Cosmetic Surgery Blog

I HATE CELLULITE! I’d like to have a word or two with the one who decided this was a good idea. Sorry, but BAD IDEA.

What Is Cellulite?

Cellulite is not caused by a build up of toxins in your skin, and you cannot purge them with a cleanse or a pill, so don’t believe the hype. Cellulite is a connective tissue anomaly where the connective tissue bands, called fibrous septa (or septae, plural) sclerose (harden) from age or genetics and tighten. This tightening causes the skin to be pulled down and the fat to bulge between them. As you gain weight this can cause more bulging, however weight gain is not completely necessary for cellulite to be visible. Although I do notice that mine is better when I am at a good body fat percentage.

It has been said that lack of sufficient lymphatic drainage and circulation can contribute to the problem either making it worse or causing it in the first place by impacting the fibrous septae. No one truly knows but there is much speculation.

Cellulite Treatments

Now, I don’t exactly have cellulite very badly in the traditional sense, but I do have some and on top of that, serious contour/scar tissue issues now after my liposuction surgery. On top of this being a worse issue than having run-of-the-mill cellulite and how to get rid of it, I do feel scar tissue is far worse. But let’s visit the options for cellulite removal.

• Creams: The cellulite treatment creams themselves do not work; I have tried them all. Massaging an over the counter cream into your skin which contains caffeine or other ingredients can only help circulation, some stretching of the fibrous septae if you are massaging hard enough. The varying ingredients can only affects the superficial skin and the cellulite is an issue of a much deeper plane. The inflammation caused by vigorous massage can also cause slight swelling in the tissues and give the temporary appearance of smoother skin.
• Standard Cellulite Treatment Massage: See above. I don’t buy it. I have had it and it doesn’t work completely. It can help with stretching the septae however, but this isn’t the only problem.
• Anti-Cellulite Body Wraps: Definitely doesn’t work. This treatment causes localized fluid retention, and the constriction of the skin temporarily gives the appearance of tighter, smaller legs. But as the day wears on, it all comes back.
• The Dry Brushing Anti-Cellulite Technique: Some say it works, I felt I saw no difference. A Finnish doctor by the name of Paavo Airola recommended this technique back in the 1960’s. The concept is the same as massage, lymphatic drainage, increase in circulation, etc. it also causes slight inflammation of the skin and causes the same slight swelling to give the appearance of smoother skin.
• Endermologie or LipoMassage: If you have the money, it has been known to work! It does help with keeping the fibrous septae supple and pliable. It also helps with localized fluid retention. It is like turbo massage. But you have to drink water and exercise as well, just like all of the above. And you have to maintain the cellulite-free body by getting Endermologie regularly thereafter. It hurts, it bruises you, but it can work. It is a very vigorous form of massage in a rolling fashion that can temporarily stretch these connective tissue bands, thereby releasing the fat that is bulging through.
• Mesotherapy: This is a controversial procedure which involves the numerous injections of “natural” plant derivatives, pharmaceutical agents and minerals. I have seen it work. Why I won’t get it any time soon? Because it won’t help my scar tissue or my adhesion problems. I have also seen uneven fat removal that I understand can be the product of an unskilled technician injecting the products. For this reason, I have not tried it and I cannot give a good review of it. But if you feel you have nothing to lose, you may wish to look into it more. I have seen some god results from it, so please do not think I am being negative about it. I just know fixing the results of a procedure that was supposed to be fixing the results from another procedure is very taxing. This procedure is best done in MedSpa facility.
• Radiofrequency As The Cellulite Treatment (VelaSmooth): I have had radiofrequency cellulite treatments, but not on my body. Yes, it tightened my skin—albeit temporarily. But what I had performed also caused some fat loss. It also hurt like crazy. Although the photos of VelaSmooth are pretty impressive, so I would try it for myself. Perhaps Mesotherapy and VelaSmooth may be the less invasive way to go.
• Aquaphoresis C ellulite Treatment (Dermawave): I have not tried Aquaphoresis so I cannot truly review it as a viable option. However, from my research Aquaphoresis may be more of an enhancement to other cellulite treatments. Having spoken to a few patients who have had only Aquaphoresis on it’s own, I feel the improvement to be minimal. Again, using it as an enhancement when other procedures are not working may be an option for you.
• Cellulite Removal Surgery: Yes, there is such a thing. There is a procedure called Rejuveskin Cellulite treatment. It calls for removal of the problematic fibrous septae and fat grafting to areas that continue to be stubborn “dents”. It also calls for minute volume removal on bulges which cannot be redistributed. I am still considering this and perhaps very soon. I just can’t take it anymore. However, I doubt the adhesions will be addressed because I simply do not have any septae left in these areas to hold the skin in place.

• Don’t lose hope. Weed through the hype and try what you can. Talk to real patients who have had the procedures performed so they can give you a true opinion.
• Do your research! You have many options; look into them all. Not everything is going to work for everybody.
• Consult, Consult, Consult: Visit several doctors and see what they suggest. Don’t schedule with the first one you meet. You need a choice to make a balanced decision.
• Before & After Cellulite Treatment Photos: When looking at before and afters, please note the direction of the lighting. When the lighting is from above, cellulite looks far worse. When it is directed from the front, it can look quite smooth in appearance. Don’t be fooled.