You might call it dimples. You might think of it as the “cottage cheese” skin. However you refer to it, cellulite can be an unwelcome sight. It’s an unavoidable reality for many men and women, but thankfully, it’s treatable. In fact, cellulite reduction treatments have advanced considerably just in the past decade, offering a number of great ways to achieve a more even skin tone.
So what are the top cellulite reduction treatment options? Take a moment to consider the different solutions we provide to our patients here at Charlotte Plastic Surgery.
What is Cellulite?
Before we explore the top cellulite reduction treatment options, it may be helpful to step back and think about the issue more broadly.
Cellulite forms when fibrous bands, known as septae, begin to tighten irregularly. They pull down on the skin and let the normal layer of fat underneath the skin push up. This is what causes that lumpy, bumpy, “dimpling effect” or “cottage cheese” texture, type appearance.
Cellulite impacts women more often than men, due to differences in skin, fat, and muscle distribution. In fact, almost nine out of 10 adult women have cellulite somewhere on their bodies. The areas most commonly impacted by cellulite include the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs.
Something else to keep in mind regarding cellulite is that it tends to worsen with age. The reason for this is simple: As we get older, our skin loses some of its elasticity. As a result, it is less able to resist that irregular tension, as caused by the breakdown of the septae.
It is sometimes assumed that only overweight individuals experience cellulite, but this isn’t the case at all; even the leanest men and women may struggle with dimples. Also, note that weight loss is by no means a guaranteed way to eliminate the signs of cellulite.
Are You a Candidate for Cellulite Reduction?
That’s the quick version of what cellulite is and who it affects. Now, let’s get into the top cellulite reduction treatment options.
First and foremost, are you a good candidate to receive cellulite reduction treatments? If you have cellulite on your body and you are dissatisfied with your skin tone or overall physical appearance, then you may qualify for cellulite reduction. Note that cellulite reduction treatments tend to be most effective for patients who meet the following criteria:
- Not significantly overweight
- Happy with their current weight level and plan to maintain it
- In good overall physical health
- Have talked to their skincare provider and have realistic expectations about cellulite reduction results
On this last point, it’s worth stressing that the top cellulite reduction treatment options can significantly reduce the visibility of dimpling, resulting in skin tone and texture that you’re very happy with, however, even the most advanced treatments will not totally eliminate cellulite. It’s important to have realistic expectations in mind before you seek treatment.
Exploring the Top Cellulite Reduction Treatment Options
As for specific options for reducing dimpling, there are a number of treatments we can offer to our patients at CPS.
Radiofrequency Treatments
Beyond lasers, there are various other energy sources that may be used to reduce dimpling. For example, radiofrequency (RF) treatments and infrared light can both be used to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which smooths out your skin tone and minimizes the visible effects of cellulite.
One of the pros of these energy-based treatments is that they do not require any kind of incision, and are thus deemed to be non-invasive. As a result, there is usually little, to no downtime required following these procedures.
