The term “cellulite” was coined in 1973 to refer to the dimpling of skin in certain fatty areas of the body. Cellulite is much more common in women, especially in the hips, thighs, and buttocks, and takes on an “orange peel” appearance.
This condition is a normal variation of skin which is thought to occur when too many fat cells become too large, causing fibrous tissue connections to stretch. Because women have thinner skin than men, the overlying skin will bulge outward, forming visible indentations.
Cellulite is essentially a problem involving excess superficial fatty tissue and differences in skin thickness and support structures, so there are relatively few methods that are effective in permanently altering the body and preventing the recurrence of cellulite.
While various anti-cellulite creams, supplements, and massage techniques have been actively promoted over the years, studies have not shown them to be really effective.
Liposuction, which involves vacuuming fat from the body, can be used to smooth out the appearance of certain areas, but it is generally not recommended for cellulite.
There are also two other techniques that have been used as therapy for cellulite, with varying results:
Mesotherapy – this involves small injections which break down fat cells. The injections cause inflammation and disruption of the cells, after which the fat is disposed of by the body.
Only small areas can be treated, so this is not a technique that is recommended for someone with significant amounts of cellulite
Injections cause pain, redness, and burning for up to several days
Not yet approved in this country
Repeated injections are necessary – a total of 2-3 sessions at 6-12 week intervals
Cost ranges from $200-600 per session
Monthly sessions are required to maintain the result
Endermologie – a machine applies gentle pressure and suction to the skin; this is thought to stimulate the breakdown of fat
Procedure has shown modest results
Disagreement over whether it is really effective
A session lasts 40 minutes
No pain Cost is $50-70 a session
Average cost, $1200-2000
Maintenance, $50-70 per month
There is still no way permanent method of removing cellulite, and because it is a condition that associated with excess fat, treatment like mesotherapy and endermologie should still be combined with a sensible diet and exercise program.