissue and fat cells are arranged differently compared to men. Cellulite responds to female hormones and so is worse in women.

The main characteristic lesions caused by cellulite are: orange peel skin, which is widespread, irregular bumpy skin that alters the whole area affected by the process and the singular introverted lesions caused by retracting fibres that vary in shape number and appearance. The ‘hill and valley’ appearance of cellulite is treated by smoothing out the dimples and reducing the fat in the area with lipotherapy (fat reducing injections) at a later date giving a smoother slimmer appearance to the skin and body. We use deoxycholic acid to dissolve pockets of unwanted fat (Aqualyx / Kybella).

It’s important to specify that cellulite is not just fat. Fat insulates the body and cushions the organs, nerves, and muscles while supplying your muscles with useable energy. Cellulite occurs in certain areas on the body, such as the thighs, buttocks and abdomen. You don’t have to be overweight to have cellulite. The skin in the area where there are dimples is pulled down by tight fibres in the fat causing a puckered look, these are the fibres that are released with Celluerase treatment to make the skin return to a smoother texture.

 

 

Here are 5 ways you can minimise the effects of cellulite:

  • Drink plenty of water to flush toxins out of your body
  • Exercise regularly and include movements such as squats, step-ups, and lunges in your exercising programme
  • Include fruits, vegetables and lean proteins in your diet with moderate carbohydrate intake
  • Quit smoking. Smoking can weaken the skin due to the constriction of capillaries and damage the connective tissue that causes the dimpling effect of cellulite.
  • De-stress. Take a yoga class. Stress can cause muscles to seize up with tension while also causing the connective tissue that covers that muscle to seize up. Tension also blocks the tissue, preventing proper waste elimination and purification.

 

There are four stages of cellulite development to be aware of:

  • Grade 0: No cellulite present
  • Grade 1: Smooth skin while standing, bumps and dimples appear while sitting
  • Grade 2: Orange peel visible while sitting or standing
  • Grade 3: Orange peel appearance visible while sitting or standing with deep raised and depressed areas
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