If you are female, chances are you have cellulite --- if only a little bit. It's that dimpled skin that shows up most often on your buttocks, thighs and hips that may cause you to feel self-conscious when swimsuit season comes around. While cellulite isn't a serious medical condition, myriad treatments exist for it. Always consult a doctor before trying a new treatment.
Significance
Cellulite treatments, from massages to creams to mesotherapy, are billed as a way to diminish the appearance of your orange-peel skin. Liposuction is another option sometimes billed as a treatment. However, the majority of these treatments do not produce results, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sometimes there is a slight improvement to skin following such treatments, but results don't last long, say the experts at the clinic.
Theories/Speculation
The theory behind creams is that the host of ingredients they contain will reduce appearance of cellulite. Ingredients include herbs, vitamins and minerals. Massage is meant to increase blood flow, reduce extra fluid in cellulite-ridden areas and remove toxins. Practitioners utilize hand-held machines in the type of massage called endermologie or lipomassage. With mesotherapy, a practitioner injects a solution that may have a variety of ingredients under your skin. Common ingredients include enzymes, aminophylline, hormones, vitamins, herbal extracts and minerals, according to the Mayo Clinic. With liposuction, a tube is inserted under your skin and fat cells are sucked out.
Warning
There are some risks involved with cellulite treatments. Mesotherapy can lead to infection, bumpy or uneven skin contours or rashes. Cellulite creams can lead to rashes and skin reactions, according to the nonprofit health-care and hospital organization Ohio Health. Liposuction may even make the appearance of cellulite on your body worse, according to Ohio Health.
Potential
One type of medical therapy may produce results that last up to six months --- but it requires a series of twice-weekly treatments, according to the Mayo Clinic. This therapy uses a combination of lasers and radiofrequency systems. One such system adds negative tissue massage to the mix, while another combines radiofrequency and infrared light. Losing weight also can help to reduce your appearance of cellulite, the experts at the clinic note. In fact, weight loss is actually the most beneficial treatment for cellulite, though it won't make your cellulite disappear completely. Unfortunately, you cannot prevent cellulite completely, reports CNN. However, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight will help you maintain better skin texture and tone. You see cellulite because it's close to the surface of your skin, which is why even skinny people have it, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Expert Insight
If you choose to see a doctor or dermatologist about cellulite treatment, prepare yourself before going in for an initial consultation, advise the experts at the Mayo Clinic. Bring a list of questions that is prioritized from the most important to the least. Make sure you ask about the pros and cons of any treatment you are considering. Also, find out about the cost per session and the overall cost for treatment and any follow-up that will be needed.
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