Cellulite, also commonly called “orange peel syndrome” or “cottage cheese skin,” is a term used to describe the dimpled appearance and texture many women develop in their pelvic area, legs and abdomen. While cellulite is commonly thought of as a side effect of excess fat, almost 90% of women will develop cellulite, regardless of their physical fitness. In fact, while its initial cause is still unknown, dieting has actually been shown to worsen the appearance of the skin. Other factors believed to play a part in the development and severity of cellulite are hormones, possibly including estrogen, that are first released at puberty, as well as genetic predisposition. Stress may also be a factor, as it increases the levels of some hormones, which may promote cellulite development.

The latest trend in MedSpa treatment is the boot camp approach. These regimens, promoted by spas and celebrity fitness trainers, include the Blue MedSpa Cellulite Boot Camp, the Woodstock Fit Body Boot Camp and Mexico’s Bikini Boot Camp. While they differ slightly from each other in terms of actual treatments, they all use the same strategy, performing a number of treatments that each promise to attack cellulite from a different angle. Blue MedSpa’s boot camp, for example, combines nutritional and weight loss programs with detox body wraps and footbaths, body massage and the Body by Thermage treatment, a non-invasive laser therapy.

Even a MedSpa that does not offer a boot camp regimen, may offer laser therapy either on its own or in conjunction with other therapies. Lasers are believed to help break down the subcutaneous fatty tissue, which results in cellulite reduction. Some tests have shown this type of therapy to be particularly effective when used with roller cellulite massagers and suction treatments. It is also sometimes used in conjunction with liposuction or other, more invasive, cosmetic surgeries. Because lasers have been shown to work best with other forms of treatment, many companies have trademarked their particular combination of treatments. One of the most popular is Cynosure’s TriActive treatment. TriActive promises to shape and tone the skin by using a combination of laser therapy, mechanical massage and localized cooling for ultimate cellulite removal.

Those who find boot camps and laser treatments too extreme or expensive often prefer the MedSpa standby of a cellulite cream or body mask. Non surgical liposuction procedures are available, although they may not be as effective. While over-the-counter cellulite lotions have been available for decades, they usually do little more than moisturize the cellulite. Modern MedSpa masks may be made of physician-strength chemicals such as Glycolic Acid, or they may be made of natural ingredients. Epic MedSpa’s Parafango Anti-Cellulite Body Wrap, for example, uses a combination of paraffin wax and dehydrated mud to draw toxins out of the body’s fat cells. While results may not be as extreme as with laser treatments, this type of treatment is more natural, less invasive, and does not cost the hundreds or thousands of dollars that are charged for boot camps and lasers.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember before signing up for a MedSpa treatment is that regardless of their claims of success, results can be greatly varied. In fact, no treatment currently on the market has been proven to successfully reduce the appearance of cellulite all of the time, or even most of the time. Since a 2008 study found none of the available treatments to be particularly successful, numerous doctors and dermatologists have stated their opinions that many treatments have been misrepresented and that people should be wary of spending their money on MedSpa cellulite treatments.

The most common use for IPL laser treatment is photoepilation, or the removal of unwanted hair. IPL treatment works by using either a wand or a mechanical arm to focus light on the surface of the skin. The light, and the heat it produces, travels through the skin to the hair follicles, which are instantly vaporized by the intense heat. The heat also destroys papilla, which aid in hair growth, making it difficult for hair to grow back. Contrary to popular belief, IPL treatment does not permanently remove hair. While it does have lasting effects, it is considered by dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons to be a reduction technique, meaning that it will result in fewer, finer hairs. It will not permanently remove all hair.

Less effective than laser treatment, which can remove hair permanently, photoepilation has gained popularity due to the speed at which it works and its cheaper cost. While traditional lasers may require a dozen separate treatment sessions and cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. IPL laser therapy can work in as few as three sessions and may cost only a few hundred dollars. Additionally, there are a number of home treatment products currently available on the market. Tools such as the Viss IPL Hair Removal System, or the Home Skinovations Silk’n HPL, can be used at home for easy hair removal, although they do offer some long-term hair reduction. Home IPL machines are much less powerful than the state-of-the-art equipment used in spas and salons and they are neither as effective nor as lasting as a professional IPL lasers. Nevertheless, most can be bought for less than $200 and can be used as many times as needed.

This is what IPL laser treatment look like.

IPL laser treatment is also used in a process called photo rejuvenation. In this process, IPL beams are used to wound some skin cells, leaving healthy skin cells between. This promotes the growth of new healthy cells and it can be used to treat any number of unsightly skin conditions such as scars, stretch marks, sun damage and spider veins, with varying degrees of success. Most commonly, however, it is used to remove unwanted wrinkles caused by aging or as the result of a cosmetic surgery such as liposuction.

In the last few years, many spas and clinics have started using laser and IPL laser treatment for cellulite reduction. While studies investigating its effectiveness are still ongoing, IPL cellulite treatment seems to work best when used in conjunction with roller or suction massage therapy. That said, results are far from conclusive, with patients having drastically different results. One 2008 study found that no product or treatment currently on the market is consistently successful in complete cellulite removal.

While primarily used for cosmetic purposes, IPL laser therapy can also treat some medical skin conditions, using the same process used for wrinkle removal and other types of photo rejuvenation. Dyspigmentation and vascular changes caused by sun damage, broken capillaries, Poikiloderma of Civatte, and vascular or pigmented birthmarks can all be treated with IPL laser therapy. Additionally, IPL treatment is the only treatment that has proven effective in diminishing the appearance of rosacea.

Sometimes, a patient may want the same results without surgery. Liposuction cellulite procedures are expensive and risky, so not everyone will want to apply for full surgery. Thankfully, there are numerous non surgical liposuction procedures that are very effective.

Body by Thermage

This is the most non-invasive alternative to liposuction that is popularly offered by plastic surgeons. Thermage uses a laser to melt off fat underneath the skin. The heated layer also causes the collagen on the patient to tighten, making the skin robust and tight.

Thermage is a great way to tighten skin on both the face and body. It can also be used an alternative to face lift procedures. Patients who have moderate to mild skin laxity levels are excellent candidates for Body by Thermage. To get the best results, you will need to undergo several treatment sessions. Individuals with high skin laxity would be better candidates for conventional body lifting surgeries or tummy tucks.  Other similar procedures to look into would be laser skin tightening or IPL laser treatment.

Body by Thermage is one of many non surgical liposuction procedures.

VelaSmooth and VelaShape

Unlike other procedures, VelaSmooth and VelaShape do not require incisions or anesthesia. It incorporates infracted light, suctioning, cellulite massagers rollers, and radiofrequency energy to disperse fat cells and naturally expel them from the body. VelaSmooth and VelaShape treatments will improve skin texture by reducing cellulite appearance and tightening the skin. However, taking a 1 or 2 of these procedures will probably not get you the results you want. For a dramatic change, you will need to attend several cellulite treatment sessions.

Mesotherapy and Lipodissolve

Both of these treatments use tiny injections filled with various solutions to remove fat. Lipodissolve injects enzymes and mild medications into the target areas to dissolve the fat and carry them away. It is similar to mesotherapy, but lipodissolve is more popular in the US as a contouring technique because it uses milder medications and provides a faster recovery time. Lipodissolve is also effective for toning the neck area, chin, and other parts of the face.

Mesotherapy is popular in South America and Europe for removing fat and cellulite removal. During the procedure, the physician will use tiny injections of holistic compounds, medications, and amino acids to dissolve the fatty tissue. The needles used for this procedure are so small, that it is virtually painless. In addition, some patients will see significant cellulite reduction after a single session.

Researchers have conflicting theories on where the unwanted fat is transported in mesotherapy and lipodissolve. Some physicians believe the fat cells are moved to different parts of the body, including the arteries. Others believe the fat is dispelled from the body naturally within a few days. While numerous studies have shown these treatments to be effective, many cosmetic experts feel that more research needs to be done to prove their safety.

Diet Pills

There are several effective diet pills that can be purchase on a prescription basis or over the counter. Diet pills will suppress a person’s appetite, helping them to consume fewer calories. Some dieting pills target specific fat cells and help to break them up. Unfortunately, many diet pills are not FDA approved. This can lead to serious side effects, so always consult your doctor before starting any dieting medication.

Always consult with your doctor before taking diet pills.

Cellulite Cream

Cellulite lotion is notorious for having inconclusive results when tested for effectiveness of reducing the wrinkling of the skin in certain parts of the body.  However, several reviewers have commented that they have gotten positive results, so in regards to a cellulite lotion, it might be a good idea to try it out and see if it works for you.

Conclusion

The best way to get an attractive physique is by living healthy. Eating natural foods and exercising daily is essential for keeping a low fat level. When cosmetic procedures are coupled with a cellulite exercises and a healthy lifestyle, it can make a powerful and efficient combination.

In focusing on laser skin tightening, candidates undergo specific preparations prior to the treatment process. Instructions may include avoiding undiluted sunlight during the 3-4 weeks before the procedure. For most people, this is not a feasible expectation, since people must go out of their homes. In view of this, an acceptable sunscreen with an effective screening factor such as SPF 30 may be sufficient. Additionally it may be advisable to cease application of lotions, especially those creams based in vitamin A, for at least 24 hours prior to implementing the laser skin tightening. It is also advised to not use a cellulite cream 24 hours prior to the treatment as well.

Laser skin tightening for the neck.

The actual procedure begins as the surgeon initially cleanses the skin, removing any makeup residue or bonding oils. The patient receives protection for their eyes and a local anesthetic. Then the surgeon guides a laser machine over and across areas of wrinkles, emitting a high intensity lighting and cooled air simultaneously. The lighting generates a managed heat that aids in revitalization of the collagen fibers in the depths of the layers of skin. During this time, the cooled air is protecting the outer skin from burning. The general process encourages formation of multiplied collagen and the result is skin with a younger appearance.

Laser skin tightening risks and after effects are minimal. In fact, tighter facial skin with a younger appearance is attained immediately following the procedure. When the session is finished, the newly treated skin changes to a reddish tinge, which is accompanied by a warm sensation, other minimal effects are changes in skin color and central bruising. Any of these conditions lessen and generally ease away within 24 hours.

The most often performed skin tightening procedures are done on facial areas, hands and the abdomen, all for cellulite reduction. Tightening of facial areas including forehead and mouth and other areas such as skin surrounding the eyes, are all able to be tightened, thanks to laser technology. In the bulk of cases, treatment recipients do not report painful ramifications. However, in the case of overly sensitive skin, pain relieving medication might be recommended. The use of sunscreen with an advisable SPF factor is vital for the protection of the treated areas from detrimental sun rays.

Laser skin tightening of the face.

The cost of laser skin tightening is not inexpensive. The fee is on a cost per treatment basis. The precise cost might vary also, taking into consideration the skin condition of the patient, as well as the size necessary to receive treatment. The number of treatments required to eliminate wrinkles entirely is a factor in cost as well. The common procedure cost is around $500 – $3500 US dollars for each session. To obtain acceptable results, the recipient may need to schedule three to four sessions, and wait a month before resuming treatment.

Laser skin tightening sessions are the latest technology for tightening of all areas of facial lagging. This process is also used for total cellulite removal. Recommendations of avoiding sun or using sunscreen or a cellulite lotion should be followed purposefully with care. For those who have the time and money to invest in appearance and a more youthful look, this technique provides a possible solution, with the understanding that several sessions may be required to achieve the desired effect.

First, the doctor analyzes the areas in which a person wants to have the fat dissolved from. Then pictures are taken and the patient is measured. This type of procedure is not a quick fix for cellulite removal; the results are seen over time. Therefore, a person needs to understand this before deciding to have the injections. The injections do cause swelling, discomfort and tenderness after receiving them. The swelling will go down over time, but a patient needs to take into consideration that they will feel some discomfort after receiving the injections. Not all doctors carry the same type of chemicals used for Lipodissolve. Some cosmetic surgery centers utilize cheaper products, which do not have the same results.  Most times, several areas can be done in one treatment.  Some of the most common areas of the body that people chose to have this surgery on is thighs, waist, back, upper arms and chin.

Once the fat is dissolved with injections, it is then broken down in the body and excreted by cells. This cleansing process takes a few weeks. The fat that is removed from the area is permanent and remains flat. Sometimes Lipodissolve injections are given to people that had liposuction, but still have areas in which the fat remained. Some people who receive this type of cellulite reduction treatment worry about their skin being damaged or even muscle being removed. With the proper treatment, a patient would not have any of these things happen.  Even though the results are permanent, if the patient gains weight, they are likely to get the fat back to the areas that they had the Lipodissolve done on. Therefore, the patient must maintain the proper nutrition and exercise in order to keep the fat away. The average patient can expect to lose between 2 to 6 inches after the treatments. This can be a significant loss that results in a more toned and shapely figure.

Here is a an infrared shot of the lipodissolve procedure.

One reason many chose to get lip dissolve as opposed to liposuction is the cost and the time it takes to recover. A Lipodissolve center will allow the patient to be treated without being put to sleep which is a huge savings. Anesthesiologists are one of the biggest expensive that goes into a liposuction procedure. Therefore, avoiding this cost will save the patient thousands of dollars. Most people can go back to their every day activities the same day if not the next. The area that was treated may remain swollen, but the patient can still return to everyday physical activities.  With liposuctions, a patient can be restricted to a bed for weeks and also suffer a lot of pain and permanent scaring.

Lipodissolve can be costly, depending on how often you are receiving the injections. The average cost to treat one area on a patients body runs between $5-$1,000. If a person is looking to get several areas done, this expensive can quickly add up. Therefore, a person may want to consider treating just one area to see what type of results they receive. Not everybody that receives these injections are happy with the results. Sometimes, people have been known not to see any type of change in the appearance or loss of inches.  Definitely do your research on the doctor before you chose them.

One of the most common surgeries for cellulite removal is liposuction.  Liposuction removes excess fat that is located between the skin and the muscles.  The surgeon uses a small tube made of steel, and inserts the tube into the skin through tiny incisions.  The tube is connected to a machine that sucks the fat out through the tube.  After surgery, the result is less fat and a better-looking body.

Liposuction is a very common surgery to help combat cellulite.

You may also be interested in non surgical liposuction procedures.  Another common cellulite removal treatment is called mesotherapy.  This procedure usually does not take longer than 30 minutes to complete.  The middle layer of a person’s skin is injected with a combination of homeopathic medicine, vitamins, and minerals.  This results in better looking skin after 4 to 15 treatments, depending on the patient.  Many women opt for this cellulite removal surgery over liposuction because there are fewer side effects compared to other surgeries.  Other types of cellulite treatment include lipodissolve, laser skin tightening, MedSpa, and IPL laser treatment.

All women love messages, and sometimes they can actually help to reduce cellulite.  Studies show that a massage can sometimes flatten out the buildup of cellulite.  This treatment is only temporary, though.  Without a healthy diet and good exercise, the fat will return.

Surgery can be very expensive, so some people decide to just use a cellulite lotion to treat the skin.  There are many cellulite creams on the market today that help with cellulite reduction.  Most of these cellulite lotions reduce the amount of fat cells within the skin and results are usually seen within a few weeks time.  A very common and effective cellulite removal cream is called Revitol Cellulite Remover.  It is fairly inexpensive and some people have seen dramatic results in a short period of time.  You may also want to read about Cellulean lotion on our website.  Regardless of what cellulite cream you pick, remember that not a single one has been shown to be able to get rid of cellulite all by itself.

Some women just prefer to get rid of fat the old-fashioned way by doing a few cellulite removal exercises.  The best type of exercise you can do is anything to get your blood pumping and increase your heart rate.  Simple things such as jogging, swimming, or even just speed walking are ways to help get rid of that excess body fat.   You must remember, though, that cellulite exercises will not get rid of cellulite immediately, and it is really more of a measure used to prevent it, rather than make it disappear.

An activity as simple as daily jogging can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

A few things you might want to try to reduce cellulite appearance is to quit smoking if you are a smoker, and drink lots of water.  Be sure to eat plenty of fiber, and try to cut back on caffeine.  You may even want to try rubbing some aloe Vera on the areas you would like to improve.

Whatever you decide, you may want to talk to your doctor first about which treatment would be best for you.  Make sure to always maintain a balanced diet and do not forget to exercise.  Remembering this after any decision you make regarding cellulite removal will put you in the right direction for a beautiful body.

The best cellulite treatment option to fight cellulite is plain-old diet and exercise (jump on those treadmills!).  Although this is the most difficult method of cellulite reduction on your body, it is also the most effective.  The reason it is so difficult to rid yourself of cellulite in this manner is because the fat that causes cellulite is also the last fat to disappear from your body.  Even though it is tough to achieve, there is no reason not to go for it, as it encourages a fit lifestyle and will improve your overall health anyway.  You really can’t go wrong.  If you decide to use this method, make sure to focus on eating healthier, and have a routine combination workout of aerobic exercise and strength training.  There are many different types of diets available, like the 1000 calorie day diet, so be sure to find something that works for you.

Another popular anti cellulite treatment is liposuction.  These days laser treatment is being used for all kinds of things (like rosacea laser treatment for instance). While this is effective in lowering the total amount of fat on the body, a lot of times it is ineffective fighting cellulite, due to the fact that the fat removed is very deep in the body and not near the skin (which is where the fat causing the cellulite is located).  Results against cellulite are varied when this treatment is used as the sole means of fighting cellulite.

If you are interested in non surgical liposuction procedures, another popular treatment for cellulite to look into is laser skin tightening or IPL laser treatment.  How it works is a combination of bi-polar radio frequency and infrared light energy is used directly on your skin.  The idea is that the laser reduces the amount of fat beneath the skin, and tightens the top layer of the skin.  While this procedure has been successful with some people, it is extremely expensive.  Each session can run more than $1000, and you need to go to at least six times for lasting results.  There is also a new treatment called laser liposuction.

Mesotherapy is another popular treatment option.  This process involves inserting numerous tiny injections around the area of the skin where the cellulite is present.  The shots contain vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.  These treatments, while sometimes effective, a lot of times only work temporarily.  They also have potential side effects that include slight burning, swelling, and pain for days after the injections.  This treatment is administered weekly over a period of 6 to 10 weeks.

The last type of treatment available is using cellulite creams.  Using a cellulite lotion is cheaper, easier, and less invasive than other treatments described above.  I would suggest starting off using a cellulite cream, as well as a regimented diet combined with cellulite exercises.  If you have tried those cellulite removal treatments and are unsatisfied with the results, then look at a more drastic treatment option such as liposuction, lipodissolve, MedSpa, Mesotherapy, or laser.