Do you suffer from cellulite? If so, then you are definitely not alone. In fact, over 90% of people are affected by cellulite at some point in their lives. It’s extremely frustrating, especially for women who are otherwise fit and healthy. For such a common condition, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding it, including why it appears, who can be affected and how to get rid of it.

So before panicking about the appearance of cellulite and putting yourself on a strict diet and exercise regime, we thought it would be helpful to give you the complete lowdown on cellulite so that you can be properly informed before making any changes.

What is cellulite?

Cellulite is fat beneath the skin, in which these underlying fat deposits give the skin a bumpy and lumpy appearance. These pockets of fat are pushing through layers of your collagen fibres under your skin, therefore weakening this area of connective tissue. It’s not harmful in any way, but it’s often seen as being unattractive and therefore most people want to remove it.

It most commonly appears in the thighs and buttocks, and is commonly found in more women than men. This is because women tend to carry more fat around their hips and thighs, and have less supportive connective tissue to keep it all in place. This is not to say that men can’t get cellulite, but it’s often less than 10% that will be affected.

What causes cellulite?

A lot of women (and the media doesn’t help) associate cellulite with being overweight, which is a reason why it can be really upsetting for a women when they notice it appearing. This isn’t completely true. Whilst poor diet and being overweight can be a cause of cellulite, it isn’t the only reason for why it appears. Other factors include:

• Fad dieting
• Slow metabolism
• Changes in hormones (It can worsen with age)
• Dehydration
• Thickness of skin
• Colour of skin

It tends to be more noticeable on lighter skin than darker skin, and it’s more likely to affect those where cellulite runs in the family.

Cellulite Treatments?

Can you get rid of cellulite? A lot of people think that once they have it, it never goes away, whilst others believe that there are special products that will remove it. So what’s the truth?

There is actually no scientific proof that any products or treatments completely get rid of cellulite. However, there are a few things that can help reduce the appearance. These include:

Vaser liposelection – A form of fat removal that uses ultrasound technology to break up fat cells. It’s tissue selective as it specifically targets fat cells without disturbing the tissue around. It’s quick and easy, and is an alternative to liposuction for those with a busier lifestyle.

Body by Thermage – Non-invasive procedure that smooths, tightens and contours skin without the use of surgery or injections.

INTRAcel – A technique that uses Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling. It delivers energy to the deep dermis at the point of penetration without disturbing anything else.

Healthy eating and exercise – A good diet and plenty of exercise is a brilliant way to limit the appearance of cellulite.

As a cosmetic skin clinic in the UK, The Aesthetic Skin Clinic are pleased to provide treatments that look to target cellulite and attempt to reduce its appearance. This includes the Vaser Liposelection, Body by Thermage and INTRAcel.

For more information on these treatments, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can give us a call on 01481 736699 and a member of our expert team will be happy to help.