BEACHY LEGS

Fibrosis, cellulite and fibrous cellulite: what is the connection?

Fibrosis, cellulite and fibrous cellulite: what is the connection?

Fibrosis is one of the most important aspects of cellulite, together with fat accumulation, water retention, inflammation and skin laxity. Fibrosis in cellulite refers to excess accumulation and contraction of collagen in the skin ligaments (retinaculae, also known as septae) that connect skin with the fascia underneath. Fibrosis occurs at the deepest skin layer called the hypodermis…

Does coolsculpting get rid of cellulite? Facts vs marketing hype.

Does coolsculpting get rid of cellulite? Facts vs marketing hype.

This a common question we are asked at the clinic. Coolsculpting is the most well-known example of cryolipolysis technology. Cryolipolysis aims to lead to subcutaneous adipose tissue adipolysis (i.e. fat cell death) with the application of extreme cold. Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) is the fat tissue UNDER the skin, while cellulite is fat tissue inside the skin (hypodermis), so by definition cryolipolysis / coolsculpting do NOT remove cellulite.

How many RF sessions are needed for cellulite removal / skin tightening?

How many RF sessions are needed for cellulite removal / skin tightening?

There are three types of radiofrequency. The one that works and is safe, i.e. deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency. The one that doesn’t work, i.e. superficially-acting and/or low-power radiofrequency. And the unsafe - yet still ineffective…

What exactly is an anti-cellulite cream?

What exactly is an anti-cellulite cream?

So this is what makes a cellulite cream: a fast absorbable cream formulation with - ideally a high concentration of) anti-cellulite active ingredients in it. It’s as simple as that. Without anti-cellulite active ingredients - or with very little in the way of active ingredients - we are talking about a simple body moisturiser. I am sorry to break it to you, but 99% of the so-called cellulite creams on the market are exactly that, basically a body moisturiser…

How crash dieting and yo-yo dieting cause cellulite and skin looseness

How crash dieting and yo-yo dieting cause cellulite and skin looseness

Yo-yo dieting is defined as the cyclical weight gain and loss. Cyclical weight loss and gain unavoidable leads to increasingly higher body fat content, loose skin and cellulite. When we put on weight we mainly put on fat. When we lose weight, we do lose fat but we also quite a lot of protein: muscle, skin and even bone protein. When we put on weight again we mainly put on fat and almost never regain the full amount of previous muscle, skin and bone protein. This is because…

Escin may reduce water retention and cellulite due to an anti-inflammatory effect

Escin may reduce water retention and cellulite due to an anti-inflammatory effect

Escin may reduce inflammation and oedema by acting as a steroid - without the side effects of steroids. This paper states “the anti-inflammatory effects of escin were related to down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators (ie, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-1β), through the increased expression of the glucocorticoid receptor”. In plain English this means that the horse chestnut extract escin (and most probably its chemical cousin esculin, which has similar activity) acts on the same receptor that corticosteroids act.

RF microneedling for cellulite and skin tightening: does it work?

RF microneedling for cellulite and skin tightening: does it work?

Microneedling radiofrequency is based on damaging skin with both excessive high intensity RF and the actual needles, hoping cellulite fat tissue will be broken and dissolved and that skin will repair itself and build scar tissue, which will will to skin tightening. As it aims to cause damage, this technique is inherently…