Liposuction (liposuction) is one of the methods used for body contouring, but is less commonly used due to its risks and potential complications. In addition, if the patient does not follow the diet plan and physical activity recommendations after liposuction, fat starts to accumulate elsewhere on the body. Which method to choose depends on the existing lesions and the desired results.
Cellulite is a structural change in the fat layer under the skin that disrupts microcirculation and lymphatic flow. Cellulite is most commonly seen on the thighs and buttocks, but can occur anywhere in the body where there is fatty tissue. Cellulite is a metabolic disorder caused by an increase in adipose tissue and thickened connective tissue, which begins to accumulate water, toxins and slags. This causes the skin to become uneven, rough and orange peel-like. Approximately 80-90% of women have cellulite. Rarely, it is also found in men. Cellulite is more common in patients who are overweight, but it is also common in thin people.
Causes of cellulite
The exact causes of cellulite are not entirely clear, but are usually due to the following complex causes:
- Gender. It is much more common in women because the connective tissue of the female body is arranged in vertical lines, which means that the structure is weaker and does not contain the fat cells that spread to the skin surface. In addition, the female hormone oestrogen promotes the accumulation of water and fat.
- Genetics. Genetic factors are associated with a person’s metabolic rate, tendency to be overweight and the distribution of fat in the body.
- Hormones. Cellulitis is also more common with changing hormones – puberty, pregnancy, birth control pills, hormonal drugs.
- Nutrition. A diet that is incomplete, high in fat, carbohydrates, salt, low in fibre, high in fried, unhealthy, processed and fast foods, interferes with metabolism. It is also a misconception that dieting will make cellulite disappear. Strict diets often further disturb the metabolism. Weight loss often results in sagging, “sunken” skin, which requires special skin tightening after weight loss.
- Overweight. Although cellulite also occurs in slim people, a higher weight results in more adipose tissue, which is one of the main indications of cellulite.
- Lifestyle. Cellulite can be caused by frequent alcohol consumption, smoking, physical inactivity and sedentary work.
- Diseases. Cellulite can be caused by liver problems, digestive disorders and thyroid disease.
- Age. Cellulite is more common in older age, when the skin loses more and more moisture, becomes less elastic and thinner.
Stages of cellulitis
Depending on the stage of cellulite, the most appropriate treatment options are selected. There are 4 stages of cellulite:
- Stage I – almost invisible skin changes, cellulite is visible only when the skin is squeezed. Massages, wraps and body scrubs are suitable for treatment.
- Stage II – Cellulite is visible when standing, but not when lying down. Treatment includes massages and treatments designed to treat cellulite.
- Stage III – signs of cellulite are visible when standing and lying down. This is a more severe stage of cellulite and most of the hardware-based vacuum massage treatments are not very effective. For this stage, the most appropriate method of cellulite treatment would be acoustic shock wave therapy, mesotherapy, laser treatment or ultrasound cellulite reduction.
- Stage IV is the most difficult form of cellulite to treat, with visible, coarse, large subcutaneous nodules both standing and lying down. In this case, acoustic shock wave treatment, laser treatment or ultrasound treatment are recommended for cellulite reduction.
Cellulite treatment
The best way to treat cellulite is to have a specialist doctor assess the causes of cellulite and the stage of cellulite. However, there is no single treatment that is effective in eradicating cellulite. In most cases, it is not possible to completely cure and eradicate cellulite, but it is possible to improve the condition and appearance of cellulite-affected skin so that it becomes almost invisible.
Effective cellulite treatment is a complex treatment and includes a healthy diet, giving up harmful habits, exercise and treatments to treat cellulite. Drinking plenty of water is also very important – water flushes toxins out of the body. So if the body lacks water, toxins will accumulate in certain places. Dehydrated skin is dry, inelastic and therefore more prone to cellulite.
Products that work effectively on cellulite affected skin:
- Treatments that stimulate subcutaneous microcirculation and lymphatic circulation;
- Exercise;
- A healthy and balanced diet.
