Cellulite refers to the accumulation of fats inside the interconnectivity of fibrous tissues just beneath the skin. The term is derived from the puckered, dimpled appearance of the skin usually around the hips or thighs.
Beneath your skin is numerous web of tissue strands known as septae. These are interwoven in such a manner as to hold and keep fat in place. If the septae happen to be loosely woven and weak, the fat in between them begins to bulge thus creating dimples or ripples that’re visible on an otherwise smooth skin surface.
Due to weakly interwoven and less number of septae in women than in men, women are more susceptible to have cellulite. Further to that, men have thicker skin compared to women whereas women’s hormones are likely to interfere with the strength of septae as well as the size of fat-holding cells. Remedies usually involve various methodologies that attempt to alter the internal structure of the skin and getting rid of accumulated fat therein.
Treatment Using Radiofrequency (RF) Technique
Use of Radiofrequency (RF) electronic devices for non-surgical cellulite reduction is the latest and promising technique. A combination of pure RF energy together with other modalities involving mobilization of tissue, suction, and infrared can be applied to help contour the body effectively thereby reducing fat as well as the appearance of cellulite.
RF treatment involves heating the skin around the affected area, subsequently causing temporary thickening and swelling. The net effect is that the skin becomes smooth thus reducing the appearance of cellulite dimples. Controlled RF heating melts fat deposits beneath the skin which then get drained via the lymphatic system. This in effect cause increased blood circulation and tightening of tissues around the affected area thus minimizing the appearance of cellulite. In order to get better results, patients are often asked to undergo continual sessions (once or twice weekly) for a month or even longer.
- RF Laser Toning: In the case of cellulitis with more dimples or ripples, RF devices such as Galaxy that’s often used to remedy facial wrinkles may be used. This device points RF laser beam energy underneath the skin’s surface thereby laying down fresh collagen and tightening of skin thus reducing cellulite appearance.
- RF Laser Massage: This is a Tri-Active cold laser method which involves suction massage that causes increased drainage in the lymphatic system and fluid filtration from the cells. Less intense heat emanating from an electronic diode is applied underneath the affected area in order to stimulate the production of collagen thereby causing skin tightening. The diode’s cooling head is devised in a way that counters any slight burning sensation.
Following RF thermotherapy treatment period, the inner structures of your skin will tighten faster while new collagen will spring up over a period of time. The patient should see an improvement in their skin tone. After the initial session, the patient might experience dry skin coupled with burning mild burning sensation. This is normal and would disappear after a while.
Although RF and other minimally invasive laser treatments show remarkable and immediate results, Patients would need to go for touch-ups at least once in a year. These treatment technologies are relatively new and data on long-term side effects are yet to be documented.