You take a look at your upper legs when you’re wearing shorts or a skirt and you really don’t like what you see. The skin is bumpy and uneven, thanks to deposits of fat that are just beneath it.
Cellulite is a common condition, affecting somewhere between 80 and 90 percent of the population. Whether you’re slender or overweight, male or female, you can find yourself facing cellulite. Although it can be pretty embarrassing to look at and might make you want to wear long pants or a long skirt, even on the hottest days of the year, cellulite is pretty harmless. It won’t cause you any medical issues. Still, if you have it, you probably want to get rid of it.
What is Cellulite?
In the simplest of terms, cellulite is just fat below the skin. Everyone, even the skinniest of people, have some fat, so everyone, even the very skinny, can have cellulite. The fat that causes cellulite presses against the connective tissue, so that the skin puckers. That’s what creates the bumpy appearance.
Some factors can make you more likely to have cellulite or more likely for it to be visible on your body. For example, it’s often easier to see cellulite when you have very pale or fair skin. Darker complexions are better able to conceal the lumps and bumps.
Although you can have cellulite as a thin person, being overweight and having excess fat does increase your risk for having it. While men and women can have it, it’s more common in women, thanks to hormones.
How to Treat Cellulite
People have been coming up with solutions for cellulite since it was first recognized as a thing to be concerned about. For example, some people claim that rubbing coffee grounds on the skin helps eliminate the bumps and lumps. Sadly, that’s not the case. Others claim that massage helps smooth out the fat and skin. While massage can have a temporary effect on the appearance of the skin, it’s not a long-lasting treatment option.
People who are considerably overweight or who have a fair amount of excess fat can see some improvement in their cellulite by losing weight. But since the condition can occur in any size person, this isn’t a sure fire way to get rid of it.
The good news is that there is a medical treatment that helps to get rid of a cellulite. The treatment is actually approved by the FDA, meaning it has passed numerous tests and trials demonstrating its effectiveness.
Known as Cellulaze, the treatment uses the same laser found in SmartLipo treatments to slice through the collagen or connective tissue that is pulling down on the skin and creating the puckered lumps of cellulite. Once the connective tissue is cut, the skin smooths out, improving the appearance of the area. The laser can also help eliminate some of the fat associated with cellulite and offers some degree of skin tightening.
What to Expect After Cellulaze Treatment
Cellulaze is completely non-invasive and doesn’t require much, if any, downtime. Many people are able to return to their regular activities the day after their treatment. Side effects are minimal and might include some bruising. To help speed the healing process and improve results, you might want to wear a compression garment for a few weeks after the treatment.
Usually, full results are visible a few weeks after Cellulaze. Although how long results last can vary from patient to patient, many people see results that last for longer than one year. Eating a healthy diet and working out regularly can help extend how long your results last.
About Dr. Rubinstein
Dr. Ran Y. Rubinstein offers Cellulaze and a variety of laser treatments at Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists, PC in Newburgh, New York. A board certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Rubinstein can help you understand cellulite and the ways to deal with it. He can also provide guidance and advice about other treatments that work along with Cellulaze. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Rubinstein, call 845-863-1772 today.
