Can You Remove Cellulite With Liposuction?

Can You Remove Cellulite With Liposuction?

Did you know that cellulite affects between 80% and 90% of adult women? And it’s often not the result of overeating or a lack of exercise.

Frequently referred to as ‘orange peel skin’ or ‘cottage cheese,’ cellulite does not discriminate. It can affect folks of all shapes and sizes.

While it may seem like you could just go on a diet, exercise vigorously and/or remove cellulite with liposuction, it’s not that simple. That’s because cellulite isn’t your regular garden variety fat.

What Is Cellulite?

While you’re likely to find cellulite on those who are already carrying excess fat, it shows up on people who are slim and fit as well. It’s more common after the age of 25, but can also affect teenagers.

Of course, eating a healthy diet and exercising are essential for feeling good and keeping the body in optimal condition. They do nothing to eliminate cellulite though. That’s because cellulite is essentially a form of fat that’s trapped in the sub dermal layer of the skin. One of the key ways it differs from regular fat is that the body is unable to process it as fuel.

Cellulite is the result of an interaction between the connective tissue in the layer below the surface of the skin, and the layer of fat beneath that. Strangely enough, women’s fat cells and connective tissues are arranged vertically so that when the fat cells protrude into the skin layer, it presents as cellulite. Men’s tissue has more of a criss-cross structure which seems to explain their lower risk of developing cellulite.

What Causes It?

There’s no one specific reason people, and especially women, develop cellulite. Some of it is just the genetic cards we’re all dealt. How fat is distributed beneath the skin, circulation, ethnicity, and rate of metabolism are all genetic factors.

Hormone are also likely players. Estrogen, insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin are crucial in the production of cellulite.

Then, of course, there is aging and menopause. With less estrogen in the body, fat cells enlarge and blood flow to the connective tissues decreases. This less effective circulation results in lower collagen production. All of these factors join together to weaken the connective tissues, decrease elasticity in the skin, and increase the chance of cellulite developing.

Is It Possible to Remove Cellulite With Liposuction?

Not really.

Liposuction is great for getting rid of excess fat. During the procedure, fat cells are removed from the body to create a sleeker contour. The remaining cells, however, can push against the skin and threaten the structural integrity. Liposuction also doesn’t address the issue of those vertical connective tissues.

Many doctors and dermatologists may try topical treatments first to reduce the visibility of cellulite. Creams can tighten the skin to make it firmer and smoother, while adding moisture to reduce the appearance of cellulite. The effects typically don’t last long and the creams must be applied every day.

What is most effective is treatments that deliver laser energy beneath the surface of the skin. This thickens and strengthens the lower layers of skin to increase elasticity. Meanwhile, the thermal energy that’s developed releases the vertical bands so they don’t pull or pucker against the fat cells beneath.

The result?

Skin that lies smoother and flatter to eliminate dimpling. Voilà!

Are You At Battle With Cellulite?

Even if you can’t remove cellulite with liposuction, you CAN win the war against it with laser therapies.

Let’s get started.

Contact us today for your free consultation. And regain some of that smoother skin of your youth – just in time for summer.