Summary

• Cellulite is a common skin concern characterised by a dimpled skin texture, caused by tightened bands of connective tissue pulling the skin downwards into the underlying fat
• There are many at-home cellulite treatments on the market; however, their results are limited and often temporary
• Cellulaze is an innovative surgical technique which targets the root anatomical concerns to effectively address cellulite with long-term results
• Cadogan Clinic’s team of Consultant Plastic Surgeons are experts in all areas of body contouring, including surgical cellulite treatment

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite is a common condition which causes textured, dimpled skin, most often on the thighs, hips, buttocks and abdomen.

Cadogan Clinic’s team of expert body contouring surgeons deliver the highest standards of patient care and results, including providing the latest innovative medical technology to ensure patients achieve the highest quality outcomes. 100% of Cadogan Clinic’s surgical patients would recommend the clinic to their family and friends, and all of our procedures are overseen by a leadership team rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.

Cellulite is caused by fibrous bands of tissue developing which tether the skin to the underlying muscle, trapping the subcutaneous fat in between. This leads to the fat pushing up against the skin and the bands of connective tissue pulling down, creating an uneven surface to the skin.

Although for many people cellulite is not a serious concern, for some individuals it can cause physical discomfort and skin irritation. Additionally, cellulite can have a significant impact on an individual’s confidence and self-image, limiting the activities they feel comfortable taking part in.

Cellulite is more common in women than in men, with an estimated 80%-90% of women experiencing the condition. Men can also be affected, but due to differences in fat distribution, it is estimated that only around 10% of men have cellulite. 

Cellulite is a common skin condition characterised by a dimpled, textured appearance to the skin, caused by fibrous bands of connective tissue putting pressure on areas of underlying fat.

What Causes Cellulite?

The occurrence of cellulite affects individuals differently, and the causes are not fully understood.

Although cellulite is primarily caused by the bands of connective tissue running through the subcutaneous fat which sits between the skin and the underlying muscle, there are other factors which may influence its development.

• Hormones: Cellulite most commonly develops post-puberty as the hormonal profile changes
• Genetics: Those with direct relatives who have developed cellulite have a higher chance of experiencing it themselves
• Weight: Although cellulite can affect individuals regardless of weight, those with a higher amount of excess fat may find their cellulite is more widespread or noticeable

Due to its prevalence, it can be challenging to pinpoint one specific cause of cellulite in an individual, and in many cases, there are multiple causes at play. However, being aware of the causes of cellulite can help to determine the best treatment depending on individual concerns.

The anatomical concerns are rooted in the tightened bands of connective tissue putting pressure on the subcutaneous fat; however, other factors such as genetics, weight and hormones can influence its development and severity.

What are Cellulite Creams and Massagers?

Cellulite creams and massagers are at-home treatments which promise to reduce the appearance of cellulite or even remove it altogether.

Partly due to the common nature of cellulite, it is a popular area for the skincare and beauty industries to focus on finding potential solutions. There are a huge number of products on the market which claim to be an effective solution to cellulite concerns. 

Examples of these types of products include:

• Anti-cellulite creams
• Cellulite massagers
• Dry brushing (massaging the affected area with a dry body brush)
• Anti-cellulite leggings

Unfortunately, there is limited evidence that any of these over-the-counter treatments achieve effective or long-term reduction or removal of cellulite symptoms, and in many cases the claims provided are significantly overstated.

Cellulite creams and massagers are a selection of widely available products which claim to reduce the appearance of cellulite; however, the evidence for their efficacy is extremely limited.

Do At-Home Cellulite Treatments Work?

With up to 90% of women affected by cellulite, it is understandable that many people wish to find an effective solution.

While various at-home cellulite treatments may provide a temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite, it is very unlikely that they will provide a significant or long-term result. Additionally, for those who find that their cellulite causes physical discomfort, these topical treatments cannot address the underlying anatomical concerns, meaning that they are mostly ineffective.

The ingredients and techniques which cellulite treatments at home typically rely on include:

Caffeine

Caffeine is one of the most common ingredients in anti-cellulite creams. When applied to the skin, caffeine may stimulate blood flow, reduce excess water and tighten the skin, all of which may achieve a smoother and more toned appearance to the skin. 

However, these results are limited and usually only last a few hours.

Retinol

Retinol is a popular skincare ingredient and is also often found in anti-cellulite creams. It encourages natural collagen production and thickens the outer layer of the skin, helping to smooth dimples and uneven texture in the skin.

Even with regular, consistent application over an extended period of several months, the results of retinol on cellulite may be minimal and can quickly reverse if the application routine is stopped.

Light Therapy

Some anti-cellulite products utilise red infrared light therapy to improve skin tone and texture, with the aim of reducing the appearance of cellulite.

By penetrating different layers of the skin, different wavelengths of light can encourage collagen production and improve circulation, which may result in the skin looking smoother and cellulite dimples being reduced.

However, even minimal results may take many months of consistent treatment to develop, and at-home light therapy devices can vary dramatically in their efficacy due to a lack of meaningful regulation. Combined with the high cost of many of these devices, the lack of results can be disappointing and frustrating.

Massage

Many at-home cellulite treatments rely on massage, including dedicated massage devices, dry brushing and anti-cellulite massage oils and creams.

Anti-cellulite massage techniques stimulate blood flow and encourage lymphatic drainage, which can smooth the outer layer of the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

However, any positive results that massage therapy is able to achieve on cellulite will be temporary, as it isn’t able to make significant changes to the underlying tissues.

Compression

Anti-cellulite leggings use compression to smooth the skin and improve the tone of the affected areas.

However, the results of this are only effective for the time the leggings are being worn and are minimal afterwards.

Does Cellulite Reduce with Weight Loss?

Cellulite can affect individuals regardless of overall weight, and many people with slender frames and minimal excess fat report concerns with cellulite.

In some cases, weight loss may improve the severity of cellulite by reducing the amount of fat being manipulated by the tightened bands of connective tissue. However, it isn’t possible to guarantee results; even if a consistent weight is maintained, cellulite may still recur in the future.

The main problem with at-home cellulite treatments is that instead of targeting the core anatomical concern, they deliver minimal results by temporarily disguising the appearance of the cellulite. Many people will feel let down by the promises made by many of these products, and the results they are realistically able to achieve, often with an extensive amount of work.

Although at-home cellulite treatment such as creams and massagers may temporarily improve the appearance of the surface skin, they cannot address the underlying physiological cause of cellulite, meaning that results are temporary and often insignificant.

How to Get Rid of Cellulite Effectively?

One of the most effective ways to treat cellulite is with the innovative surgical procedure, Cellulaze. 

In comparison to at-home cellulite treatments, Cellulaze addresses the root anatomical cause of cellulite by breaking down the rigid bands of connective tissue which disrupt the fat and overlying skin to cause the dimpled appearance.

During a Cellulaze procedure, small incisions are made in the affected area before a specialist laser tool is inserted. The laser is precisely targeted on the bands of connective tissue to release them, whilst also remodelling the underlying fat to further improve the body’s contours.

To enhance the final results, Cellulaze can be combined with other body contouring procedures such as Liposuction to remove excess fat.

Cellulaze is performed under general anaesthetic and takes 60-90 minutes to complete. Recovery is typically straightforward, and most patients can return to their normal routines within 3-4 weeks.

Following Cellulaze, most patients find that their results last for many years, achieving increased comfort and confidence.

Cellulaze is an innovative surgical procedure which utilises laser technology to release the tightened bands of connective tissue, comprehensively addressing the root anatomical cause of cellulite, rather than just disguising it by improving the tone of the overlying skin.

Frequently Asked Questions