CELLULITE

Cellulite is dimpled skin which gives it an orange peel appearance. Most commonly it appears on the thigh and buttock areas with advancing age

The soft tissue layer of the body consists of skin, underneath is fat layer and deeper to fat layer is the muscle. The skin is tethered to the underlying muscle with numerous string-like bands. When one gains weight the fat layer under the skin expands. But the points at which the skin is tethered it cannot expand giving the skin orange peel appearance. So the dimples are where the skin is tethered to the underlying muscle. The bulges between the dimple is where the fat has expanded.

As explained above cellulite is due to expansion of the fat layer with the weight gain. Unfortunately this fat layer is very stubborn and does not melt away with weight loss.

There are creams and mechanical rollers, which are being offered as non-surgical treatment. They have failed to demonstrate any improvement. Moreover the mechanical roller can be painful to apply.

Liposuction, particularly done by vibrating cannula (PAL or power assisted liposuction) , in properly selected patients can have visible long lasting improvement. Moreover with liposuction contour is also improved. Please refer to FAQ on liposuction for further details. As always personal consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon is mandatory before deciding on any intervention.