Cellulite is one of the top cosmetic issues faced by people of all shapes, sizes, and ages. If you have cellulite, you are not alone. Having cellulite doesn’t mean that you’re overweight. Even people with low BMI can have cellulite. It can be tough to improve cellulite, especially with many treatments that over-promise results. Keep reading to find out how subcision for cellulite could help improve the appearance of cellulite. 

What is Cellulite and What Causes it?

Cellulite is a common condition that’s harmless. It causes lumpy or dimpled flesh on thighs, hips, buttocks, and stomach. The condition is most common in women, but it can affect both men and women. 

Similar to the progression of ageing, cellulite develops in stages. It starts by being visible when you pinch the skin, and you see wrinkles. Then, dimples start to appear, and then cellulite becomes more visible. The final stage means that the cellulite is more noticeable, and in some cases, painful. 

Cellulite is caused by a buildup of fat underneath the skin. Little is known about the precise cause of cellulite, but it appears to result from an interaction between the skin and fat. Factors that play a role in cellulite forming include genetics, age, gender, dietary and lifestyle choices. Weight gain can make cellulite more noticeable, but lean people can also experience it.  

 

Subcision for Cellulite: Quick Overview

What Can You Do to Improve 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.  

How Can You Treat Cellulite?

While it can certainly help 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. 

How Does Subcision for Cellulite Work?

Subcision is a minimally invasive procedure that works to release the tension that causes cellulite. It does this by cutting the fibrous bands beneath the skin. Your surgeon will use local anaesthesia and a special needle to cut the bands. After cutting the bands, the subcutaneous fat is redistributed to smooth out the surface. During the procedure, patients may benefit from fat transfer at the same time. This is when you use the patient’s own fat and tissue to smooth out pockets of fat and improve the skin’s surface. 

Many patients return to normal activities the same day as the procedure. You can restart more vigorous activity after 1 week. In the first few days, it’s normal to experience some slight bruising and pain, but this will resolve on its own. 

What are the Benefits of Subcision for Cellulite?

Subcision is considered one of the best ways to get rid of cellulite. As the procedure is minimal, the soreness, bruising, and any pain is mild and resolves quickly. Most patients experience limited downtime and a speedy recovery. 

How Long Does it Take to Recover From Subcision for Cellulite?

As a minimally invasive surgery, subcision for cellulite uses a local anaesthetic and requires little downtime. Most patients can return to normal activities soon after the procedure. You should wait another week before you resume vigorous exercise. In the first few days, it’s common to experience some slight swelling and bruising. This will subside on its own over time.  

The recovery for subcision for cellulite is minimal. But if you were to combine this procedure with another treatment, then the recovery may be longer. For instance, it’s common to combine subcision and fat transfer into one surgery. So, you would have a slightly longer recovery time than just having subcision only. Your recovery time depends on the part of the body that is being treated. It’s normal to experience swelling and bruising in the first few days, but this will go down in about a week. 

As with any procedure, there are some risks involved, such as: 

  • Bruising 
  • Redness 
  • Swelling 
  • Infection 
  • Tenderness and pain 
  • Bleeding at the injection site

Aftercare for Subcision for Cellulite

After your procedure, you may experience some tenderness, swelling, and bruising. There can also be some redness and itching. Following the treatment, you can go home the same day. Although you can resume normal activities, you will likely want to take the rest of the day off and let your body heal. Take it easy and listen to your body. You will continue to see bruising and swelling over the next couple of weeks, and this will resolve gradually. 

 

If you struggle with cellulite and find that it doesn’t respond to a healthy diet and exercise, a subcision procedure may be suitable. To improve your skin’s appearance, schedule a consultation today with Dr. Riaz Agha to take the first step towards smoother skin.