Cellulite

Submitted by Cathy Bettencourt, RN Asst. Mgr Beach Plum Spa & Med-Spa

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite occurs when the waste removal process slows down. Our muscles are wrapped in a layer of fatty connective tissue which contains round cells padding the muscle. The round cells are bathed in fluid and held together by a network of fibers. Water, blood, and lymphatic fluid constantly circulate through the cells bringing oxygen and nutrients to the tissue and cleansing them. So when this system slows the connective tissues become saturated, the area thickens, hardens, and forms immovable pockets that bulge and puff up.

What causes cellulite?

There are many reasons for cellulite formation; curiously enough obesity is the least of them. Genetics, race, and lifestyle all play a role in development of cellulite. Weight gain, hormonal imbalances, aging, poor lymphatic drainage, unhealthy diet, weak muscle tone, and a sedentary lifestyle all impact the worsening of cellulite.

What products help reduce cellulite?

There are a few. One innovative ingredient is Glaucine-Caffeine Complex found in some treatment lotions including GM Collin LipoFitness body products. This product detoxifies with organic green tea and ginger extracts and preserves skins structure with lotus extract. It also contains biovectorized complex to help reduce the appearance of cellulite and prevent future formation. When used regularly this will target fat maturation and alter the cell reversion simultaneously improving the appearance of cellulite.

What new cellulite treatments are available?

Massage is a great treatment combined with a healthy lifestyle, diet and toned muscles. Detox massage and lymphatic drainage massage can help improve the circulation to the muscles and tissue surrounding them. It can also mobilize the fluid that gets trapped in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system does not have a pump like our cardiac system. So it needs help to move. The more active you are the better the flow in the lymphatic system. Massage can open the channels and help move the fluid out of the lymphatic system to be excreted by the body.

Radio-frequency and infrared light heat the adipose tissue to increase the fat cells’ metabolism and shrink them. Radio-frequency lasers such as Accent XL laser uses radio-frequency technology to do just that. It works by heating up the skin and sub-dermal fat to cause skin contraction. The machine works on both the superficial crapey skin and remodeling the tissues underneath to improve the appearance of cellulite. Radio-frequency assists in moving the connective tissue around the muscles and assists in the building of collagen and elastin. The effects are seen over a series of 4 to 6 treatments with a maintenance treatment every 6 months. The key to this is maintaining hydration from the inside and out.

Then there are cold lasers such as the Zerona. This is a “fat melting” laser. This laser is painless and actually liquefies the fat in the fat cell and then allows the body to excrete the fat. The lymphatic system will remove the fat naturally. As stated before, mobility is key for the lymphatic system so exercise and lymphatic massage are key to the success of Zerona treatments. These treatments are every other day for 6 to 12 treatments, depending on your needs. The average inch loss is 3.5 but the range can go much higher – we have seen in our practice as much as a 15 inch loss. The target is soft fatty tissue which is often associated with increasing the appearance of cellulite. As the inches come off, the skin tightens creating a smoother look. Zerona does have restrictions and a plan to follow to achieve the optimum results.

What can I do now to help?

• Make permanent lifestyle changes by detoxifying the body and watching the fatty food intake.
• Avoid excess estrogen, crash dieting, rapid weight gain, nicotine, and stress.
• Sufficient exercise is one of the most effective ways to stave off cellulite. If your job requires a lot of sitting, get up and move hourly.
• Limit high sugar foods; sugar is a culprit that promotes inflammation in the body.
• Enjoy a healthy diet including fresh foods, fruit and vegetables, and whole grains along with sufficient water intake and moderate exercise.
• Maintaining the structural support to the skin is important – avoid over exposure to sun, maintain hydration, use moisturizers and cellulite treatment products to help support the elastin and collagen in the skin.

What is the bottom line?

Not one thing alone will make a difference. It is a combination of therapies. Start by detoxing the body with diet, exercise, and detox massage.

• Get moving. The more you move, the more the lymphatic system moves.
• Hydrate. Remember, this system is full of fluid; to keep it moving you need water.
• Use a topical product to improve the appearance of the cellulite.
• Receive a series of radio-frequency laser treatments and maintain them with follow up appointments.
• If you have excess fat or inches to lose, give the Zerona a try.

The combination of all these therapies will leave you looking forward to bathing suit season.