Cellulite

Cellulite Overview

When it comes to looking and feeling your best, cellulite can be an extremely frustrating and confusing cosmetic concern. For some women, cellulite can start appearing on the body early in life. For others, it sneaks up on us as we age. We may catch a glimpse in the mirror of embarrassing dimples on what was once tout, smooth skin. Even people who follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly can get cellulite, so the big question is, what causes cellulite? And more importantly, how can you get rid of cellulite?

At Coastal Aesthetics, we understand how cellulite can negatively impact the way you look and feel about yourself. We are dedicated to easing your concerns and helping you achieve the body of your dreams. That is why we are proud to offer a variety of body contouring and skin renewal treatments aimed at easing the look of cellulite.

What is cellulite?

Simply put, cellulite is the buildup of fat underneath the skin. However, it is a little more complex because the exact mechanism of cellulite is not known. Cellulite is believed to occur when fat tissue connects with other tissue in a way that causes dimpling of the skin. This occurs below the epidermis in the dermis and fibrous septae, located above subcutaneous fat. 

This means cellulite is not actually fat. It has more to do with how the collagen fibers between the skin and muscle separate the subcutaneous fat tissue into pockets. During the aging process since skin becomes thinner and loses elasticity, the rippled connective tissues become more noticeable over time.

Natural. Conservative. Beauty.

What causes cellulite?

There are many factors that can be correlated to cellulite formation. Things like loss of collagen production and decreased blood circulation that naturally occur with aging can contribute to an increased appearance of cellulite. In women especially, changes in estrogen levels exacerbate these changes. Cellulite may also be caused by the following:

  • Hormones
  • Poor diet
  • An unhealthy lifestyle
  • Accumulated toxins
  • Genetics
  • Weight gain
  • Inactivity
  • Menopause
  • Pregnancy

Who gets cellulite?

First of all, most women have cellulite somewhere on their body, so if you are frustrated with it and seeking treatments to get rid of cellulite, you are not alone. It is a struggle the majority of women understand, from their 20’s to their 50’s. Most women start to notice cellulite in their mid 20’s or after puberty.

The reason cellulite is so frustrating is because it does not depend on body type or weight. Women at any weight can get cellulite and some women are more predisposed to it than others. Even those who exercise regularly think increasing their workouts and restricting their diets can get rid of cellulite, it likely won’t. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case.

Why does cellulite look the way it does?

Cellulite looks different on different people. For some, it is mild dimpling on areas like the thighs and butt. For others, it is a more serious concern because the tissue hardens and becomes more visible and difficult to manage.

There are three types of cellulite:

Flaccid Cellulite (Soft Cellulite)

This form is the most common. It can be identified by sagging skin with a wavy, cottage cheese or orange peel appearance. It appears in areas that accumulate and store fat, like the thighs, butt, hips, stomach, and arms.

Compact Cellulite (Hard Cellulite)

This form is caused by skin irregularities that create grooves in the thighs, arms, stomach and hips. It also clings to muscle and becomes firm and even sensitive to touch.

Edematous Cellulite

This type, while less common, tends to be more difficult to treat due to a combination of fluid retention and poor blood circulation. It typically exists in the lower part of the body, like the thighs and knees. Compact and edematous cellulite can pose slight health risks because they may lead to tissue hardening, which may cause discomfort and circulation problems.

What can I do to ease the look of cellulite?

The best thing you can do to ease cellulite is maintain a healthy body weight and stay active. Increasing the ratio of muscle to fat through diet and exercise can help the skin look firmer and smoother. As a result, cellulite may be less apparent. In addition to cardiovascular workouts, strength training, especially exercises that target the thighs and glutes, may also help diminish the appearance. However, despite your best efforts, the aging process and genetics can make it difficult to stave off stubborn pockets of fat.

Can cellulite be surgically removed?

Surgical procedures that can help reduce the look of cellulite, but the results are not predictable. While it may be improved, fat will accumulate over time due to aging, diet, exercise, and hormonal changes. Plus, even the most advanced surgery can not fully erase the dimpled appearance of cellulite. 

Common surgeries like liposuction can worsen the look of cellulite.

Can you get rid of cellulite?

While it’s nearly impossible to get rid of cellulite completely on areas like your legs, buttocks and stomach, there are non-surgical treatment options that are effective in easing the look of cellulite. When diet and exercise no longer give you the physique you desire, or age starts to make cellulite more visible, you may begin a good candidate for cellulite reduction treatments.

At Coastal Aesthetics, we offer Accent Prime, TruSculptID and TruSculpt Flex, three revolutionary, total body-contouring systems. Accent Prime and TruSculptID work by altering soft tissues to reduce cellulite and TruSculpt Flex works by improving muscle tone. These treatment services improve stubborn cellulite and do wonders at tighething skin.

How does Accent Prime work to ease the look of cellulite?

Accent Prime uses ultrasound technology to penetrate deep into the tissue, destroying and disrupting fat that has accumulated. The treatment also tightens skin, giving it a firmer, smoother appearance. Since it is a non-invasive treatment, it requires little to no downtime, making it appealing to our patients with active lifestyles.

The machine combines ultrasound and radiofrequency technologies to send continuous vibrations to the targeted areas. These vibrations and thermal energy disrupt fat cell membranes, which are flushed out of the body through the lymphatic system. This reduces the appearance and gives skin a smoother, tighter texture.

Accent Prime can be used anywhere on the body where there is cellulite, especially on the thighs, where it tends to be most prominent for women.

How does TruSculptID work to reduce cellulite?

TruSculptID employs innovative radio frequency (RF) technology applied through paddles placed on desired treatment areas, including the abdomen/flanks, chin, arms, thighs and legs. The painless paddles deliver deep heating to the fatty tissue beneath the skin, destroying fat cells (by about 24%) and tightening the skin.

How does TruSculpt Flex work to improve cellulite?

Safely using painless multi-directional electrical stimulation (MDS), TruSculpt Flex stimulates full muscle contractions that are more vigorous than you can achieve with physical exercise. Similar to the benefits of TruSculptID, TruSculpt Flex results in more youthful, firm skin and body contouring with increased muscle tone and mass. The look of a more defined silhouette lends itself to a reduced look of cellulite, especially in stubborn areas that are hard to target with exercise alone.

FAQs about Cellulite

The best candidates for procedures like Accent Prime and truSculptID are non-smokers who are not currently pregnant and have a BMI (body mass index) under 30. For optimal results, it helps if candidates follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen before seeking med spa services. When patients have a higher BMI and want to see more dramatic results, they may need to consider more invasive treatment options.

One of the reasons Accent Prime, truSculptID and truSculpt Flexare so popular for cellulite removal is that these procedures are painless. At Coastal Aesthetics, procedures can be done in-office while you relax comfortably in one of our treatment rooms. After the session is over, you may return to your normal activities with no downtime.

While patients do notice improvement after each treatment, the full results for cellulite treatments are seen over time and after several sessions.

While treatments like Accent Prime and truSculptID do permanently destroy fat cells, no procedure can permanently keep you from gaining weight in the future. It is important that patients maintain a healthy lifestyle with occasional maintenance treatments to enjoy the full benefits for years. You may also want to consider routine maintenance sessions to keep up your results.

Why choose Coastal Aesthetics for your cellulite concerns?

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At Coastal Aesthetics, patient satisfaction is our number one priority. We are committed to providing patients with the highest level of care and support, and we do everything we can to help them achieve their aesthetic goals. When it comes to treating cellulite, we rely on innovative technology that boasts proven results. If you are interested in exploring our cellulite removal treatments like Accent Prime, you can schedule a consultation online.

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