CELLULITE

Despite its name, cellulite is not an inflammation of the cells. The term refers to deposits of fat that are caught between the fibres that hold the deeper layers of tissue to the skin and push against the subcutaneous connective tissue, giving the skin a highly characteristic irregular, bumpy appearance. Cellulite affects mainly the area of the thighs and buttocks, though it may also appear on the abdomen, calves and arms.

Cellulite occurs more frequently among women because their subcutaneous fat is not as deep as men’s and their skin is thinner. The occurrence of cellulite is determined by a number of factors, including heredity, gender, and percentage of body fat, age, thickness of the skin, sedentary lifestyle, inadequate hydration, poor food habits, and smoking. Furthermore, since it may appear at puberty, after pregnancy or after taking contraceptives, it may also be affected by hormones.

Over the years, there have been many treatments for getting rid of cellulite. Too often, though, they were scams or involved magical thinking and, despite the exorbitant costs, were not very successful.

The treatment of cellulite calls for a comprehensive approach and not just one treatment. Eating a balanced diet, reducing consumption of salt and caffeine and increasing exercise will all help in the overall treatment of cellulite.

At the clinic, we offer various modalities for cellulite treatment: Venus Legacy™, VelaShape™ and Sculptra®. The synergistic combination of these technologies in the same protocol leads to better results.

One of the most popular protocols of treatment here at the Clinic combines the Velashape™ and the Venus Legacy™.

  • The Venus Legacy™ is a non-invasive treatment that combines Radio Frequency (RF) and Magnetic Pulses. This unique combination has the ability to penetrate deeply, comfortably, and safely into the skin to improve blood circulation and oxygen, vitamin and mineral delivery to tissues while stimulating fibroblasts for better production of collagen and elastin.
  • The VelaShapecombines infrared light and radiofrequency and rollers for vacuum tissue massage:
    • The radiofrequency improves the intracellular oxygen diffusion, by heating the deep adipose tissues.
    • The infrared light improves skin elasticity and heats subcutaneous fat while protecting the skin
    • The vacuum tissue massage improves the smoothness of the skin, for a better transfer of the light energy and the radiofrequency to the deeper tissues.

Final results will show a possibly significant improvement in skin quality in terms of firmness, elasticity and texture, a circumference reduction, on arms, thighs, buttocks and abdomen.

Treatments, performed by our experienced laser technicians, last for 60 to 90 minutes and have to be repeated weekly for a total of 8 sessions. There is little discomfort, no complications and no visible signs. Afterwards, results need to be maintained by a strict protocol that will include 3 or 4 sessions every year.

Because of its non-invasive nature, as all the tightening technologies on the market, it is essential to start the treatments at the first signs of skin laxity or cellulite. Results are then much more impressive.

An injectable product that has been used for many years for facial rejuvenation is now increasingly popular in body contouring and cellulite control. L-poly-lactic acid or Sculptra® restores volume and firmness to several areas of the body, while reducing the irregularities and dimples caused by the cellulite, especially in the buttocks and thighs.

Here at the Clinic, Sculptra® is always injected by the doctor, in the areas of cellulite previously identified by a careful examination. It usually takes 3-4 treatment sessions, 6 to 8 weeks apart, to get the desired results. These results will often last from 2 to 3 years and will require occasional maintenance sessions.

The Sculptracan be used in combination with the Venus Legacy™ and VelaShapetechnologies for its direct effect on superficial irregularities and dimples caused by the cellulite.