Cellulite is the dimpled, orange peel-looking skin that usually appears around the thighs, buttocks, and stomach, and it can be tough to get rid of. “Cellulite forms just below the skin when fibrous connective cords that tether the skin to the underlying muscle break, stretch or pull down, while fat cells accumulate and push up against the skin,” says dermatologist Dawn Davis, MD, via the Mayo Clinic. “The reason some people develop cellulite and others do not isn’t clear. Women are much more likely than men to have cellulite, and it tends to run in families, so genetics may play a role. Cellulite is more common in people who are overweight and in older adults.” Thankfully there are ways to get rid of cellulite without going under the knife—here’s what plastic surgeons say.
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Exilis Fat-Melting Treatments
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Exilis treatments can help melt away cellulite. “The Exilis is a top of the line device that is capable of melting away fat without any incisions necessary,” says board-certified plastic surgeon Michael Gartner, DO. “The Exilis works by sending radio frequency signals to the fat deposits on your thighs and buttocks. It heats up the deposits, causing them to melt away. This procedure can be done through multiple sessions in order to give you both a firm and smoother contour to your bottom area. Due to the advancements in the machine, more areas can be targeted and melted within one session.”
Exilis and Loose Skin
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Exilis also tightens up the loose skin common after fat loss. “Although we want less fat on our bodies, we don’t want our skin to be left hanging as well,” Dr. Gartner says. “Aside from melting the fat deposits, the Exilis also arranges the collagen fibers in your skin. This process allows for your skin to be firmer now that there is less fat to hold underneath.”
Cryolipolysis Treatments
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You can also freeze the cellulite fat off, experts say. “A procedure that doesn’t involve surgery called cryolipolysis has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reduce the appearance of cellulite,” says Dr. Davis. “It uses cold therapy to freeze the lipids in fat cells, causing the cells to die. Not everyone sees benefits from this treatment. In those who do, it usually requires several treatments, and it can take three to four months to receive the best results.”
Retinol Cream
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Retinol cream can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. “Retinol is a form of vitamin A that reduces the presence of free radicals responsible for the breakdown of collagen,” says board-certified plastic surgeon Pedro Rodriguez, MD. “Retinol helps maintain skin smoothness and makes cellulite bulges less visible. Look for 100,000 IUs of vitamin A per two-ounce jar. For best results, use 100 percent retinol cream with added vitamin A, C and E.”
Gotu Kola Extract
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“Gotu kola extract has been specifically researched for its benefits in reducing cellulite and is one of the few herbs that have been successful in garnering good results,” says Dr. Rodriguez. “This caffeine-free supplement improves elasticity and thickens the skin, helping minimize the appearance of cellulite.
Laser Treatments
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Laser treatments are another non-surgical option for blasting cellulite. “Some dermatologists will use laser therapy, a treatment similar to subcision, to treat cellulite,” says plastic surgeon Jill Murphy, MD. “The dermatologist places a small laser under your skin. The laser’s energy separates the connective tissue where the fat cells push through to smooth out your skin.”
Lifestyle Changes
iStockLifestyle habits can make a significant impact on cellulite, experts say. “You can take some self-care steps that may make cellulite less noticeable,” Dr. Davis says. “For example, weight loss and exercise keep your muscles toned and make dimpled skin less obvious. That said, if the skin is stretched, weakened or lays a particular way on the muscle after weight loss — including after bariatric surgery or delivery of a baby — the cellulite can be just as noticeable, which can be frustrating after working so hard to lose weight.”
