General benefits of anti-cellulite treatments
Cellulite is a metabolic disorder in adipose tissue. It is manifested by the accumulation of excess fat, combined with changes in microcirculation and lymphatic drainage in areas of the body located nearby. Venous blood and lymph stagnate, causing pronounced swelling of the subcutaneous fat. Externally, it appears in the form of tubercles. The second name of the pathology is gynoid lipodystrophy.
All procedures against cellulite are aimed at eliminating the causes of its appearance. They have the following effects:
- Acceleration of metabolism, in particular lipolysis.
- Normalization of blood circulation and lymph outflow in problem areas, as well as throughout the body.
- General tonic effect for the body.
- Stimulation of rapid elimination of metabolic products.
- Improved muscle tone.
- Opening of sweat and sebaceous glands, which has a beneficial effect on the appearance of the skin.
To achieve the best result, you need to know which procedures have the best anti-cellulite effect. It is believed that these are cosmetological techniques that can be injection, hardware and physiotherapeutic.
Injection treatments include mesotherapy, mesodissolution, hardware treatments include LPG massage, electrical stimulation, pressotherapy, and physiotherapeutic treatments include oxygen-ozone therapy, electrolipolysis, microcurrent and ultrasound therapy, and ultraphonophoresis.
Let's look at them in more detail.
Cellulite is a problem for women and cosmetologists
The appearance of unpleasant changes on the skin is usually associated with excess body weight. The triggering moments for the development of cellulite are teenage hormonal changes in the body of girls, pregnancy, lactation, and menopause. Intensive accumulation of fat in women is intended by nature itself, and thin skin cannot hide the lumpy structure of the fat layer.
To defeat cellulite, you need to know the “enemy” by sight
Based on the severity of skin defects, there are four stages of cellulite. If the ideal skin condition can be compared to a smooth peach, then the figurative classification of cellulite is as follows: “lemon peel, tangerine peel, orange peel and overripe grapefruit peel.”
Injection anti-cellulite procedures
Among all injection anti-cellulite treatment methods, mesotherapy and mesodissolution come first.
Mesotherapy is the introduction into the mesoderm (middle layer of skin) using injections of special drugs that help get rid of cellulite.
The following groups of medications used in this procedure are distinguished:
- Venotonics and angioprotectors. Strengthen the vascular wall, preventing increased capillary permeability and the development of edema of subcutaneous fat.
- Antispasmodics. These drugs dilate blood vessels, facilitating the outflow of venous blood.
- Eutrophics. These include hyaluronic acid, elastin, collagen. They strengthen the inner layers of the skin and make it stronger.
- Lipolytic enzymes. Accelerate the process of fat breakdown.
- Defibrosants. Medicines that destroy fibrous bridges in the area of cellulite deposits, making it easier to get rid of it.
Mesotherapy acts exclusively locally on problem areas of the body and combines well with other anti-cellulite procedures.
Mesodissolution is a type of mesotherapy. This method uses hypoosmolar solutions containing lipolytic enzymes.
The drug is injected directly into the subcutaneous fat. It contains less salts than fat cells, so it easily penetrates adipocytes. The volume of cells increases sharply, causing them to burst, and the contents enter the intercellular space, from where they are removed with the lymph flow. The content of lipolytic enzymes in the solution provides parallel rapid lipolysis.
Get rid of cellulite at home
To get rid of cellulite on your own at home, you need more than one week and more than one method. A set of procedures, conscious nutrition and training can overcome body irregularities. However, do not be upset, everything is possible with a strong desire. Here is a list of the most effective ways to get rid of cellulite at home.
Self-massage
Every day after a shower, perform a 15-20 minute massage. To be effective, apply anti-cellulite cream, gel or oil to your skin. Actively massage the skin areas affected by cellulite. Rub, pinch, pat the skin. Movements should be directed from bottom to top. It is better to perform it after a shower, when the skin is steamed. After just two weeks of such daily procedures, the appearance of cellulite will significantly decrease, and along with it the volume of the body.
Vacuum massage
Another simple, inexpensive method to get rid of cellulite is a vacuum home massage. To carry it out, you will need jars for vacuum massage, massage oil, as well as time and patience. Using a vacuum jar is more than easy. Apply the oil to your skin and attach the jar by squeezing the pump slightly. Next, start moving the jar along the massage lines. As you can see, there is nothing complicated. However, this method of getting rid of cellulite has one “But”. With a strong vacuum, bruises appear on the skin, so while the technique has not yet been perfected, try to attach the jar, only slightly sucking the skin.
Wraps
A common and easy way to reduce the appearance of cellulite. For it you will need cling film, a wrapping agent, which you can buy in the store or prepare at home yourself. Recipes for wraps can be varied, with blue clay, mustard, pepper, seaweed. Apply the prepared product to areas with “orange peel” and wrap with film. Try to insulate these areas by wearing warm clothes or covering yourself with a warm blanket. Different recipes require their own time for the procedure, on average it is 30-40 minutes.
Baths for weight loss
With the help of weight loss baths you can lose extra pounds and centimeters and get rid of cellulite. The key to effectiveness lies in correct application. The water in the bathroom should not exceed 40 degrees, and when using aggressive components, it should be reduced to 33 degrees. In baths for weight loss, you can use fairly inexpensive but effective products, such as soda, salt, vinegar, honey, mustard, and essential oils. The duration of such procedures should not exceed 20-30 minutes, depending on the recipe. After the bath, you should definitely rest under a warm blanket for 20-30 minutes, while the effects of the procedure will continue.
Scrubs
There are a huge number of recipes for cellulite scrubs, all of them are easy to prepare and cheap. You can cook them at home or simply buy them at the store. There will be no difficulties in application either, just during the shower, when the body is already steamed, apply the mixture to the skin and massage thoroughly until red. These can be scrubs with coffee, honey, salt, sugar and much more. An additional action after the procedure will be the application of anti-cellulite cream to the scrubbed skin.
Hardware treatment methods
The best procedures for combating cellulite deposits are hardware massages.
- LPG massage. Has a vacuum-vibration effect. A special massager is used that moves over all problem areas of the body. The device consists of several rotating massage rollers that create negative pressure, due to which a vacuum effect is achieved. During the procedure, the person must wear a special suit that prevents skin injury. The massager captures areas of the skin through the fabric using a vacuum, kneads them well, and at the same time passes vibration through them. The combined effect on cellulite areas stimulates blood and lymph flow, reduces swelling, restores strength and elasticity to the skin, cleanses the sebaceous glands and improves muscle tone.
- Electrical stimulation. It involves the effect on the fiber of low-frequency currents supplied from a special apparatus. The pulses cause subtle suprathreshold changes in the levels of sodium, calcium and potassium in muscle and nerve cells. Fluctuations in ion concentrations cause an action potential, resulting in muscle contraction and the passage of a nerve impulse through them. The contraction is short-lived and often repeats after a certain period of time. This effect helps to dilate blood vessels, improve microcirculation, facilitate lymphatic drainage and reduce tissue swelling. Electrical stimulation with infrared radiation is considered very effective.
- Pressotherapy. Refers to pneumomassage and is a type of lymphatic drainage. A person is dressed in a special suit, which is divided into chambers, each of which contains compressed air. Its pressure is regulated using devices - from high to low. Periodic changes in parameters in the chambers cause a wave-like effect on areas of cellulite, which “squeezes out” excess fluid from the subcutaneous fat and significantly reduces swelling. The flow of blood and lymph also improves, metabolism accelerates, the breakdown of fat deposits and the removal of toxins.
Main causes of cellulite
Despite the rapid development of medicine, doctors still cannot give a definite answer why cellulite occurs. Since the phenomenon of pathology has not been fully studied and disclosed, this complicates the fight against “orange peel.” In any case, it can be firmly stated that gynoid lipodystrophy occurs as a result of the influence of several factors.
The main reasons why cellulite appears:
- Poor nutrition . An abundance of fatty, fried foods, sweets, and smoked foods. Adipocytes, satisfying the body's energy needs, trigger the production of endorphin, a hormone that gives a feeling of satisfaction. When a person abuses tasty and unhealthy food, a dependence arises: the body demands more and more leptin, in response adipocytes are actively formed, and they need additional nutrition... Appetite grows, at the same time fat reserves increase, inhibiting the movement of lymph and blood - the pathological process is started.
- Heredity . Genetics directly affects the speed of metabolic processes and blood circulation, and the distribution of fat cells.
- Diseases of the endocrine system . They lead to hormonal imbalance. Hormones, in turn, directly affect metabolism. When their production is disrupted, blood supply deteriorates, lymph stagnation occurs, and an “orange peel” appears.
- Sedentary lifestyle . Modern people do not have time to expend the energy consumed through food. Therefore, its excess is “stored in reserve”, resulting in fat deposits, which leads to a deterioration in the movement of blood and lymph.
- Smoking . This habit causes disturbances in the circulatory system. In addition, nicotine destroys vitamin C. Blood vessels also suffer from this, losing elasticity and becoming brittle. The outflow of fluid worsens, stagnation occurs, and cellulite appears.
- Stressful situations . They provoke hormonal surges, knocking out the rhythm of the endocrine and other systems. Many people tend to eat away stress with junk food. Therefore, fat deposits increase, blood supply and lymph flow deteriorate.
Oxygen-ozone therapy
The treatment method is classified as physiotherapeutic. Using an injection or a device, pure oxygen is introduced along with synthesized ozone. The drug must be administered subcutaneously. Typically, in the buttock area, the needling is carried out in the form of a “crescent”, and on the hips – in a vertical direction.
Oxygen-ozone therapy has the following effects:
- Reduced blood viscosity.
- Stimulation of microcirculation.
- Activation of nitric oxide synthase. This is an enzyme that thins the blood, accelerates the processes of glycolysis (breakdown of glucose) and saturates the blood with oxygen. Synthesized in the vascular endothelium.
- Reduced stability of hydrophobic fats.
- Destruction of connective tissue bridges in the area of cellulite.
After oxygen-ozone therapy, the adipose tissue becomes softer, more homogeneous, and the external manifestations of gynoid lipodystrophy gradually disappear.
Spa treatments
Spa procedures for combating cellulite have found a considerable number of fans, since in addition to the benefits they contain a pleasant ritual. In first place among salon spa procedures of this kind are anti-cellulite and lymphatic drainage massages. The second type of massage is necessary to remove toxins, excess fluid and waste from the body, and is done before anti-cellulite. The first type promotes the breakdown of fat by kneading tissues in special ways.
Wraps are a must for an anti-cellulite spa. There are many varieties of them, to suit every taste. The most effective are mud and chocolate. They open pores and perfectly saturate the skin with nutrients.
Not a single spa program of this kind is complete without peeling, which is selected taking into account the condition of the skin: citrus, coconut, nut, rice - they all do an excellent job with cellulite.
Don't forget about special masks. Any spa salon also provides a wide selection of them.
Whatever technique you like - cavitation, myostimulation, ozone therapy, laser therapy, shock wave therapy, spa procedures - it is important to understand that even the best anti-cellulite procedures will not have a long-term and lasting effect without exercise and proper nutrition, because cellulite removal requires a comprehensive and regular approach.
Electrolipolysis and microcurrent therapy
The essence of both procedures is the effect of low-frequency current on cellulite areas.
- Electrolipolysis. Aimed at accelerating the breakdown of fat cells. The current stimulates beta-3 adrenergic receptors, which are found in adipose tissue. They, in turn, change the charge of cell membranes, activate the synthesis of enzymes involved in the breakdown of adipocytes, and open voltage-dependent calcium channels. All these processes cause saponification of fats (their emulsification), then they are broken down into triglycerides and converted into fatty acids. The latter are excreted by the body with bile. Electrolipolysis also locally increases the temperature, thereby improving blood circulation and lymph outflow.
- Microcurrent therapy. It has a greater effect on all layers of the skin, stimulating the formation of elastin and collagen. The skin becomes smooth, elastic and strong. The current also affects blood vessels and muscles. Thanks to this, microcirculation and lymph drainage are normalized, tissue swelling is reduced, and the elimination of toxins is accelerated. This procedure is prescribed after sudden weight loss to tighten sagging skin and increase its tone.
Salon treatments for cellulite
For the most effective treatments for cellulite, you should go to a salon. The disadvantage of this approach is the need for financial costs, because most often it is assumed to be a course application. The advantage is the visible result after the first session.
Mesotherapy
It is an injection method of introducing medicinal or homeopathic preparations directly into the problem layer of the dermis to a depth of 4 mm. Nutritional cocktails are divided into groups depending on the effect:
- To increase the tone of blood and lymphatic vessels,
- Vasodilation,
- Stimulates the production of elastin and collagen,
- Activation of fat burning,
- Destruction of fibrous septa.
Be sure to read: An effective procedure for weight loss - salt wrap
The area affected by cellulite is pricked with a thin needle, locally delivering biologically active components to the adipose tissue.
Deeper penetration is expected with mesodissolution. Lipolytic enzymes are injected to a depth of up to 13 mm with a distance of 1 cm between injections. The result is the destruction of the membrane of fat cells and the removal of excess fat through lymphatic drainage.
The oxygen-ozone mixture has a destructive effect on the partitions of connective tissue surrounding cellulite nodules. Effect of introducing the mixture:
- Smoothed tubercles,
- Homogeneous skin surface,
- Reducing the appearance of cellulite,
- Increased skin elasticity.
LPG massage
This is the same massage with vacuum cans, but in a more gentle mode. The hardware technique is based on the effect of vacuum and vibration on areas of the body affected by cellulite. A manipulator with special attachments is controlled by a cosmetologist. The manipulator attachments create high-speed pinching, and the vacuum enhances the effect. The person does not experience any painful sensations. The procedure can even be called relaxation.
At the same time, the subcutaneous tissues get rid of excess fluid and toxins, blood circulation increases, and fat begins to break down. The end result becomes:
- Cell regeneration,
- The body produces its own collagen,
- Natural increase in elasticity.
With cellulite, sagging and wrinkled skin goes away, scars are smoothed out. Contours are tightened and weight is reduced. Using the LPG technique, you can treat any areas of the body with manifestations of cellulite: arms, legs, buttocks, chest and abdomen. An effective procedure requires a course approach. If the problem is clearly expressed, up to 12 sessions are necessary.
Pressotherapy
A type of hardware massage, also called compression and pneumatic massage. It involves the impact on the lymphatic system of compressed air supplied through a special suit. Pressure adjustment is carried out via a computer. The specialist creates programs according to the client’s individual indications. Using wave-like movements, the device simulates muscle contractions. The movement is directed from peripheral points to the center. A lymphatic drainage effect is achieved and blood circulation improves.
Compression massage is performed on the arms, legs, waist, thighs and abdomen. The appearance of cellulite in problem areas is significantly reduced.
General action:
- Activation of lymph flow,
- Removing excess fluid and toxins from the body,
- Tissue nutrition
- Cleansing the body.
The method is suitable if there are contraindications to ultrasound procedures and electrophoresis. It has a beneficial effect on tissue during the initial manifestations of varicose veins.
The advantage of the procedure is the possibility of local impact on problem areas while guaranteeing long-term results. It is effective to combine the technique with other options for combating cellulite: body wrap, electrolipolysis.
Electrolipolysis
A hardware procedure for cellulite involves a pulsed effect of electric current on the affected areas. Fat deposits are first softened by temperature, then broken down into small fractions and removed into the intercellular space. Contractive movements stimulate the emulsified fat to be eliminated from the body through the lymph flow. The duration of the procedure – one and a half hours – also contributes to its effectiveness.
Advantages of the method:
- Improves silhouette
- Body volumes decrease
- The subcutaneous layer is cleared of toxins,
- The balance of fluids in the body is normalized,
- Stretch marks are reduced and cellulite deposits are eliminated.
Electrolipolysis causes slight heating of tissues, so it is not recommended for irritated skin, thrombophlebitis, and inflammatory diseases. A side effect of the procedure is diuretic.
This is explained by an increase in fluid in the intercellular space and its removal from the body through the kidneys and bladder.
Be sure to read: Abdominal massage technique for weight loss
Cryolipolysis
The anti-cellulite cryolipolysis procedure is performed using a machine. This is a modern way to thin the fat layer and correct the figure without surgery. Subcutaneous fat in the problem area is treated with local cooling. Fat cells are subjected to cryotherapy within 1 hour and die. The surrounding tissues remain unchanged.
The key difference of the method is that the breakdown products of fat cells are not released into the intercellular space and do not enter the circulatory or lymphatic systems. Death occurs due to a regulated process, then fragments of the decayed cell are captured and digested by macrophages - special eater cells.
Cryolipolysis is compared in effectiveness to liposuction. The volume of fatty tissue can be reduced by 40% using non-surgical surgery.
During the procedure, suitable applicators are selected for individual treatment areas. The skin along with the fat fold is pulled in using a vacuum grip. Cooling occurs through the walls of the applicator in close contact with living tissue.
After the procedure, the skin may turn red. It takes at least 3 months for the final effect to appear. All this time, the treated fat cells will die and disintegrate. Usually one cryolipolysis procedure is sufficient.
Ultraphonophoresis
The technique combines ultrasonic energy and the action of external medications applied to problem areas. Due to ultrasonic waves, the permeability of skin structures and cell membranes increases. Skin metabolism is activated. The procedure provides warming, micromassage, and oxygen saturation of deep tissues. The restoration of elastin and collagen is stimulated.
Peculiar sound vibrations destroy the dense fibrous framework around fat cells, deposits are reduced, and the skin becomes more elastic.
The selected drugs accelerate the process of destruction of the fat layer, increase blood circulation, and promote the removal of fluid along with metabolic products. During the procedure, only pleasant vibration is noted.
For a sustainable effect, up to 15 sessions are necessary. It goes well with other techniques: wrapping, pressotherapy.
Ultrasonic cavitation
The technique involves applying ultrasound to the area affected by cellulite. The waves affect the fluid inside the fat cell. A stream of air bubbles is created, under the influence of which the unstable cell membrane is destroyed. Damaged cells release fat, which is excreted in the lymph and blood, like other metabolic products. Only fat cells are sensitive to such effects. Other fabrics have greater elasticity and remain unchanged.
During ultrasonic cavitation, a significant release of energy occurs. For 1 cm of area - about 100 kcal. As a result, the following effect is observed on the treated area:
- Reduction of volumes after the first procedure,
- Reduction of lumpiness, unevenness of the skin surface,
- Increased tone
- Removing excess fluid from the body.
An absolutely painless method that leaves no traces after the session. No redness, no skin damage. A side effect is an increased load on the organs of the excretory system.
None of the methods gives a 100% guarantee of eliminating the “orange peel” problem. The most effective anti-cellulite procedures require consistent and comprehensive actions.
A combination of various methods, along with an increase in physical activity and nutritional correction, will give a truly satisfactory and sustainable treatment result.
Ultrasound therapy and ultraphonophoresis
Cosmetic procedures are based on the influence of ultrasonic waves. They differ in the medications used:
- Ultrasound therapy. Provides only for the influence of ultrasound. It helps well with advanced cellulite with significant changes in fibrous tissue. Ultrasonic waves must have a frequency above 20 kHz. They act on the subcutaneous tissue, stimulating lipolysis due to constant fluctuations in the intercellular fluid. Fat cells collide with each other, their cell membranes are deformed, causing the contents to leak out. Adipocytes decrease in size and stop squeezing nearby blood lymphatic vessels. Accordingly, blood circulation and lymphatic drainage in problem areas improves. The fibrous bridges between lipocytes are also destroyed.
- Ultraphonophoresis. During the procedure, ultrasound is applied simultaneously with the administration of medications that were previously applied to the cellulite area. Ultrasound waves increase the permeability of the skin, cell membranes and vessel walls. The full range of effects depends on the choice of drug.
Cellulite treatments carried out in salons provide the most effective treatment for this problem. They have a beneficial effect on the entire body as a whole, are carried out by specialists and minimize the likelihood of errors and complications.
Walls at home don't help much with cellulite
The modern beauty industry produces special preparations for anti-cellulite procedures at home:
- anti-cellulite complex of cosmetics - gels and activator lotion for application to problem areas;
- ampoules for cellulite - caffeine in cream, gel, cosmetic clay is used for masks or wraps;
- Mesococktail for cellulite – a vitamin complex for oral administration with a lifting effect.
These means allow a woman to “fight the enemy on her territory.”
Practice shows that in terms of effectiveness, a professional approach according to the formula: “Hardware procedures for cellulite + complex anti-cellulite massage + anti-cellulite set of drugs for external and internal use” is more effective than home methods.
Contraindications and recommendations from specialists
A number of phenomena and diseases can be considered contraindications to salon procedures to get rid of “orange peel” on the body; before using the services of specialists, it is still better to consult with a qualified therapist. You should not turn to hardware cosmetology to treat cellulite with the following processes in your body:
thrombosis;- oncological diseases;
- acute inflammatory and infectious processes;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system, varicose veins, cardiopathology, presence of pacemakers;
- open wounds;
- pigment spots, nevi, neoplasms;
- pregnancy;
- fungal skin diseases;
- epilepsy;
- internal prostheses;
- thyroid diseases.
There is no perfect recipe for getting rid of cellulite; each case is individual and treatment methods are selected in the same way. Most often, specialists select comprehensive programs that include massage, special cosmetics, physical activity and proper nutrition. If you were able to achieve the desired result, this does not mean that you can continue to lead the same lifestyle. In order to preserve the beauty of your body for as long as possible and strengthen the effect of the devices, you must follow the recommendations of cosmetologists:
- Nutrition has a direct bearing on the formation of cellulite, but even following strict diets, you will not be able to get rid of the existing problem. You just need to monitor the quality of food you consume and not lose weight very suddenly. Fruits and vegetables rich in fiber will be extremely beneficial. You should avoid baked sweets, animal fats in prepared meat products, smoked meats and pickles,
- Avoid alcohol and nicotine, they have the most negative effect on the appearance of the skin, but in addition they have a negative effect on the functioning of all organs, which also leads to deterioration.
Lead an active lifestyle, because in this way you stimulate the supply of oxygen to the cells in sufficient quantities for their life. When building muscle mass, fat accumulations are burned well; if you want to get rid of problematic imperfections on the stomach, legs, buttocks, choose those sports in which they are actively involved. Cycling, swimming, jumping rope, jogging can have a magical effect on your appearance.
And the last piece of advice is to love yourself, because in this case you won’t want to spoil such an attractive creature. The momentary pleasure of a cake is simply not comparable with the negative manifestations that will take months to get rid of.