Nearly every woman has it. Cellulite usually shows up during the post-puberty years and becomes more pronounced with age. Although there is no medical reason to be concerned about cellulite, as it’s a completely harmless condition, many women find it unsightly and are eager to do anything they can to get rid of it. Cellulite can be stubborn and difficult to tame, but a relatively new FDA-approved treatment called Cellfina has been clinically shown to improve its appearance for at least three years. It’s one of the many cosmetic treatments offered at Precision MD in Elk Grove, CA.
What Is Cellulite?
Cellulite creates a bumpy or rumpled look on the surface of the skin. Cellulite-ridden skin is often described as being orange peel or cottage cheese-like in appearance. Although it most often appears on the thighs or butt, cellulite can form in other parts of the body as well, including the abdomen and breasts. The exact causes of cellulite are unclear, but the condition appears to be linked to the fibrous connective cords that run between the skin and the muscle that lies beneath it. As fat builds up beneath the skin, it puts pressure on the cords, which pull spots on the skin down to create a dimpled appearance.
What Causes It?
Cellulite is much more common in women, who often develop some cellulite right after puberty. It’s also frequently associated with aging as the skin loses some of its elasticity. A range of factors, including weight, hormones, muscle tone, skin type, and genetics can affect whether a patient develops cellulite. In other words, cellulite doesn’t play favorites. Just about anyone can get it, including patients who are thin and fit. One of the most frustrating aspects of cellulite, in addition to its appearance, is just how difficult it can be to target with diet and exercise.
Why Are People So Eager to Get Rid of It?
Patients seek out cellulite removal options purely because of cosmetic reasons. There’s absolutely nothing to be concerned about if you have cellulite. It is not harmful, and it is not a sign of any underlying medical condition. However, many women are embarrassed by the look of cellulite and feel self-conscious about it, particularly when wearing a bathing suit or clothing that may reveal the uneven surface of the skin. Cellulite is one of the cosmetic issues we hear the most complaints about.
Can I Do Anything to Avoid Cellulite?
Although there’s nothing specific you can do to ward off cellulite, there are steps you can take to keep your body looking its healthy best. Adhering to a good skincare regimen can help maintain the elasticity in your skin and keep it as smooth as possible. Refraining from smoking, which can weaken the skin, is also a good idea. And getting regular exercise to ensure that muscles remain toned can help minimize the appearance of cellulite. In general, sticking to a healthy lifestyle that involves exercise, a conscientious diet, drinking plenty of water, and managing your weight will be your best defense.
How Can Cellfina Help?
The difficulty in naturally fighting cellulite is one reason why Cellfina is so popular. Cellfina is a minimally invasive treatment that can be performed in our office without the need for general anesthesia. Your physician will use a handheld needle-like device to penetrate your skin near each cellulite dimple. The device’s small blade works in a fanning motion to sever the fibrous band causing each dimple. Much like a rubber band bounces back after the tension is released, the fibrous cords will release after being severed, allowing the surface of the skin to spring back for a smooth surface.
The reason this treatment is so effective is that it addresses the primary structural cause of cellulite, which is tension in the fibrous cords, rather than simply working to ease the symptoms.
What Does Treatment Feel Like?
You may feel some suction as the handheld device adheres to your skin, but most patients find this to be a comfortable treatment.
How Quickly Will I See Results?
The results are almost immediate. Most patients begin to see improvement within three days, but your results will continue to develop over the next several weeks. In one study of individuals who have undergone this treatment, patient satisfaction stood at 85% at three months, 94% at one year, 96% at two years, and 93% at three years.
How Long Will My Results Last?
This treatment, which was approved by the FDA in 2015, has been clinically proven to improve the appearance of cellulite for at least three years.
Does It Address Loose Skin or Stretch Marks?
Although this treatment is an effective and long-lasting solution for cellulite, it does not resolve loose skin or stretch marks.
What Is Treatment Like?
Before treatment begins, a marker will be used to identify the cellulite dimples you want to be treated. This is done while you’re standing up because the dimples sometimes are not as visible when you’re lying down. A numbing solution will then be applied to the treatment area. The actual treatment can usually be completed in less than an hour, depending on the scope of your area of concern.
What Is Recovery Like?
One of the advantages of this cellulite treatment is that it involves limited downtime. Most patients resume their normal daily activities within a day or two and can return to exercise in three or four days.
What Other Treatment Options Do I Have?
You’ve probably noticed over-the-counter creams that promise to get rid of cellulite. Home remedies like dry brushing, skin wraps, and massage are also talked about online as cellulite solutions. Most of these creams and remedies are not effective or long-term solutions.
How Does Cellfina Compare to Cellulaze?
Cellulaze is another cellulite treatment that has earned FDA approval. Cellulaze, which won FDA approval in 2012, uses heat and energy from a laser device to cut the fibrous cords that create cellulite dimpling. Although both treatments are still relatively new, Cellfina is the less invasive of the two and offers the longest-lasting results of any FDA-approved cellulite treatment.
Will a Fat-Reduction Treatment Like Smart Lipo, SculpSure, or Coolsculpting Help?
Smart Lipo and SculpSure are both laser-based treatments designed to get rid of unwanted fatty areas. Smart Lipo involves inserting a tiny tube with a laser tip into the body through an incision. The laser liquefies fat cells, which are then siphoned out of the body through the tube. SculpSure is a non-surgical treatment in which heat from laser energy is used to break down fat cells. CoolSculpting works in a similar way as SculpSure, but freezes rather than heats fat cells to destroy them. SculpSure and CoolSculpting both rely on external applicators and usually require a series of non-invasive treatments.
While Smart Lipo, SculpSure, and CoolSculpting can get rid of fat and improve the look of the body, none of them specifically targets cellulite. All three treatments, however, can be used to complement and refine a patient’s Cellfina results.
Are There Different Types of Cellulite?
There are several different stages of cellulite, each of which has a slightly different appearance. The Nurnberger-Muller Scale is used to measure the degree of cellulite a patient has.
Stage 0
During Stage 0, the skin is smooth, cellulite-free, and shows no sign of dimpling or wrinkling, even when pinched.
Stage 1
During Stage 1 of the Nurnberger-Muller Scale, cellulite is not visible when the patient is either sitting or standing. But when the skin is pinched, dimples are visible.
Stage 2
Patients in Stage 2 have cellulite that appears when they are standing or otherwise upright and gravity is pulling on the body, revealing the cellulite. Patients may also experience a slight sensitivity when touching cellulite-affected skin. But when the patient is lying down and completely at rest, the cellulite is not visible.
Stage 3
Stage 3 of the Nurnberger-Muller Scale represents the highest level of cellulite. Patients in this stage have cellulite that is easily visible at any time, whether they’re standing, lying down, or pinching the skin.
Hard and Soft Cellulite
Cellulite can also be classified as hard and soft. Soft cellulite develops near the surface of the skin and is the easier of the two to address. Hard cellulite forms around the muscles and is more common in athletes. Although it is frequently less visible than soft cellulite, hard cellulite can be stubborn and more difficult to get rid of.
What Types of Cellulite Does This Treatment Address?
This treatment can be used to address all types of primary cellulite on the thighs and butt. Primary cellulite is cellulite caused by tension around the fibrous bands under the skin. In some patients, what appears to be cellulite to the naked eye is actually unevenness caused by loose and sagging skin. This treatment is not effective on that type of irregularity in the skin’s surface. Our medical professionals can properly diagnose the skin irregularity you’re seeking help with and ensure that the most appropriate treatment is followed.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
The best candidates are individuals in good overall health who have dimpled cellulite on their butt or on the backs of their thighs. Because weight fluctuations can influence the appearance of cellulite, ideal candidates are also at a stable weight. The best way to determine if you are a good candidate is to schedule a consultation where we’ll review your medical history and any medications you are taking. We can also assess your cellulite and determine whether this treatment will help you achieve your cosmetic goals.
Can This Be Combined With Other Treatments?
Depending on a patient’s goals, this may be combined with other services. Treatments for loose, sagging skin and spider veins are among the services that patients sometimes seek out in conjunction with cellulite reduction. This treatment can also be combined with CoolSculpting or SculpSure to add tone to the outer thighs. During your consultation, we can talk about your overall aesthetic goals and whether or not any complementary treatments can help you achieve them.
Who Will Oversee My Treatment?
Your treatment will be overseen by Dr. Cuber, our chief physician. Dr. Cuber is board-certified and a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. He graduated from the University of Damascus and completed his internship and residency at Case Western Hospital in Cleveland. Dr. Cuber practiced at Marshall Clinic in Wisconsin before establishing our practice.
Call Now to Learn More
If you’re tired of being embarrassed by your cellulite, and if you’ve given up on creams and home remedies that rarely seem to work, our practice can help you achieve the smooth, soft skin you’ve been hoping for. Call Precision MD in Elk Grove, CA now and schedule a Cellfina consultation.
