Cellulite Treatment Before and After: Amazing Results

If you are bothered by the appearance of dimpled-looking skin, commonly known as cellulite, you should check out these cellulite treatments before and after results.

One of the most common goals for women (and some men) is to get rid of cellulite. This article will help you decide which treatments may be the most beneficial to help you minimize the appearance of cellulite in the body. 

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite is a fat deposit underneath the skin that causes dimpled-looking flesh. Cellulite is commonly found on the buttocks or thighs but can appear anywhere on the body. It is known as “orange peel skin” or “cottage cheese skin” and affects about 90% of women and 10% of men. 

Cellulite can happen at any weight and is not your fault.  Fibrous bands that hold the skin down to the underlying muscle sometimes get thick.  This causes a dimple. The only way to really get rid of these dimples is to cut or destroy the fibrous band. Read more below.

What Causes Cellulite?

There are many factors that cause cellulite. Weight gain is commonly assumed to be a large cause of cellulite, but this is not necessarily true. A majority of physically-fit women also experience cellulite. Therefore, weight is not a determining factor for the production of cellulite. 

Hormones can play a large part in the appearance of cellulite. In fact, men who are transitioning and take estrogen to develop cellulite. Aging may also contribute to the production of cellulite due to skin laxity. Collagen production begins to decrease, which may cause cellulite to form. The skin will be less firm and begin to sag.

Genetics may also contribute to the appearance of cellulite. Certain genes affect whether or not a person is more likely to develop cellulite. These genes can target collagen production, hormone levels, elasticity, and rate of lymphatic drainage. These are all factors that contribute to the production of cellulite. 

What factors contribute to cellulite?

There are many factors that can collectively contribute to cellulite. Fatty deposits underneath the skin can contribute to cellulite. The root cause of cellulite is due to the fibrous bands that connect the skin to the muscle fascia. When the fibro-septal bands thicken and contract, they pull down on the skin and create a dimpled-looking appearance. 

Skin laxity, or loose skin, can contribute to cellulite. Skin laxity is usually seen as lines on the back of the thighs. Fat may accumulate underneath these lines and contribute to the skin’s dimpled appearance. Skin laxity is not cellulite but may prevent smooth-looking skin and contribute to what we collectively call cellulite. 

Home Remedies vs. Professional Cellulite Treatment

There are two ways to attempt to minimize or remove the appearance of cellulite; while most people will attempt to reduce or remove cellulite with home remedies, some people will consider certain cosmetic procedures that are proven to remove cellulite from the body. 

Here is a list of certain treatments that are available to aid with the removal of cellulite. 

At-Home Treatments:

• Healthy Diet and Exercise
  • A healthy diet and exercise may help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Decreasing body fat can help to achieve this goal. However, this treatment is not effective for all body types. Plenty of physically-fit individuals continue to experience cellulite. Some have suggested these at-home treatments but in our experience, they don’t work well:
    • Apple cider vinegar – Claim: Contains probiotics and amino acids which help to detoxify. Toxins are known to contribute to cellulite.
    • Cayenne pepper – Claim: May increase the body’s metabolism and prevent additional cellulite from forming.
    • Coconut oil – Claim: Should be consumed and directly applied to the skin for increased results. Moisturizing helps increase the suppleness of the skin and targets cellulite
    • Gelatin – Claim: The reduction of gelatin in foods is rumored to increase the amount of cellulite in the human body. Consuming more gelatin helps build amino acids that are needed to target cellulite.
    • Caffeine – Claim: Caffeine is an anti-inflammatory and is proven to increase the body’s ability to burn fat.
    • Hydration – Claim: Provides the skin with a smoother look as water is known to increase circulation, decrease inflammation, and remove toxins from the body.
• Lymphatic drainage
  • Research shows that lymphatic drainage is effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite. Massaging helps to target, soften, and loosen fascia which is known to cause cellulite. Foam rolling, myofascial massages, and dry brushing are all effective forms of treatment that help with lymphatic drainage. However, data in scientific journals have shown that dry brushing, for example, doesn’t have any effect on the appearance of cellulite.
    • Myofascial massages – Claims to soften, break down, and smooth fascia.
    • Foam rolling – Claims to improve circulation, prevents collagen and elastin from breaking down, and softens fascia.
    • Dry brushing– Claims to improve circulation, promotes cell renewal, reduces inflammation, and helps the lymphatic system release and drain toxins.
• Exfoliation
  • Exfoliation claims to increase circulation and promote lymphatic drainage, but these claims have not been proven scientifically. 
    • Body scrubs – Green tea or coffee scrubs may be beneficial as caffeine is an anti-inflammatory that is known to break down fat.
    • Dry brushing – Great form of exfoliation that increases circulation and removes toxins from the body
• Cellulite creams
  • Cellulite creams are readily available but there is no proof that creams work to target cellulite. Keeping the body moisturizer provides the skin with a smoother look which can help minimize the appearance of cellulite. Many creams claim “amazing cellulite treatment before and after results.” Be wary when using cellulite creams, do your research, and consult your doctor.

• Liposuction – Invasive treatment to remove fat around a targeted area. This treatment does not always help reduce cellulite as it does not target the fibers that are pulling on the skin and creating cellulite.
• Cellfina – An FDA-approved and minimally-invasive procedure that is proven to reduce cellulite and guarantees that the dimples treated will not come back for 5 years at least. The device cuts the fibrous bands underneath the skin to relieve the tension that causes cellulite.
• Velashape – Non-invasive body contouring treatment that helps tone and contours the body to remove cellulite. Results do not last long as it does not target the underlying cause of cellulite.
• Cellulaze – This device is not being used very much anymore as the results for cellulite reduction were not as predictable as hoped.

Why Don’t Home Remedies for Cellulite Work?

There are plenty of home remedies that can be found on the web. However, home remedies do not work to cure cellulite. These treatments do not work because they do not cut the fascial bands that exist underneath the skin. The only proven way to effectively remove cellulite is by cutting the bands in order to relieve pressure and smooth out the skin. 

Why Do Certain Cosmetic Procedures not Work?

All of the non-invasive cosmetic products listed above only provide temporary results for the appearance of cellulite mostly due to causing skin swelling for a few days. Patients should do their research when deciding if they want an invasive or minimally-invasive treatment method. 

Many cosmetic procedures do not target the underlying cause of cellulite. Cellulite is caused by the fibro-septal bands pulling down on the skin to create a dimpled appearance. The only treatment that targets the fibro-septal bands is Cellfina. This procedure is proven to give the longest-lasting results out of all the procedures. 

Cellfina is less expensive, longer-lasting, and has fewer risks and side effects than Cellulaze. It is important to consult with your physician to determine which procedure is best for you. 

It is recommended that you do your research when considering various treatments to help reduce cellulite. Cosmetic procedures are proven to be more effective when they are used in conjunction with other treatments. Read on to find out more about which treatments are best used in conjunction to help produce long-lasting results that minimize the appearance of cellulite. 

Cellfina

Cellfina is the only FDA-approved minimally-invasive cosmetic treatment that is known to reduce the appearance of cellulite and is guaranteed for at least 5 years. 

The device targets the structural cause of cellulite and cuts the fibrous bands beneath the skin. Fibrous bands act like a rubber band under tension and pull on the skin to create a dimpled-looking appearance. Once cut, the skin is no longer under tension and smooths itself out. 

Benefits of Cellfina

• Minimally-invasive
• Short procedure time
• Little downtime required
• Long-lasting results

Cons of Cellfina

• Expensive
• Minor pain
• Soreness
• Bruising
• Tenderness
• Drainage of anesthetic fluid from the treatment area
• Red dots from the poke to release the cellulite band
• Swelling

What is the Cellfina Procedure Like?

The Cellfina device is relatively small, about the size of a smartphone. It is minimally-invasive and requires little to no downtime. The device does not use laser, heat, sound, or radio waves. 

The patient should discuss their needs and goals with their provider. An individualized plan will be created for the patient that addresses those needs. It is important to discuss medical history with a healthcare provider prior to the procedure. During the consultation, the patient should also ask any questions that they have. 

The Cellfina procedure generally begins with the provider applying a local anesthetic, generally a fluid consisting of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine to the treatment area. The area will also be marked so the doctor will have a plan of action to follow throughout the procedure. 

The doctor will then pass the Cellfina device over the targeted area. The device uses suction to grab the skin and slides a small blade underneath the skin to cut the fibrous bands that cause cellulite. Once the fibrous bands are cut, the pressure is released, and the skin begins to smoothen out. 

The entire procedure generally takes about one hour. Some results appear immediately, but final results may take up to three months to show. Although results typically last approximately five years, they can last longer. The provider may recommend alternative procedures to use in conjunction with Cellfina to ensure that the lines from skin laxity are also addressed. 

Cellulite Treatment Before and After

The Cellfina treatment is proven to improve the appearance of cellulite for a minimum of five years. Here are some cellulite treatments Cellfina before and after photos of that show amazing results. 

The Future of Cellulite Treatments

There are a plethora of treatments available, but treatment effects are usually temporary. Cellfina is the only FDA-approved cellulite treatment proven to offer amazing cellulite treatment before and after results. 

Advancements have been made toward the treatment of cellulite and are continually-researched today. Many providers recommend that patients use Cellfina in conjunction with other treatments in order to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. Doing so helps promote long-lasting results and may prevent new cellulite from forming in the body.

Other treatments that are usually recommended are injectables and fillers which help to firm and smooth the skin, such as:

• Collagenase – A new injectable that is coming to the market in 2020. This injectable attempts to dissolve cellulite by disrupting the fibrous bands beneath the skin. 
• Biostimulatory fillers – This helps fill in lines around targeted areas which helps smoothen the skin and reduces the appearance of cellulite.
  • Sculptra – can add volume to divots around the hips and buttocks, can also be injected to fill outlines around the buttocks. This treatment is great for long-term results because it helps build collagen and fat around these areas, which can prevent cellulite from occurring.
  • Radiesse – This is a collagen stimulator that helps the body’s process of generating collagen to help tighten and firm the skin. This treatment helps to smoothen out wrinkles and folds which reduces the appearance of cellulite. 
  • Renuva – An injectable treatment that can help slim and contour the body. This treatment helps reduce, tighten, and lift problem areas which diminish the appearance of cellulite in the body. 
• Skin-tightening modalities – These minimally-invasive treatments are usually used to help contour the body but are also known to help firm and tighten the skin.
  • BodyTite – Can be used to reduce bulges, tighten skin, aid with fat reduction, and smooth the skin.
  • Morpheus8

Although there is currently no way to prevent cellulite, cellulite treatments will continue to improve as advancements in medical research are continued. The best, and most long-term, a treatment that providers recommend is Cellfina, as the device targets the fibrous bands known to cause cellulite. Many doctors recommend that Cellfina be used in conjunction with other treatments to increase the effectiveness and provide long-lasting results. Speak to your doctor for more information.