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Women of all ages continue to wage war against cellulite. The unsightly bulges and dimpled skin that results from trapped fat cells under the skin’s surface can prevent even the leanest woman from achieving a sculpted and toned appearance.
Since diet and exercise rarely eliminate the problem, surgery or cellulite treatments may be the only effective way to lose the cellulite for good.
The December 2008 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal recently reported on an innovative ‘combo’ treatment that involves laser energy and fat transplantation for reshaping the body and reducing cellulite. The technique can be used on several problem areas including the buttocks, thighs, hips and stomach.
The procedure involves heating up the skin with a laser device to trigger collagen production, the essential compound that helps preserve skin elasticity and naturally tightens up the skin. For this study, the Nd: YAG laser was used so that the tissues could begin contracting and collagen production could occur at a rapid pace. After the laser treatment, the surgeon would fill in the depressed areas of the skin with the patient’s own body fat; this helped create a smooth, sculpted appearance and virtually eliminated the appearance of cellulite.
TheAesthetic Surgery Journal is published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and this combination procedure was listed as one of several ‘proven’ procedures for treating cellulite. Results of the study indicate that nearly 85% of patients enjoyed ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ results up to three years after the initial procedure.
Other popular cellulite treatments currently available in the United States include the Velasmooth non-invasive procedure, lower body lift surgery, endermologie and injection lipolysis.
The combination treatment is designed only for cases of severe cellulite, and is not necessarily a vanity procedure like Velasmooth and other non-invasive treatments. The YAG laser does have its risks and drawbacks, and may not be suitable for all skin types. Still, fat injections can make a significant difference in the outcome of the cellulite procedure.
Getting rid of cellulite is no easy affair for the thousands of women that have unsightly patches of cellulite on their thighs, hips and buttocks. Cellulite reduction treatments claim to break down the fatty tissue accumulation in these problem areas and improve circulation so that the body can stop storing fat and get rid of the toxins and waste tissues naturally. However, some experts say that the risk factor of developing cellulite increases with an inadequate diet.
According to Professional Beauty of the UK, cellulite can be the result of ongoing hormonal fluctuations where the body retains excess amounts of water and accumulates body fat on a regular basis. Many hormonal fluctuations related to pregnancy, the monthly menstrual cycle and even the shifts that occur while taking oral contraceptives can lead to the accumulation of toxic waste products in the body which can become ’stuck’ in the tissues. Over time, this can lead to a number of side effects including tissue swelling and inflammation, but this process may also be the underlying cause of cellulite.
A recent report issued by Professional Beauty points out the importance of drinking water regularly to flush out toxins naturally and to eat a natural or whole-foods based diet that support the overall health of the body. Eating low alkaline and low acid foods is especially important for maintaining a healthy pH balance and metabolism.
The report lists a number of low-acid foods that need to be incorporated into every diet in order to reduce the risk of cellulite. Fruits and vegetables such as brussel sprouts, cauliflower, tangerines, tomatoes, raw celery, molasses, millet, green beans, cucumber and blackberries are considered to be ‘alkaline ash foods’ and may help control the amount of acid the body produces during the digestive process.
In addition to modifying the diet, the report encourages body brushing to stimulate the circulation and soaking in a mineral-rich salt bath at least once per week.
While millions of women continue to pursue liposuction and body contouring treatments to get rid of excess body fat and tighten up the skin, many turn to non-invasive spa treatments such as body wraps to lose inches after just one session.
Body wraps are typically made with ingredients that boost circulation and tighten up the skin, and may help create a smoother, sculpted appearance. Treatments include clay, mineral and herbal extracts applied to the skin so that the body can begin releasing toxins naturally.
The makers of the LyopSlim Body Wrap claim that their clients lose several inches – up to 9 inches – after just one session. The LypoSlim Body Wrap is made with botanical ingredients including chickweed, papaya, green tea and crocus flower and works by increasing circulation and reducing water retention in the body.
The LypoSlim Body Wrap is different than standard clay and herbal body treatments available at the spa because it involves a heat-wrapping step. Most body wraps at the spa that promise to reduce the appearance of cellulite or get rid of excess water weight simply increase circulation so that the patient can sweat out toxins through the pores.
However, the LypoSlim body wrap involves soaking strips of cotton towels in the mixture, heating up the towel and then wrapping the solution around the patient before covering them with micron foil. This generates a significant amount of heat in just 40 minutes, resulting in a deeper detoxification process and rapid loss of excess water weight.
The concentrated formula and treatment is now appearing at medical spas and day spas across the country, and may be a valuable alternative to surgery for many. Results may be further improved with non-invasive body contouring treatments such as VelaShape and Thermage which help to tighten and tone loose skin in the long-term.
Many medical spas and aesthetic surgery centers offer cellulite body wraps made with chocolate extracts and coffee grounds, as these promote circulation and help smooth out the skin. Chocolate body wraps can help tighten and tone up the skin, and revive tired or aging skin that may be prone to developing cellulite.
Now, some experts are hailing the benefits of chocolate and clay body wraps to spot-treat cellulite and give the skin a more youthful appearance and encouraging people to eat more chocolate to stay healthy.
Chocolate clay body wraps are designed to be a decadent treat for the skin, and work by drawing out toxins from the body and increasing circulation. This helps the body become tighter, firmer and may even result in several inches lost. The typical wrap treatment involves covering the body in a rich clay ‘mask’ and then wrapping cotton and elastic bandages around the skin for maximum absorption. A sauna suit can then be worn to heat up the body and increase circulation. After 45 minutes to an hour, the body will begin releasing toxins which then results in tighter, firmer skin.
The effects of a wrap help to break down fat and increase the metabolism – these are essential for smoothing out cellulite and releasing the trapped fat cells so that the skin takes on a firmer, tighter and more youthful appearance.
Body wrap treatments made with a chocolate base offer several benefits for women who are looking for a quick and affordable way to lose a few inches. Many are combined with caffeine, peppermint and other ingredients that stimulate the skin and increase circulation.
Dr. Robert Rey, otherwise known as ‘Dr. 90210′ points out that chocolate can be a healthy substitute for caffeine and soda, allowing women to get their ‘fix’ without experiencing bloating and water retention. Healthy chocolate choices include dark chocolate and herb-infused chocolates that are full of antioxidants; these can help the skin maintain a supple appearance and may even help reduce the risk of developing cellulite.
If you’ve thought about getting rid of cellulite with some of today’s non-invasive procedures, you may already have stumbled across the VelaSmooth system, SmartLipo and other highly-advertised procedures on the market.
Getting rid of cellulite without surgery has been deemed possible by many medical spas and cosmetic surgery centers, procedures that promise to ‘melt’ fat cells, recontour the body and improve the skin’s appearance. Some of these treatments promote a proven ‘circumferential reduction’ – not necessarily blasting away fat cells – while others are designed to boost circulation and increase collagen production so that the skin appears healthier and more toned.
Critics of these treatments suggest that the cellulite reduction plan is just a hoax. The Wall Street Journal highlights Dr. Robert A. Weiss’s response to the cellulite trends, indicating that fancy massagers and ‘cellulite-fighting’ treatments do nothing for melting the fat cells or getting rid of cellulite.
Still, industry researchers report that demand for these procedures will exceed $200 million by 2012, and consumers continue to flock to medical spas and cosmetic surgery centers for the latest cellulite fix.
While thousands of women turn to endermologie, laser liposuction and mesotherapy injections to get rid of unsightly fat and cellulite, having a smooth and sculpted figure may be easier with the help of C02 gas.
Since cellulite is caused by ‘trapped’ fatty deposits beneath the skin’s surface, treatments that help loosen the fat and disperse or eliminate the cells entirely are some of the best ways to treat cellulite.
Carboxytherapy is now available at several cosmetic surgery and aesthetic surgery centers, and involves the administration of carbon dioxide directly under the skin’s surface. The pressure form the gas helps destroy fat cells and tissues, and can even be used to shrink the fat cells so that skin appears smoother, stronger and more supple.
Dr. Lisa Zdinak, an opthalmic plastic surgeon in Manhattan, explains how the C02Touch Carboxytherapy works: “My newest CO2Touch technique delivers the gas in such a manner that I can customize the treatment for each patient to ensure a virtually pain-free experience. I am also seeing more dramatic results sooner with the heated gas and my modified techniques.”
Dr. Zdinak is one of the first cosmetic surgeons in Manhattan to offer this treatment, offering women even more options for getting rid of cellulite and improving their appearance. She prefers to use carboxytherapy because it does not involve injecting foreign substances, compounds and potentially dangerous herbal solutions into the skin. (Source: PrecisionAestheticsMD.com)
Carboxytherapy is also known as the C02Touch Brazilian treatment, Brazilian cellulite reduction treatment, and C02 cellulite treatment.
For thousands of women batting cellulite with the latest innovative treatment, procedures including SmoothShapes, VelaShape and LipoDissolvecontinue to be an attractive choice for many. Instead of turning to surgery to get rid of fatty pockets, these cellulite reduction treatments work through the skin’s surface to deliver a deep, heated massage (VelaShape) or break down fat cells with compounds delivered via injection (LipoDissolve). As popular as these non-surgical options are, some people don’t always achieve the dramatic results they are looking for.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported on the issue, indicating that the market for these treatments is expected to grown to $200 million a year by 2012, but studies and research on the effectiveness of these treatments are showing limited promise.
“We do not have any data or information about how long the effect lasts,” says Karen Riley, a spokeswoman for the FDA, which has cleared more than a dozen devices for cellulite treatment. (Source: Wall Street Journal)
Most of the anti-cellulite procedures require a series of treatments in order to see any major results; a set of 6 – 10 treatments is the typical treatment plan, and patients are advised to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle during the process.
Critics of these programs suggest that most treatments only provide temporary results, and that most are just ‘glorified’ massage treatments that only reduce dipmles and the appearance of cellulite for the short term.
Still, supporters of celluite treatments claim that these non-surgical methods are a valuable way to lose a few inches, tighten up the skin and enjoy results within a few short months.
Women of all ages continue to wage war against cellulite. The unsightly bulges and dimpled skin that results from trapped fat cells under the skin’s surface can prevent even the leanest woman from achieving a sculpted and toned appearance.
Getting rid of cellulite is no easy affair for the thousands of women that have unsightly patches of cellulite on their thighs, hips and buttocks. 
Many 