Cellulite Causes and Treatments

Everyone has it: cellulite. It lurks underneath the skin and appears when a person walks, bends, or sits. It can range in consistency from “orange peel” to “cottage cheese,” depending on how pronounced and how severe the cellulite is. Most women are extremely self-conscious about cellulite, as it affects the appearance of the skin. Cellulite can be annoying and take a serious toll on a woman’s self-confidence. But what causes cellulite and is there a way to treat it?

What Causes Cellulite

Fat is stored all over the body, but it is only in some areas that cellulite appears. No matter how much weight a woman carries, there is the possibility that cellulite can appear. Almost every woman, at some time in her life, develops cellulite, occurring as early as puberty or appearing in the patient’s adult years.

The number one cause of cellulite is genetics. A person’s genetics largely dictate how, when, and why fat accumulates in a certain area. How other factors affect cellulite is not well known, but there is some evidence to suggest that reduced blood flow and lack of muscle mass can affect the appearance of cellulite.

The most common cause of cellulite is, however, excess fat and the connective tissues. Unlike in men, whose connective tissues are arranged in a basket-weave formation, women’s connective tissues most often appear in straight bands. The fat then pushes against these bands and bulges against the skin, achieving that dimpled texture that frustrates so many women. Women who are gaining weight are more likely to suffer from cellulite, as there is more fat pushing against the connective tissue, while those losing weight or with significant muscle tone are less likely to see cellulite.

How to Treat Cellulite

While eating right and exercising on a regular basis are a good foundation for treating cellulite, the only truly effective treatments for cellulite come from a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Many women find that no matter how hard they work to lose weight or how far the numbers drop on the scale, cellulite still occurs. This is where laser treatments and liposuction come in.

Liposuction helps to remove the fat that is pushing against the connective tissue and creating that cottage cheese affect. If there is little to no fat in the area, there will be no cellulite. However, women with cellulite who undergo liposuction may also need to undergo a skin tightening procedure to reduce post-surgical dimpling.

There are also laser treatments that are designed to reduce fat deposits and increase circulation to the target area, which some women find can also reduce the appearance of cellulite.

In addition, there are cellulite reduction treatments on the market, such as VelaShape. This treatment involves the use of massaging rollers, radiofrequency, infrared light, and suction to gradually reduce the appearance of cellulite. Most patients undergo a series of these treatments to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

For more information about cellulite, what causes it, and how it can be treated, contact Jefferson Plastic Surgery today.