Cellulite Treatment - An overview.

Introduction:

Cellulite is not harmful, and it is usually seen in women as the fat distribution is different compared to men and is commonly found on the calf, buttocks, inner part of the arm, hips, thighs, breasts, and abdomen; factors affecting are an imbalance of hormone-like estrogen, insulin, thyroid, etc. Also, prolactin leads to a decrease in the production of collagen and an increase in fat production, making skin look saggy, a poor diet containing an excess of carbohydrates and salt, unhealthy lifestyle, weight gain, pregnancy, aging, and genetics, sitting in the same position for a long time, wearing tight underwear, can restrict the blood flow to the connective tissues and can cause cellulite formation.

Depending upon the severity, they are divided into three grades; in mild grade, the appearance of skin looks like orange skin with one to four bumps or dimples seen on the skin affecting the outer layer of skin with loss of skin elasticity; in moderate grade, skin looks like cottage cheese with five to nine bumps or dimples seen on the skin, in severe type skin starts to look like a mattress with more than ten deeper bumps or dimples seen on the skin.

What Is the Treatment Option To Remove Cellulite?

Cellulite can be removed with various treatment approaches; many studies show that a combination of treatment approaches shows excellent and effective results as each treatment have its drawback and limitation, and some treatments have shown to be temporarily effective.

• Topical treatment can be temporarily effective, and it helps to fade the appearance of cellulite by making skin smoother. Still, it has to be used daily for the results to show because it works only on the external surface of cellulite to fade internally. The fat is still there beneath the skin, which creates the pulling of the skin as the skin loses its elasticity. Studies have shown that the use of retinoid topical cream can in reducing of cellulite appearance, but it takes a few months for the result to offer; retinol has many side effects; it can be sensitive to skin, and not many people can tolerate the burning, redness, dryness, and peeling as it can progress to rash.

• Caffeine massage scrub helps to remove dead skin cells. It increases the blood flow to the muscle, having a property of dehydration; it can reduce the water content of fat, leading to fading of cellulite appearance.

• Subcision is a minimally invasive procedure done with a hypodermic needle to remove fat deposited underneath the skin; this procedure also helps remove acne scars.

• Laser ablation treatments can help reduce cellulite. It is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a thin wire that emits a laser. It is pushed into the skin; the laser light aids in the breakdown of fat cells and fibrous connective tissue leading to cellulite appearance. However, the treatment takes some time for the results to show.

• The radiofrequency treatment uses radiofrequency energy to break the fat cells, which are reused by the lymphatic system in the production of collagen to repair the skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite; there are some side effects like a thermal burn, pain, swelling, soreness of the skin, redness, bruising. This treatment requires multiple sittings for the results to show.

• Cryolipolysis helps freeze fat cells, which gradually melt down and are excreted from the system; a suction device is used at that freezing temperature of -4 to -20 degrees to freeze fat cells; this treatment has side effects called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia.

• Ultrasound is a procedure that uses non-thermal sound waves to break the fat cells into the liquid form used in the targeted area without harming the surrounding tissues that are naturally excreted from the body; this treatment requires multiple sessions for effective results.

• Carboxytherapy is a procedure in which purified carbon dioxide is injected in the regulated form underneath the skin to promote blood supply to the cells and the production of collagen fibers which increase the skin's elasticity and reduce the pigmentation of the skin and reduce the cellulite appearance.

• Microdermabrasion can also help reduce the appearance of cellulite with the abrasive crystal of aluminum oxide, which is scrubbed through the face to remove the dead cells and rejuvenate the production of new cells.

• The combination of multiple compositions containing caffeine, herbal medicine, hormone, and enzymes is injected at the cellulite site. Although this procedure is called mesotherapy, less data is found supporting the practical results, and there are some side effects like redness, swelling, and allergic reactions.

• QW (once weekly) injection containing collagenase Clostridium histolyticum-ages enzyme injected in multiple sittings has shown effective results in the clinical trial and is approved by the Food Drug and Administration (FDA) department for the use of cellulite reduction by targeting collagen fibers that release the deeper connective tissues, it has some side effects like redness, skin discoloration, and itching, however, it is still under trial to verify the long term results.

• Physical exercise also helps in reducing cellulite; because of the movements in muscle, the fat deposit becomes active and are displaced and start to burn out. Exercises like squats, reverse lunges, crusty lunges, lateral lunges, and aerobic exercises involving cycling, walking, and swimming can help reduce cellulite.

• Lifestyle changes, including restriction on fat intake, regular exercise, restriction on smoking and consuming alcohol, and not sitting in one position for a longer time, can help in the case of cellulite.

• Massaging of the cellulite area has also shown effective results in a few; massaging helps increase the blood flow and production of collagen fibers that help remove toxins through lymphatic drainage.

Conclusion:

Cellulite is not harmful, but if it bothers someone, it can be treated. For some single treatments, the approach is practical. In contrast, some may need a combination of treatments. So it is best to consult a healthcare provider and discuss the shortcoming of each available treatment option. The results may also depend on the skill and experience of healthcare providers.