Cellulite

Cellulite treatments - which one to choose? 

One idea to fight cellulite is to use devices that emit High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). The therapy is based on emitting ultrasound waves through the device head, applied to the skin. The waves cause breaking up and liquefying of fat tissue; liquefied fat is transported through lymphatic vessels and, in physiological processes, excreted from the body. Concentrated ultrasound technology device uses activity of ultrasounds at a depth of 13 mm under the skin, which allows for extremely good results. After one treatment, the thigh circumference is reduced on average by 1-2 cm. The final effect is visible 3-4 months after the treatment. The number of treatments depends on severity of the lesions, but usually the treatment is performed once.

Another physical method is cryolipolysis. It involves removal of excess fat tissue under the influence of cold, thus reducing cellulite. Cryolipolysis device is used in places resistant to lipolysis, such as the belly, waist - so called "love handles" or the inner side of thighs. It consists in applying a cooling applicator to the skin and suctioning the tissue, which is cooled for about 40-60 minutes depending on the applicator used. During the treatment, the patient feels intense cold. After the treatment, slight erythema may persist at the application site. The final effect is visible after 2-4 months, when the fatty tissue is significantly reduced. The therapy may be repeated not earlier than after 3 months. Cryolipolysis is non-invasive and you can return to your daily activities immediately after the treatment.

Radio waves against cellulite are used in this device. Radio waves cause heating of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, which leads to shrinking of collagen. This reaction in fatty tissue compartments and the dermis causes smoothing and tightening of the skin, followed by deposition of new collagen and strengthening of the skin structure. Radio waves is dedicated to patients with cellulite and flabby skin e.g. in the course of insignificant weight loss or in patients after pregnancy. Immediately after the treatment, the skin becomes tighter, but the final result is obtained only after performing a series of 4-10 treatments. The number of treatments depends on the area and severity of cellulite. During the treatment, you feel pleasant warmth in the place of operation of the device and the treatment does not require a period of convalescence.

How to get rid of cellulite?

Another form of treatments that cause lipolysis and reduce cellulite is mesotherapy and injection lipolysis. These therapies are associated with the injection of substances that enhance fat breakdown. Mesotherapy involves injecting a solution with such substances as caffeine, aminophylline, theophylline, which cause lipolysis by inhibiting phosphodiesterase. These solutions are enriched with vitamins, herbal extracts, hormones and minerals. The treatment is not very painful, punctures are made at a distance of 0.5-1.5 cm, and it can be applied on any area. The treatment has to be repeated in order to obtain adequate results. The most common complication is slight bruising at the prick site. Injection lipolysis is another form of tissue injection with the aim of reducing fat tissue. In this procedure, the target tissue is injected with phosphatidylcholine obtained from soybean extract. This substance damages fat cells. The process takes about 3 weeks after the injection. Phosphatidylcholine causes an itching and burning sensation at the injection sites. There is slight pain, the skin becomes red and tender, and bruising may occur. Swelling is a permanent symptom after the procedure, it usually lasts from 7 to 14 days. A few days after the treatment, a lymphatic massage is recommended to remove the products of decomposition. Several treatments for cellulite are sometimes needed.

Invasive treatments are also used to combat cellulite. One of them is laser liposuction. It is a minimally invasive procedure, carried out under local anaesthesia or brief intravenous anaesthesia. There is no pain during the procedure. The procedure consists in inserting a thin optical fibre into the subcutaneous tissue and, using a laser beam of three lengths, it causes dissolution of the subcutaneous tissue, disruption of the connective tissue dividing the skin and skin shrinkage. This treatment renders very good results. Skin elasticity increases over about 6 months after the treatment. With a healthy lifestyle, results of the procedure are long lasting.

Classical liposuction is of little use in fighting cellulite, because it removes deeper fat deposits. However, in patients with large amounts of fatty tissue, it can be combined with laser liposuction to achieve good cosmetic results.

As you can see, there are many methods to fight cellulite. However, it is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, repeat and combine certain therapies depending on the severity and location of the problem.