Women have been trying to rid their bodies of cellulite since the beginning of time.  As far back as the ancient Egyptians, women have employed the use of aromatic oils, incense, and rollers as treatments designed to smooth their dimply skin. 

In the past two thousand years, we have at least learned that, although there is no way to permanently eliminate cellulite, there are ways to make affected areas look smoother and tighter.

Most cellulite treatments can be performed on an outpatient basis at a medi-spa or can be performed in conjunction with more extensive procedures as part of a cosmetic surgery package deal.

Next to Botox injections and chemical peels, laser hair removal and cellulite treatments are the most widely requested services at medi-spas.

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite is simply a buildup of fat between layers of connective tissue.  An estimated 80% of women have it.  Women develop cellulite because, unlike most men, a woman’s connective tissue actually pulls on the skin, forming little dimple-like areas where the tissue runs through the layer of fat. 

Although a fat free body would definitely eliminate the problem, women’s bodies are designed to carry more fat than men, and too little body fat can be unhealthy.  So, it seems women are destined to battle the cellulite bulge.

The most popular cellulite treatments include:

• Body contouring
• Subdermal massage
• Thermal body contouring
• Liposuction
• Laser cellulite reduction

 

Body Contouring

• Body contouring is a subdermal (underneath the skin) massage therapy which is used to reduce the appearance of cellulite. 
• This non-surgical cellulite treatment increases blood flow to the treatment area, stretches connective tissue, and smoothes subdermal fat resulting in the appearance of less cellulite. 
• The treatment is soothing and relaxing and is performed in many medi-spas for a national average price of about $250.00 per treatment.

 

Some subdermal massage therapies use heat, not just massage, to help smooth the area.  Such treatments require no down time and are completely non-invasive.

Liposuction

• The only way to truly eliminate cellulite is to remove the fat layer between the muscle and the skin. 
• Liposuction has been used for several decades to suction fat from problem areas. 
• During an outpatient procedure, a hollow tube, called a cannula, is inserted through a series of small incisions in the target area. 
• The cannula is then manipulated by the plastic surgeon to suction fat from the body.  Only a certain amount of fat can be removed. 
• The removal of too much fat can result in health problems and can be visually unpleasing.  Although, liposuction used to be known as a “dry” procedure, liquids containing saline solution, lidocaine (an anesthetic), and/or epinephrine (helps stop bleeding) are now generally injected into the body during the treatment. 

 

Liposuction Cost and Procedure

• The national average cost of liposuction varies from $2500.00 per treatment to $3000.00 per treatment depending on whether the treatment is suction-assisted or ultrasound-assisted, respectively. 
• The use of ultrasound during liposuction procedures is to liquefy the fat before suctioning.  Liposuction can be performed using only a local anesthetic or under complete anesthesia depending on the desires of the patient and the size of the area being treated. 
• Although still considered a surgical procedure, liposuction is considered minimally invasive.

 

Cellulite Lasers

• The use of lasers is the latest in the treatment of cellulite. 

Currently, lasers are being used in conjunction with body contouring massage, thermal treatments, and liposuction.