Ah, cellulite. If you asked any woman they’d probably talk about their loathsome relationship with this naturally-occurring skin condition.

The truth is, cellulite is completely normal. It’s simply part of being human and in reality, it would probably be easier to just accept it. 

But if the appearance of cellulite really bothers you and affects your overall self-confidence, the great news is that there are skin treatments to reduce it.  

But before you dive in head first, here are 8 facts about the reality of cellulite removal and its effectiveness.

What Causes Cellulite?

Cellulite is extremely common and not only affects women the world over – even men are pre-disposed to this dimpled skin effect. 

Cellulite is basically just normal fat deposits sitting under the surface of your skin. The more fat your body carries, the more dimpled your skin will appear. This is because the underlying fat pushes out against connective tissue, causing your skin to dimple.

Women are more likely to carry more body fat as their bodies prepare for childbirth after puberty. Hence the reason why women tend to have more cellulite than men. 

This being said, you are more prone to developing cellulite due to: 

• Hormonal fluctuations
• A higher percentage of body fat 
• A poor diet or yo-yo dieting 
• A slow metabolism 
• A lack of exercise 
• Dehydration
• The thickness and color of your skin 

Despite the fact that it’s a completely natural part of any human body, women have been on the hunt for effective cellulite treatments for decades. 

The Facts About Cellulite Removal 

Before committing to a treatment plan for cellulite removal, it’s worthwhile understanding some of the cold, hard facts. Here are 8 important realities about removing cellulite:

1. You Need to Be a Good Candidate 

It’s actually far more common than not for most women to have cellulite- after all, a certain percentage of body fat is healthy. 

However, too much body fat can exacerbate the appearance of cellulite. So if you’re looking to reduce its appearance, you’ll need to be a good candidate for treatment to be effective.

You are generally considered a good candidate for cellulite removal if:

• You are currently a healthy weight and not significantly overweight
• Your health is in good standing
• You have realistic expectations about treatment i.e. cellulite removal is not always a permanent fix
• You understand there are risks involved in some procedures

It’s also worth noting that cellulite removal treatments generally work best in conjunction with regular exercise and a healthy diet.

2. Not All Treatment Options Are Permanent 

One of the most important realities to keep in mind is that there are no cellulite removal treatments that offer permanent results. While there are a number of treatments options on the market, none have yet to offer results that last longer than a period of 2 years.

Treatment effectiveness also depends on the candidate i.e. the amount of cellulite to be removed, how well they maintain their results, their diet, and more.

3. Laser Therapy Is Popular and Effective

Laser therapy treatments, also referred to as radiofrequency, offers great results in cellulite reduction. These treatments range from light therapy to laser fiber treatment.

Basically, they both work to break up tough bands of connective tissue beneath the skin, which loosens the skin dimpling effect of cellulite.

These laser procedures also boost collagen growth, aid in skin tightening, increase blood flow and reduce liquid retention. This helps with the overall appearance of the skin, too.

Most cellulite laser treatments offer effectiveness which lasts approximately one year.

4. Cellulite Massage Is the Real Deal 

Cellulite massage is based on the idea that massaging the problem areas helps to reduce liquid retention and inflammation in the area. This, in turn, increases blood flow and reduces the build-up of fluid which can worsen the appearance of cellulite.

This massage treatment for cellulite is known as endermologie or lipomassage and is a technical massage treatment. Low-pressure suction kneads the skin between rotating rollers, breaking up connective tissue and smoothing the skin.  

However, this treatment offers a short-term solution to cellulite reduction and only lasts a few months at a time.

5. Shockwave Therapy Is Worth a Try 

The is the same type of shockwave therapy used to treat kidney stones- but never fear, it is a non-invasive form of cellulite treatment. It’s generally spaced out over a period of 6 weeks, where shockwave treatments are offered twice a week.

This low-energy therapy offers short-term results which last for up to 6 months at a time, depending on fitness levels and diet maintenance.  

6. Weight Loss and Exercise Will Reduce Cellulite 

There really is no magic pill to help you lose weight and achieve the dream body you’re looking for. The reality is that diet and exercise is the only way to get there.

When it comes to cellulite, diet and exercise is the number one combination to treat its appearance.

The premise is simple. The more defined and toned your muscles are, the thinner the layer of fat that sits under the skin. Ultimately, this means less cellulite.

It’s recommended that you add a mixture of cardio and strength training to your exercise regime. Try lifting weights twice a week to tone muscle.

7. Subcision Treatment May Last the Longest 

Out of all the treatments on the market, Subcision treatment is known to show excellent results which tend to last the longest- up to two years!

It’s a minimally invasive treatment where a cosmetic surgeon marks the problem area, injects numbing solution and uses a tiny blade to loosen connective tissue. This is the connective tissue which pushes onto the skin, causing the dimpling effect.

Close to 20-30 cellulite dimples are treated per session, which usually lasts 1-hour at a time.

8. Be Wary of Topical Products and Their Effectiveness

There are a plethora of topical creams and products on the market today which claim to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Many of these products contain ingredients such as caffeine, theophylline, and aminophylline, but aren’t always effective on their own.

To truth is that these topical products offer little to no benefit when used exclusively as a treatment for cellulite. They should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and plenty of water.

Find Effective Cellulite Treatment with Better Off

If you’re in search of truly effective cellulite removal, then Better Off is your go-to. With the expertise of our team and state-of-the-art Velashape machine, say goodbye to this dimples.

Contact us today to book in your appointment.