If you’re a woman, there’s a good chance you have cellulite. And even though it is one of the most widespread aesthetic concerns in the world, you probably wish there was a way to diminish those lumps and dimples so you could feel more confident in shorts, skirts, on the beach and with what you see in the mirror.
Well, here’s some good news: effective and science-backed treatment options for cellulite exist. From dermatologist-approved creams to noninvasive and minimally invasive solutions offered at medical spas, there are many solutions to choose from.
In this post, we’ll walk you through some of these cellulite treatments and explain how they work. You’ll also learn about a revolutionary cellulite treatment offered by our team at Lucienne Salon & Medical Spa in South Jordan, UT.
Understanding Cellulite
Cellulite is characterized by bumpy and dimpled skin, which usually occurs on the thighs, buttocks and lower abdomen. It is predominantly a female condition, as research shows cellulite affects 80%–90% of girls and women but only about 10% of men.
A common misconception about cellulite is that it is somehow related to being overweight or obese. While women with excess weight are indeed more likely to have cellulite, cellulite doesn’t discriminate. Women of all ages, races and body compositions are known to have it. Which brings us to an important question: what exactly causes cellulite?
Cellulite has baffled scientists for decades, and its exact causes remain unknown. Its high prevalence suggests that it is a normal part of female physiology. There are, however, two main reasons why women are more prone to this skin condition:
Thin skin
The deeper layer of the skin, called the dermis, is 20% thinner in women than in men. Thinner skin means that the underlying fat can easily protrude into the dermis and create the orange-peel appearance we associate with cellulite.
Different anatomy
Your muscles and skin are connected with collagen bands called fibrous septae. These also serve to hold adipose fat in separate compartments. In men, fibrous septae crisscross at a 45° angle. In women, they run vertically, making it easier for them to pull down on the skin and cause the underlying fat to protrude.
Who Gets Cellulite?
Anyone can develop cellulite. However, some people are more prone to this skin condition than others. Risk factors include:
Being female
As explained, cellulite is found in up to 90% of all post-pubertal women of all races and ages. When men develop cellulite, it is often due to hormonal imbalances or genetic conditions.
Family history
If your mother or other female relatives have cellulite, you’re more likely to have it, too. Our genes play a big part in many aspects of our health and appearance, and cellulite is no exception.
Older age
Aging causes the skin to become thinner and less elastic, fat deposits to become larger and more numerous, and tissue to be less oxygenated. All these different factors come together to worsen cellulite as we age.
Higher BMI
Women with a higher body mass index (BMI), especially if older, are at a greater risk of having cellulite.
Living in developed countries
Some studies found a higher prevalence of cellulite in industrialized societies. This means that environmental factors play a role, too. Diet, lack of physical activity and endocrine disruptors are some of these possible factors.
Cellulite Treatment Options
Cellulite can seem like an inevitable consequence of being female and next-to-impossible to get rid of. But, like with many aesthetic concerns, there are treatments. Here are some of the options that may have a beneficial effect:
Lifestyle changes
As mentioned earlier, cellulite can point to systemic issues like excess weight, chronic inflammation and hormonal imbalances. It makes sense to try tackling this problem first with lifestyle changes. Maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol and tobacco, reducing sodium intake, exercising regularly and increasing fruit and vegetable intake can do wonders for both your health and your appearance.
Creams
An at-home option for cellulite is topical treatments. While this option can seem like a gimmick, research has shown that creams containing caffeine, herbal extracts, vitamins, acids and other compounds can have a positive effect. Creams with sulfo-carrabiose derived from red seaweed were especially effective. The downside with these treatments is that the effects are typically short-lived, and they usually only work on mild to moderate cases.
Oral supplements
Oral supplements that boost collagen production and enhance skin health can also diminish cellulite. Bioactive collagen peptides, for example, were found to lead to improvement in cellulite in normal-weight women when compared to placebo.
Massages
Massaging areas affected by cellulite can improve lymphatic drainage and blood flow, both of which can diminish cellulite. Lipomassage techniques that use positive and negative pressure seem to work best for cellulite reduction.
Subcision
Plastic surgeons often use a minimally invasive procedure called subcision to treat cellulite. Using a cannula with a sharp end, the surgeon breaks the fibrous bands that contribute to cellulite. When combined with other treatments, the results can be significant.
Technology
Cellulite treatment technologies have come a long way and now include the use of acoustic waves, radiofrequency, laser, intense pulsed light and more.
EMTONE: A Revolutionary New Treatment for Cellulite
And speaking of technology, there’s a revolutionary cellulite treatment with a 90% patient satisfaction rate. Developed by BTL, EMTONE is a device that combines thermal monopolar radiofrequency and mechanical targeted pressure energy to reduce cellulite.
The combination of these two technologies produces more dramatic and long-lasting results than other noninvasive cellulite treatments. This device works by boosting collagen and elastin production, which leads to smoother and tighter skin and thus less cellulite! It’s proven to be 59-64% more effective than stand-alone cellulite treatments and 50% faster.
At Lucienne Salon & Medical Spa in South Jordan, UT, we have achieved great results using this treatment alone. Most patients need only four treatments that take only about 20 minutes each. We can also combine EMTONE with body contouring procedures like EMSCULPT NEO or Vanquish ME for best results.
Other benefits of EMTONE for cellulite reduction include:
- Minimally invasive
- No downtime required
- Completely painless
- Safe for all skin types
- Fast results (visible improvement after a single session)
- FDA-cleared for men and women
Learn More About Cellulite Treatment Options at Lucienne
At Lucienne Salon & Medical Spa, we want to provide the best and latest treatment options for our Utah clients concerned about cellulite. That’s why our treatment options include science-backed options like EMTONE. If you want to learn more about cellulite treatments at our medical spa, contact us today to book your first consultation by clicking here or calling us at 801-280-9990!