How do you get rid of cellulite? It can be very tricky. Sometimes, you can reduce cellulite with intensive exercise or weight loss. Yet, often, cellulite will stick around even if you have very little excess fat. This is because cellulite can be the result of unlucky genetics, hormonal conditions, or aging. However, there are several excellent med spa treatments that can help you reduce or eliminate even the most stubborn cellulite. In this post, we’ll cover three of our favorite non-surgical cosmetic treatments for cellulite: Sculptra, Kybella, and Thermitight.
What is Cellulite?
To help you understand how Sculptra, Kybella, and Thermitight can treat cellulite, let’s first talk about what cellulite is. We all know what cellulite looks like on the outside: dimpling in the skin. But what is the root cause of cellulite? It’s overstretched fibrous tissue.
Fibrous tissue is what holds our muscles to our skin. When our fibrous tissue becomes tight, it strains the fat that lies in between the muscle and the skin, which causes the dimpled look of cellulite. Weight gain can cause a tightening of the fibrous tissue, as an increase in fat can cause fibrous tissue to become more strained. However, there are numerous other reasons the fibrous tissue can be tight, including genetics, hormones, and aging.
Now that you understand what causes cellulite, let’s talk about three different ways to treat it.
Sculptra for Cellulite Treatment
Treatment Type: Long-Lasting Filler
Treats Cellulite By: Evening Out Depressed Areas and Relaxing Overstretched Fibrous Tissue
Sculptra is a long-lasting injectable filler that contains poly-L-lactic acid. Unlike many other fillers, which plump the skin with hyaluronic acid, Sculptra works by stimulating the body’s own collagen production. During a Sculptra treatment, poly-L-lactic acid is injected into the skin, which stimulates collagen growth. This collagen growth causes the skin to become more even, smooth, and firm.
When Sculptra is used to treat cellulite, it is strategically injected into the depressed pockets of fat that give cellulite its signature “dimpled” look. Then, the treated area is massaged, which evenly spreads out the Sculptra suspension. The active ingredient in Sculptra then begins to stimulate collagen growth in the treatment area, filling these depressed pockets. Additionally, the injection process used to administer Sculptra releases and relaxes the overstretched fibrous tissue. So Sculptra reduces the appearance of cellulite by both filling depressed areas and relaxing the fibrous tissue that causes these depressions.
Because Sculptra works through stimulating collagen growth, it takes a bit of time to start seeing results. It can take several months to see the full results of Sculptra. However, Sculptra also lasts for far longer than other fillers. The results of Sculptra can last for up to 3 to 5 years.
Kybella for Cellulite Treatment
Kybella Treatment Before & After
Treatment Type: Fat Dissolving Injectable Treatment
Treats Cellulite By: Dissolving Fat That Causes Cellulite
Kybella is an injectable fat dissolving treatment. The active ingredient in Kybella is a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, the naturally occurring substance in our body that works to dissolve and break down fat.
While Kybella is best known as a treatment for submental fullness (also known as a “double chin”), it can also an excellent treatment for cellulite. When Kybella is injected into fat, it dissolves it. If the fibrous tissue is strained because of excess fat, reducing this fat using Kybella can greatly improve or completely eliminate the appearance of cellulite.
After fat cells have been targeted and removed by Kybella, they do not come back. This means that, provided a patient does not gain weight after receiving Kybella, the results of Kybella can be permanent.
Thermitight for Cellulite Treatment
Treatment Type: Tightening Heat Treatment
Treats Cellulite By: Breaking Up Overstretched Fibrous Tissue and Melting Fat
Thermitight is a treatment that works through the application of radio frequency heat energy. Thermitight is best known for for its skin tightening properties. However, it can also treat the root cause of cellulite: overstretched fibrous tissue.
When the heat of Thermitight is applied to the body, it can break up the tension in overstretched fibrous tissue bands. This causes them to relax, reducing or eliminating the dimpled look of cellulite. Additionally, the heat from Thermitight causes some fat reduction. So Thermitight can simultaneously reduce fat pockets, which will lessen the appearance of cellulite.
Which Cellulite Treatment is Right for You?
Sculptra, Kybella, and Thermitight are all excellent options for treating cellulite. But which of these cellulite treatments is right for you? Well, it depends. These three treatments can all reduce or eliminate cellulite. Yet, they work very differently. The right treatment for you— the one that may be most effective— will depend on your unique body and your goals for your treatment.
To find out which cellulite treatment is right for you, contact us today to make a consultation appointment. At your appointment, Dr. Zadeh will examine your body, learn about your desired aesthetic results, and help you decide which cellulite treatment would be best for you.