Cellulite FAQs
We are often asked about cellulite, so we compiled some of the most common cellulite FAQs and their answers. Cellulite is the dimpled “orange peel” skin usually found on the buttocks and legs, a condition often targeted in female celebrities by tabloids and magazines alike for damning front covers. It’s a completely natural problem that doesn’t actually indicate bad health, but can be an aesthetic issue for some patients.
Cellulite FAQs: Who gets it?
Why do women get cellulite more than men?
It’s a really common problem, affecting up to 90% of women at some point in their lives, and up to 20% of men. This is simply down to how fat is stored in the body – men and women have completely different structures. Men’s bodies carry fat in a lattice grid formation, whereas women’s is more open.
The cause of cellulite is fibrous bands between skin and underlying tissue called septa. When fat is stored between these anchors, it bulges, causing the dimples seen on the surface of skin.
Why is it mostly visible on the legs and buttocks?
Cellulite normally affects areas that are more prone to fat gain, and the thighs and buttocks are the most common areas for fat storage in women, who make up 90% of all cellulite sufferers.
Cellulite FAQs : reducing cellulite
Is cellulite inherited?
Genetics can play a part in whether you’ll develop cellulite, so if your parents experience it, you’re more likely to see it yourself.
Can dieting help reduce cellulite?
Losing weight doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll lose cellulite, but refined, processed foods that are high in sugar and fat (and can cause weight gain when you overindulge) contribute to the appearance of these dimples, and so should be avoided.
Is there a treatment that really works?
Yes, there is! It’s called Cellfina and works by snipping the septae to smooth the dimples they cause. With one minimally invasive session, our doctors can reduce the appearance of cellulite, with results lasting up to 3 years, making it the most effective treatment currently available. It is FDA-approved for an improvement in the appearance of cellulite in 98% of patients. (Please note that this treatment is no longer provided at PHI Clinic)
Is all cellulite the same?
No, not all cellulite is created equal – there are a few different types.
There are 4 grades of severity for cellulite,
1- no visible cellulite even when skin is pinched
2- no visible cellulite when standing or laying down, but visible when skin is pinched
3- visible cellulite when standing, but no visible cellulite when laying down
4- visible cellulite when standing or laying down
Types of cellulite
Aqueous – located all over the body, aqueous cellulite is often caused by water retention, with the familiar orange peel appearance to the skin.
Adipose – this type of cellulite is only visible when skin is pinched, and is usually caused by a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet.
Fibrous – this type of cellulite can be quite painful to the touch, and may seem hard, appearing most commonly on the hips and thighs as visible bumps.
Consultation At PHI Clinic
Book a consultation at PHI Clinic today and one of our doctors will assess your suitability for treatment and create a comprehensive treatment plan that takes into account your suitability for downtime. We do not perform same day treatment at PHI, and require at least 24 hours between consultation and any procedure, to ensure that you feel completely comfortable with us.
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