Frequently Asked Questions
What is cellulite?
What causes cellulite?
Is there a cure for cellulite?
Do you have to be obese to have cellulite?
What is cellulite?
Cellulite is the general term used for superficial pockets of fat that is trapped within the body. These pockets cause dimpling or an "orange peel" appearance.
Sometimes the fat cells expand so much that they cause the collagen fibers around them to bend causing puckering, or dimpling of the skin above. There are three layers of fat found in the body. Cellulite is located in the layer of fat closest to the skin. There fat cells are enclosed in pockets formed by collagen fibers.
Sometimes the fat cells squeeze on the connective tissues (collagen fibers) and there is little room for the lymphatic drainage system to relieve this build-up of fluids, fats, and toxins. Fat in this layer does not respond well to diet or exercise. Fibrous strands can cause performing successful liposuction to be difficult in this layer of fat. Also, hormones can be responsible for the accumulation of fat in our cellulite layer.
The next two layers of fat are not structured. The fat cells are not separated by connective tissue. The fat in these layers is also, to some degree genetically influenced. The big difference is that the fat in these layers is also easily coaxed by lifestyle and dietary changes.
Why should we care about having cellulite? In the competitive world we live in, how we look and feel about ourselves can sometimes dictate important aspects of life, including love, employment and personal friendships.
What causes cellulite?
Cellulite occurs in the fat layer just beneath the skin. Fatcells become trapped between the skin and the underlying muscle. There are many things that can cause cellulite including: poor diet, lack of exercise, poor lymphatic flow, inadequate water intake, hormones and heredity - to name a few.
In order for cellulite reduction to occur, one or more of these factors must be met. First, the fat cells in the subterraneous layer of fat must shrink significantly. Secondly, the fat cells must become separated from each other and have enough space between them for proper lymphatic drainage to occur. The body’s ability to drain unwanted toxins and lymphatic waste from the body must improve, reducing undesirable swelling in those areas of the body. Third, the connective tissues must stretch and become elongated, thereby improving skin tone and elasticity. Lastly, hormonal conditions must stop fluctuating and stabilize, reaching a better hormonal balance.
Is there a cure for cellulite?
No, there is NO CURE for cellulite. Not even liposuction, a costly and sometimes dangerous surgery, can cure cellulite. However the Dermosonic� method of treatment is quickly becoming considered the most effective treatment available for REDUCING THE APPEARANCE of cellulite resulting in a firmer more toned look.
Do you have to be obese to have cellulite?
No, in fact, the majority of women in post-adolescence have cellulite to some degree. Cellulite occurs in overweigt, average and thin women.
Stage 1
- Excess fluids
- Jiggly, loose appearance of skin
- Dimples, visual only when pinched, pressed or standing
Stage 2
- Large areas of excess fluids
- Orange peel skin appearance
- Visible dimpling
- Minor pitting and induration
Stage 3
- Cottage cheese skin appearance
- Multiple, visible lumps under the skin (micro-nodules) and visible pitting and induration
- Moderate to severe dimpling
Stage 4
- Mattress-like skin appearance
- Large, multiple, hardened lumps under skin surface (macro-nodules) that may be painful when touched
- Major pitting and induration