Cellulite: What Is It and What Treatments are Available?

Many of our patients come to us wanting to eliminate cellulite on the body because it can detract from an otherwise smooth silhouette.  For the benefit of our patients in the greater Houston area, Dr. Olga Bachilo, a board-certified plastic surgeon, anti-aging specialist, and director of Glamour Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, stays abreast of the latest and most advanced treatments in the world of cosmetic medicine and provides a variety of treatment options to reduce the appearance of cellulite. 

What is cellulite and what causes it?

Cellulite is a subcutaneous skin condition characterized by dimpled, bumpy areas of skin, primarily in fatty regions such as the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. Cellulite results from three very common components: lax skin, bands, and clumps of fat.

It is estimated that some 90% of adult women are affected by cellulite. Conditions such as sagging skin, excess fat, and lax muscle can lead to the development of cellulite.  Aging is also a contributing factor, as is a sit-down job and a sedentary lifestyle. While diet and exercise may help eliminate or manage cellulite in some individuals, others may be prone to cellulite for hereditary reasons and may not respond to diet and exercise.  

Cellulite may be successfully treated using various techniques that tighten the skin and increase collagen and elastin production in treatment areas. This is because collagen and elastin are critical nutrients that build and fortify healthy skin cells at the structural level. An increase in the body’s own production of these key nutrients naturally leads to an increase in the thickness of the skin, improving the skin’s overall tone and texture and diminishing the appearance of cellulite. 

Emtone

Emtone is the first and only non-invasive cellulite treatment that uses both thermal and radiofrequency energy to tighten the skin simultaneously, tone the body, and reduce the appearance of cellulite.  Emtone’s unique delivery of simultaneous Monopolar Radiofrequency and Targeted Pressure Energy effectively targets the subcutaneous lax muscles, fatty deposits, and sagging skin that are the root causes of cellulite.  

Clinical studies have found that this synergistic combination of thermal and mechanical energy produces superior results compared to the results produced when each therapy is applied separately, even when treatments are performed back to back. In fact, patients treated with Emtone showed a 64% increase in elastin production, a 59% increase in collagen production, and a 44% increase in the skin’s thickness.  

Emtone treatments work best on the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, back, and upper arms.  Treatments are painless, and each session lasts about 20 minutes.  Some patients have described the Emtone treatment as feeling similar to receiving a hot stone massage enhanced with powerful pulsing vibrations. You can resume normal activities immediately following treatment as there is no downtime to worry about. Treatment is completed over four therapy sessions scheduled once or twice a week for two to four weeks.  

Cellutone

BTL Cellutone is a cellulite treatment that uses gentle pulsing vibrations to break down the clumps of subcutaneous fatty deposits that cause cellulite. Cellutone improves overall skin texture, tone, and tightness, creating a smoother and more toned appearance. Cellutone therapy requires several treatments, typically scheduled a week apart. Cellutone may also be combined with other cellulite and skin-firming treatments to produce more comprehensive results.

Venus Legacy 

The Venus Legacy uses Multi-Polar Radio Frequency and Pulsed Electro Magnetic Fields, as well as VariPulse™ technology to effectively break down cellulite while tightening the skin and improving overall tone and texture as reducing the wrinkles and fine lines. In addition, Venus Legacy treatments are safe for all skin types and non-invasive, requiring no downtime. 

QWO

QWO is a revolutionary new injectable treatment for moderate to severe cellulite. QWO is the first and only injectable treatment approved by the FDA for moderate to severe cellulite in the buttocks of adult women. Dramatic results may be achieved in a series of three 10-minute treatment sessions delivered every 21 days over a period of 10 weeks. 

Incision

In some extreme cellulite cases, particularly if the patient also wants to eliminate fatty deposits and tighten skin, surgery may be the best recommendation. Dr. Olga Bachilo can evaluate your condition and your treatment goals and help you determine your best treatment options. 

Cellfina 

Cellfina is the first and only FDA-approved cellulite treatment that produces dramatic long-term results in a single treatment session. Cellfina works best on the areas of the buttocks and thighs, with the results of a single treatment session lasting as long as two years.  This unique treatment is only available through a licensed medical practitioner such as Dr. Bachilo. 

Combination treatments

Cellulite treatments can also be combined with other skin-tightening and body contouring procedures to achieve even more dramatic and comprehensive body sculpting and muscular definition. During your intake consultation, you can discuss your aesthetic goals with Dr. Bachilo, and she can recommend an ideal treatment plan to address all of your concerns.

If you’d like to learn more about cellulite treatments to achieve tighter, smoother skin, contact Glamour Plastic Surgery and Med Spa to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bachilo. Our state-of-the-art cosmetic medical facility serves the greater Houston area, Katy, Sugar Land, and neighboring communities in Texas.