Cellulite is a medical term that refers to dimples and bumps on the skin resulting from the problematic accumulation of subcutaneous fat cells. It is also called “fibrosclerotic panniculopathy” or “gynoid lipodystrophy” in the scientific literature. While healthy skin is smooth, skin with cellulite has a rough texture that resembles orange peel.
What is Cellulite?
Cellulite is usually seen in the arms, belly and hips, where fat storage is high. Fat cell accumulation is an important factor in cellulite formation. For this reason, cellulite problem is more common in women than in men. As the existing fat cells in adults expand and extend perpendicular to the skin, the skin surface becomes rough. Fibrous fat bands called “septa” come together and cause rough formation. In the rest of the article, you can find answers to questions on the subject such as how cellulite occurs and how to get rid of cellulite.
What Causes Cellulite?
Although the cause of the cellulite problem is not known exactly, it is known that it may occur due to more than one factor. Genetic factors, hormonal fluctuations, weight gain, weight loss, wrong eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, and some internal diseases such as diabetes facilitate the formation of cellulite. However, cellulite formation may also occur in women who eat healthy and have an active lifestyle. Weakening of the immune system may increase the risk of cellulite formation. Cellulite, which has a multifactorial formation, is an aesthetic skin problem that many women encounter at certain periods of their lives and can be eliminated by various methods. Cellulite is not a disease and its treatment is not necessary.
What are the symptoms of cellulite?
Cellulite problem may occur with different symptoms depending on the degree of cellulite. When diagnosing cellulite, it is graded according to its severity as follows:
- 1st degree cellulite: The skin appears smooth from the front. The orange peel appearance is not noticeable in standing and lying positions. The appearance of cellulite only occurs when the skin is pressed with the hand.
- Second degree cellulite: Slight indentations are noticeable on the skin while standing or sitting. There is no cellulite appearance in the lying position.
- 3rd degree cellulite: The rough appearance of the skin is noticeable when standing, lying and sitting.
What are the Types of Cellulite?
Cellulite occurs more frequently in areas of the body where fat cells accumulate. Cellulite formation on the legs may occur with excessive weight gain. Cellulite formation on the arms occurs more easily if the amount of fat in the arm is high. Cellulite on the hips can also occur as a result of sitting for long periods of time as well as gaining weight, and its treatment is possible. Individuals who face cellulite formation in the belly are generally individuals who accumulate excess fat around the waist due to excessive weight gain, such as morbid obesity , and then lose weight very quickly without exercise or with insufficient exercise.
Which Department Should You Go to for Cellulite?
Cellulite is a skin problem that is addressed by specialist physicians in the Department of Skin Health and Diseases (Dermatology) and Plastic Surgery. Many doctors believe that cellulite formation is part of a natural process. However, there are many medical methods and health technologies to eliminate cellulite. In cellulite treatment, underlying problems are evaluated from a multidisciplinary perspective, progress is made in interaction with different medical units, and correct treatment methods are applied.
Health Technologies Frequently Used in Cellulite Treatment
Today, many methods and health technologies have been developed for aesthetic skin problems. These health technologies, with varying levels of effectiveness, help professionals perform both diagnosis and treatment. Health technologies frequently used for cellulite treatment are as follows: Radiofrequency Device: Radiofrequency is a new and effective biomedical method. In addition to skin problems related to fatty tissue such as cellulite; It can be used effectively for purposes such as treating acne and acne, reducing skin wrinkles, giving the skin a lively appearance, and treating pain. Various Laser Devices: There are many laser devices with different wavelengths. These can be used for many purposes in the medical world, such as aesthetics, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Ultrasound Device: It is actively used in many medical units as both a diagnosis and treatment method using sound waves.
Cellulite Treatment
There is more than one answer to the question of how to get rid of cellulite, which many women wonder about. Cellulite can be eliminated by different methods depending on its cause, degree and area of occurrence. However, there is no completely effective treatment method. Some methods used to reduce or eliminate the appearance of cellulite are as follows:
Healthy Weight Loss
Overweight and obese individuals adopting healthy eating and regular exercise habits and thus losing weight in a balanced way can improve the appearance of cellulite. Even though the body mass index (BMI) is within the normal range, individuals with cellulite who have high fat content can help reduce the appearance of cellulite by reducing their fat ratio to a healthy range without losing muscle, under the guidance of a dietitian. Achieving a healthy body composition can reduce the rough appearance by shrinking the fat cells under the skin that cause the appearance of cellulite. If your doctor recommends you lose weight, you can achieve healthy weight loss by consulting a dietitian.
Laser Assisted Liposuction Treatment
Liposuction is the name given to the process of removing fat cells under the skin. Although this method is frequently preferred for cellulite, it does not reduce the appearance of cellulite and may even increase it. Although it is thought that the liposuction method performed with the help of laser may be effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite, there are many scientific studies arguing that it is not possible to be effective in the long term. In the laser-assisted liposuction method, laser technology is used to remove fat cells in smaller amounts and thus prevent the formation of dimples on the skin.
Carboxytherapy
is the name given to the method of eliminating the appearance of cellulite by stretching the skin by injecting carbon dioxide gas under the skin by a plastic surgeon. After the application, bruising and some mild side effects may occur in the injection area. This method can be applied to cellulite types deemed appropriate by the specialist doctor.
Retinol Cream
Retinol is a form of vitamin A. By regularly applying the retinol cream prescribed by a specialist doctor to the skin with cellulite, the skin can gain a smoother appearance.
Cryolipolysis
is a local method applied by freezing subcutaneous fat cells. It can be applied to the hip, leg and belly area. Many promising studies are ongoing regarding the cryolipolysis method, as the practice has been shown to be quite effective.
Cellulite Treatment with Radiofrequency and Laser Method
Radiofrequency is an effective and advantageous method in cellulite treatment when applied with laser technology support. Three effective methods have been developed using radio waves. By applying the correct method to the person regularly, the skin becomes younger and tighter, and the appearance of cellulite decreases. Radiofrequency application can also be used to eliminate many skin problems and wrinkles if the specialist doctor deems it appropriate. Radiofrequency and laser methods are:
- The radiofrequency system applied by an expert with the combination of Tissue Massage, radiofrequency devices and infrared rays can be easily applied to individuals with appropriate skin problems.
- The method applied with the combination of Diode laser and tissue massage is applied by the expert. The difference between the diode laser and the normal laser is that it can reach the lower skin layers due to the wavelength difference and does not target the melanin pigments in the skin.
- Radiofrequency application to both deep and superficial tissues can also be applied to individuals with cellulite by a specialist.
Ultrasound Method
This method provides temporary improvement in cellulite using sound waves. The aim of this method, which can be applied especially to the abdomen, hips and thighs, is to reduce the effect of fat cells with the help of sound waves.
Although there is no clear treatment method for the cellulite problem that affects many women, new health technologies are extremely promising. There may be many reasons for cellulite formation. You can consult a health institution to find the reasons that trigger cellulite formation, take precautions and benefit from effective treatment methods.
