There is no treatment that can eliminate the cellulitis. Experts recommend that you act on several fronts at the same time in order to achieve the greatest possible effect on cellulite. Some changes infood and increased practice ofphysical activity are the first steps to consider.

The cellulite market offers a variety of often expensive products and procedures that can improve the appearance of cellulite only temporarily. It is creams, gels, vigorous massages using devices, treatments at laser, by radiofrequencies or by ultrasound andinjections substances in the surface layer of the skin or a little deeper. Surgery can also reduce cellulite.

Good to know before starting a treatment:

• None of the methods offered in the market can promise to remove cellulite. At best, there is a temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite.

• Some people respond better than others to treatment. It is very difficult to comment on their effectiveness for a particular individual. Sometimes cellulite does not improve after treatment.
• Shortly after stopping treatment, their benefits, if any, disappear. They must be continued to achieve a lasting effect.
• There is still little scientific evidence for the effectiveness of cellulite methods. Research is in its early stages.
• Treatments that use waves, lasers, or injections can have rare side effects that are difficult to correct, such as scarring or browning of the skin.

For personalized advice, consult a doctor or a dermatologist who work in the field aesthetic or a plastic surgeon. The cost of treatment is not covered by Social Security in France, nor by the Régime de l’assurance-maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

Food

We must avoidexcess salt (chips, industrial prepared meals, store-bought sauces, etc.), which contributes to Water retention and tissue engorgement.

In general, we will ensure that hydrate.

Eating a diet that provides essential nutrients also helps keep skin toned as much as possible. To learn more about the basic principles of healthy eating, see our fact sheets Food guides et How to eat well?

Physical exercise

Even if the weight is not the cause, it is desirable to engage in regular physical exercise to strengthen muscle tone and improve fitness. blood circulation.

Any physical activity that causes an increase in heart and respiratory rates (aerobics, brisk walking, jogging, cycling, cross-country skiing, etc.) is most beneficial, since it improves blood circulation, in addition to contribute to the loss of fat all over the body.

The practice of muscle strengthening exercises of a precise area of the body (the thighs, for example) does not have an anti-cellulite effect.

For more information on fitness, see our section Be in good shape.

Vacuotherapy

La vacuotherapy, also known in common parlance asEndermologie®, consists of the application, by a health professional, of deep massages using a machine. Like the Cellu M6, which has 2 adjustable steam rollers. These rollers hold a fold of the skin by suction. the massage is done by a back and forth movement of the device on the skin. It would work by creating swelling (edema), which makes the orange peel less noticeable.

A treatment lasts about 45 minutes and is usually repeated one to three times a week for a few weeks.

Manual lymphatic drainage

It is a massage technique based on movements most often performed by a physiotherapist masseur, stimulating lymphatic return, capturing the interstitial fluid between the fatty lobules and therefore reducing the lymphatic component of the edema. This technique has been shown to be effective using three-dimensional ultrasound images, but the results observed are not permanent. It is therefore necessary to regularly renew the drainages in association with other treatments to obtain a lasting result.

Pressothérapie

It is a kind of automated lymphatic drainage through a pneumatic massager. This technique is especially useful in addition to manual drainage.

Electrotherapy

It consists in diffusing a galvanic current in the muscles by means of needles pricked near the nerves stimulating the muscle groups. This tones the muscles, but also this technique slightly reduces fat deposits and improves microcirculation.

iontophoresis

This technique consists of making ionized substances derived from plants (artichoke, ivy, ginkgobiloba), minerals (silica), thyroid hormones and enzymatics (thiomucase) penetrate into the epidermis, through a weak electric current having iontophoretic properties.

Ultrasound

It is a widely used treatment although the mechanism of action is poorly understood. The technique involves producing ultrasound through a high-frequency electric current generator connected to a ceramic material deforming under the influx of the electric field, thus converting the electric energy into mechanical energy propagating in the form of ‘waves in the middle particles. This generates heat that is harmful to the fat, but also a micromassage.

The doctor applies the device perpendicular to the skin, sometimes with an ultrasound gel between the skin and the device to facilitate the diffusion of the waves. We feel a local heat. It is a little aggressive technique.

Ultrasound can also help the penetration of an enzyme-based treatment containing caffeine, ginkgo biloba extract or centella asiatica. This effect is called phonophoresis

Creams and gels

The most widely used anti-cellulite creams and gels contain methylxanthines (theophylline, aminophylline, caffeine), thyroid hormones, triiodothyroacetic acid, alpha2-adrenergic inhibitors such as yohimbine and dihydroergotamine or Forskolin. Some manufacturers claim that these substances locally reduce the fat mass and stimulate the fragmentation of fat cells.

There is also silica (often associated with caffeine), a natural constituent of elastin, collagen, proteoglycans and endogenous glycoproteins that form the support structure of the skin. The local supply of silica is supposed to compensate for the weakening assimilation capacities of silica by the body with age.

Tretinoin, a derivative of vitamin A, is responsible for angiogenesis, synthesis of collagen under the skin and aid in the proliferation of fibroblasts.

Other products aim to facilitate the blood circulation thanks to extracts of centella asiatica, horse chestnut, witch hazel and red vine, for example. Their effect on cellulite would be very mild.

It is generally recommended to combine the use of topical products with other anti-cellulite approaches.

A major obstacle to their effectiveness is their penetration. Indeed, to act on cellulite, the product must reach the subcutaneous layer. Manufacturers are trying to improve this aspect.

Mesotherapy

The term mesotherapy refers to any injection tiny doses of drugs or other substances in the skin, directly in the region to be treated. This method was developed in Europe. It is used to treat various aesthetic and health problems. The mechanism of action and the proof of efficacy of mesotherapy are poorly understood. This is a technique that is reserved for doctors because it is not without risks. The area should be carefully disinfected before injections because infections are feared, especially with atypical mycobacteria.

Medicines must be carefully prepared, sterile, water-soluble, they cannot be irritating or sensitizing. The mixture can contain a maximum of three drugs and they must be compatible with each other. The injections are more or less deep about every centimeter. The ingredients used in the composition of these injectable products vary: aminophylline, hormones, enzymes, plant extracts (melilotus, buflomedil, benzopyrone, ginkgo biloba, green tea, caffeine and rutine), vitamins etc. Adverse effects can occur, such as severe inflammation of the skin, pain, redness or necrosis which can leave scars.

The adverse effects are local pain, the formation of hematomas, redness or even temporary spots.

The ingredients used in the composition of these injectable products vary: aminophylline, hormones, enzymes, plant extracts, vitamins and minerals, etc. Adverse effects can occur, such as significant inflammation of the skin, pain, redness or a necrosis that can leave scars.

Micro-needling

It is a treatment consisting of pricking the skin by means of a roller covered with micro-needles (measuring between 1 and 2,5 mm) in stainless steel in order to induce the production of collagen under the skin, but also sometimes to aid the penetration of substances into the skin.

The doctor applies a cream anesthetic about 1 / 2h before the session, removes the cream, disinfects the skin and passes the roller in four different directions (horizontal, vertical, two diagonals) several times to form a bloody dew. It can then pass a slightly irritating product in cream more often.

The frequency of sessions can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

Radio frequency

Radio frequency is a form of electromagnetic energy (alternating current several million times per second) creating an electric field through the skin and movement of particles in this field. Like ultrasound, this generates heat in the skin, which reduces the volume of fat cells.

Radiofrequency devices (ThermaCool®, VelaSmooth® or the Accent®) can be coupled to a suction and vacuum system as in the Aluma® or the Reaction TM System®. Some devices combine fractional radiofrequency and ultrasound, such as Legato®, which helps the penetration of substances into the skin.

Adverse effects are uncommon and often not bothersome (feeling of irritation, swelling, etc.) but may take longer to resolve (purpura, burns, etc.) or even cause real scars when using high energies.

Laser

These are low energy lasers that stimulate collagen production. Lasers against cellulite often also have a massaging and suction effect. Mention may be made of Triactive®, most often used twice a week for one to two months.

Liposuction

It is a surgical treatment consisting of a superficial liposuction which is less and less used against cellulite because of the risk of side effects superior to other techniques.

Plastic surgery

Un redrapage skin of the thighs, to stretch the skin, can remove some of the cellulite. However, this procedure leaves scars in the groin, thighs or waist.

La fat transplant (Liposculpture), which is normally used to correct the defects left by liposuction, can also alleviate cellulite. The transplant is done by injection. Fat is sucked from the belly area to be injected into the area affected by cellulite.