So Long Cellulite

By Glenn Marinelli, MD, FACS

What Is Cellulite?
Cellulite is fat that is deposited in pockets just below the surface of the skin. It occurs around the hips, thighs and buttocks, and creates that familiar dimpled appearance in those areas. It is not directly related to obesity.
Because we all have some fat just below the skins surface, even thin people can have cellulite. In addition, collagen fibers that connect fat to the skin may stretch, wear out or tighten, allowing fat pads to bulge out causing the rippled look of cellulite.
Problems with venous and lymphatic drainage, heredity, lack of exercise, smoking and unhealthy diets have all been linked to the development of cellulite. Weight loss, exercise, massages, creams, ultrasound, electrical devices and oral supplements have all been tried with limited success. Liposuction removes fat well, but is not a very effective tool against cellulite. Mesotherapy is a relatively new technique in America, and it is gaining in popularity for certain problems.
What Is Mesotherapy?
Mesotherapy is one of the treatment modalities available in the practice of Aesthetic Medicine. It involves the injection of small amounts of pharmaceutical agents into the skin or just under it, into the fat. Which agents are injected depends on the effect one is trying to achieve. The physician will blend these agents to treat your areas of concern. Most people use mesotherapy to reduce cellulite, eliminate areas of localized fat deposits or to rejuvenate the skin. The topic of this article is cellulite!
Can Mesotherapy
Help With Cellulite?
While no cellulite treatment is perfect, the mesotherapy agents penetrate into fat cells, assist the venous and lymphatic drainage in the fat tissue, break down some of the fat and connective tissue present and assist in elimination of damaged fibrous tissue. This damaged fibrous tissue is a large component of cellulite, and is the hardest part to correct. I1esotherapy can work on these factors to promote a smoother and more appealing skin surface, reducing the lumpy cellulite look.
How Many Treatments Will I
Need, and How Long Does It Last?
The number of treatments varies depending on the amount of fat and cellulite one is removing. As few as three treatments and as many as five have been described in articles. Our experience is showing that results can be noticed in two sessions, and 4-6 sessions seem adequate for all but the most severe problems. The results should last because the fat is actually eliminated with the treatments, but we can always make more! Dont forget the roles of proper nutrition and exercise in the maintenance of good health and fat reduction.
Where Do I Start?
Mesotherapy is usually performed in the office. Topical anesthesia is used. There is no real down time afterwards. It is good to rest the day of treatment, but a person can typically go on with regular activities the next day. Consider having a complimentary consultation to see if mesotherapy is right for your needs.