Cellulite is entirely normal and natural. There’s nothing with having it, and many people experience it. But, there’s also nothing wrong with wanting to get rid of it. Technically, you can’t get rid of cellulite at home. No matter how many creams or scrubs you use, those dimples need a little bit more help to appear less visible. Let’s talk about how to get rid of cellulite.
What is Cellulite?
Cellulite is a common condition that causes dimples and lumps on the skin. It’s often found on the thighs, buttocks, hips, and abdomen. It’s most commonly found in women but can affect men as well.
A collection of fat pushes against the connective tissue, and this is what creates that dimpled look so common with cellulite. Cellulite can make the skin surface look bumpy, lumpy, or puckered.
Sometimes cellulite is described as having a cottage cheese or an orange peel texture. You can have different grades of cellulite, from relatively unnoticeable to more obvious.
What Causes Cellulite?
Although the precise cause of cellulite is relatively unknown, it’s thought that it involves the connective tissue to underlying muscles and the fat between them. On top of this, hormones, genetics, weight, and muscle tone appear to play a role in the development of cellulite. Weight gain can make cellulite more visible, but lean people with a healthy weight can also have cellulite.
While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of cellulite, here are some factors that appear to play a role in cellulite development:
- Sun damage
- Ageing
- Loose skin
- Lifestyle
- Diet
How Common is Cellulite?
If you’re troubled by cellulite, you are not alone. The condition affects about 90% of women and 10% of men. One of the reasons that cellulite typically affects women more is because they tend to have more fat distributed around the thighs, hips, and buttocks. These are common areas for cellulite.
What is the Best Way to Get Rid of Cellulite?
You can take steps at home to make cellulite less noticeable, but you can’t get rid of cellulite through diet and exercise alone. That said, it’s a great place to start. A combination of regular exercise and a healthy diet will help decrease the layer of fat underneath the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite. It’s vital that you stay hydrated and follow a healthy diet, as water retention can make cellulite look more obvious. Other tips to improve cellulite at home include:
- Try dry brushing or massaging the area.
- Cut down the time you wear tight clothing.
- Use a cellulite control cream to smooth skin.
While it’s always a good idea to lead a healthy lifestyle, you can be the picture of health and still have some cellulite. You can practice good skincare and never smoke, but ageing reaches everyone at some point. In this case, you may start to look to surgical or cosmetic procedures to help reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Cellulite vs Lipoedema
It’s easy to put cellulite and lipoedema in the same category, but they are quite different. Lipedema is a condition where excess fat gathers in the bottom part of the body. It mostly affects the buttocks, hips, thighs, and calves. Over time, lipedema can cause your skin to become very sensitive. It can even hurt, bruise easily, or feel cold. The texture of the skin can change too. In some cases, lipoedema can affect the way you walk. For more information, read this guide to lipoedema.
In contrast, cellulite is a cosmetic condition, not a medical one. Cellulite shouldn’t hurt. Although it can be frustrating and affect the appearance of your skin, it shouldn’t be painful. So, while both conditions can cause the skin to look lumpy or dimpled, lipoedema is a much more serious medical condition than cellulite. Depending on your condition and severity, liposuction may be required to treat lipoedema as it permanently removes fat cells.
How to Get Rid of Cellulite: Cellulite Treatment Options
If cellulite bothers you, you’re not alone. There are treatments that can make cellulite less visible.
Subcision for Cellulite
Subcision for cellulite is a minimally invasive procedure where a needle is inserted just under the skin. The needle breaks up the tough bands that are beneath the skin and causes you to see cellulite.
When the bands are cut, the fat is redistributed to smooth out the surface of the skin. The procedure can have immediate results and requires minimal downtime and recovery. Results are long-lasting, and many patients are happy with the final result.
While it can certainly help to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet, it isn’t the ultimate solution to reducing cellulite. Improving your circulation and muscle tone will benefit those cellulite-prone areas. You may be able to temporarily smooth out cellulite with the right creams and ingredients, but for long-term benefits, subcision can help to treat cellulite.
As with any cosmetic treatment, it’s important to speak to an experienced and qualified plastic surgeon so that you can make the best decision possible.
It’s important to understand that cellulite is different from fat. A treatment that can effectively target fat like Vaser liposuction isn’t guaranteed to remove or reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Microneedling for Cellulite
Microneedling may be useful for reducing the appearance of cellulite as it can increase collagen and elastin and stimulate your skin’s natural healing abilities. Microneedling is not a permanent solution to getting rid of cellulite however it can improve the appearance of cellulite and address other issues like:
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Skin laxity
- Stretch marks
- Uneven skin tone
- Skin pigmentation
As a non-invasive treatment, it’s a good option for those who want to avoid surgery. However, the results won’t be permanent. Typically, you will need a top-up appointment to maintain your results.
Cellulite Treatment London at The Harley Clinic
If you’re bothered by cellulite, contact the team at the Harley Clinic and book a consultation today at our Harley Street cosmetic surgery clinic.
