Smoothing Away
Cellulite From The Inside

Troubled by cellulite? You are not alone. The dimpled “orange peel” skin that is distinctive of cellulite affects many people – even those who are otherwise slim. Cellulite occurs when fat beneath the skin pushes against connective tissue, causing the skin above it to pucker. Cellulite can affect anyone, but is more common in women, especially around the stomach and thighs. There are many factors that contribute to the development and build-up of cellulite:

• Hormones such as oestrogen, insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin
• Genes that affect metabolism, distribution of fat and circulation
• Diets high in fat, carbohydrates and salt, and low in water and fibre
• Smoking or being too sedentary
• Clothing and underwear that are too tight and restrict blood flow

Breaking fat

Many treatments have been put forward to combat the age-old problem of cellulite, from weight loss, creams and massages to non-invasive heat and laser treatments. These make a difference, to varying extents.

While weight loss is the most beneficial for cellulite reduction, there is a limit to how much it can diminish cellulite’s appearance, especially in stubborn areas.

Creams and massages also superficially improve cellulite but do not get to the root of the problem – the connective tissues deep in the skin layers. Non-invasive treatments, on the other hand, have seen limited success – but require frequent maintenance to sustain results.

Contrary to popular misconceptions, conventional liposuction is not always recommended for cellulite treatment. If the surgeon removes too much superficial fat, liposuction may actually worsen the appearance of the cellulite because it removes the foundational cushion of fat that lies just under the skin. This has the reverse effect of causing additional dimpling.

Breaking new ground

One new approach seeing good results is VASERsmooth™. This is a specialised form of VASER Liposelection, a third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction. VASERsmooth™ requires the latest VASER 2.2 machine with modifications. This minimallyinvasive treatment gets underneath the skin to quickly and effectively treat cellulite using ultrasound waves delivered via solid metal probes known as cannulas.

A special ultrasound cannula is inserted into the skin through a tiny incision. Ultrasound energy then accurately and selectively breaks apart the fatty tissue and fibrous bands underneath the skin without harming nearby nerves and blood vessels. This releases the tissues that pull down on the skin, ironing out surface dimples from the inside.

An added benefit is that the ultrasonic energy stimulates collagen production to boost the firmness and elasticity of the skin. This results in a tauter and smoother appearance.

This procedure can be performed under local anaesthesia with little or no discomfort. Most areas can be treated within a couple of hours. Patients usually return to work within two days, with results immediately noticeable and improving over several months. In addition, VASERsmooth™ can be performed alone or with VASER liposuction to remove fat elsewhere.

VASERsmooth™ advantages:

• Single-session cellulite treatment
• Smooth, predictable results
• Improved skin tightening
• Fast recovery
• Reduced post-operative pain, bruising and swelling