BEACHY LEGS

Can acoustic wave therapy (AWT) cure lipedema?

Can acoustic wave therapy (AWT) cure lipedema?

We had a question by a website visitor a few weeks ago: “Thank you for your ‘Acoustic wave therapy for cellulite: does it work?’ page. What about lipedema (lipoedema)? If it doesn't work on soft fat, what about the hard fat that forms from lipedema? I have lipoedema, as do 1/10 women. I'm not sure what stage, as doctors don't know much about it. Just wondering if you have tried AWT on lipedema, as there is no research so far.” I have to say this is a very smart question and (unless ones has specifically studied the anatomy of adipose tissue and the science of AWT) makes a lot of sense. However, the devil is always in the detail. So let’s look at the details.

Does liposuction get rid of cellulite?

Does liposuction get rid of cellulite?

To understand whether liposuction can help with cellulite we have to know what kind of fat liposuction removes and what kind of fat cellulite is made of. In addition to deep fat, found deep inside the stomach (visceral fat) and intramuscular fat, found inside muscles (as in “marble fat” in steaks), there are two other types of fat on the human body which are found on the surface of the body: subcutaneous fat, which is found under the skin; and hypodermal and dermal fat, which is found inside the skin…

What is cellulite and how to reduce it

What is cellulite and how to reduce it

There is ridiculous misinformation on cellulite in the media. Instagram, blogs, newspapers, glossy magazines, clinic/beauty salon websites and even cellulite equipment and cellulite cream manufacturer websites offer such gems as “cellulite is toxins”, “cellulite is just fat”, “cellulite does not exist”, “cellulite is natural”, “cellulite is normal”, “cellulite is just fascia”, “cellulite is just water retention”, “90% of women in the world have cellulite” etc etc…

Radio frequency facial vs classic facial: what is best?

Radio frequency facial vs classic facial: what is best?

It all depends on what you are trying to achieve with a facial. If you wish to have some exfoliation, pimple extraction, some superficial (epidermal) skincare application of a couple of products and a nice massage, a classic facial is a great idea. On the other hand, if you are looking for deeper treatment that affects the dermis, hypodermis and the lower face connective tissue known as the SMAS, in order to effect skin tightening and deep anti-ageing, then a radiofrequency facial is the only way to go…

Cellulite is an inflammatory fat tissue, similar to visceral fat

Cellulite is an inflammatory fat tissue, similar to visceral fat

Of course cellulite does NOT protect from stroke and dementia (contrary to tabloid clickbait articles). Visceral fat is an inflammatory fat tissue that can cause conditions such as stroke and dementia, while subcutaneous fat is more innocuous. However, cellulite is NOT subcutaneous fat…

The ultimate anti-cellulite drinks (II): vegetable juices and berry smoothies

The ultimate anti-cellulite drinks (II): vegetable juices and berry smoothies

Vegetable juices/smoothies and berry smoothies contain highly concentrated collagen-protecting, blood vessel-supporting, fat-fighting polyphenols and carotenoids (plus vitamins, of course) and negligible calories. Concentrated polyphenols and carotenoids, both found in vegetable juices and smoothies, are known for their anti-inflammatory, anti-glycation…

“Melt the (body) fat”: does that phrase mean anything?

“Melt the (body) fat”: does that phrase mean anything?

Can a treatment/special garment melt the fat which can then naturally removed through the kidneys into the urine. Absolutely not. Phrases like those are total garbage and would make any biologist laugh out loud. Yet they are churned out en masse on the internet by ignorant bloggers, influencers, “journalists”, beauty therapists and even medical aesthetic specialists, who do not even know the most basic biology…

Compression stockings versus polyphenols from gotu kola, horse chestnut, pine bark and citrus fruits for cellulite and water retention

Compression stockings versus polyphenols from gotu kola, horse chestnut, pine bark and citrus fruits for cellulite and water retention

Graduated compression stockings can offer some relief from water retention, however there are quite uncomfortable, especially in the summer, when they are most needed. For cellulite, things are even more complicated, as compression leggings helps in some ways and are detrimental in some others. Clearly there must be a better way…

HIIT, interval training and uphill interval running: the best types of cellulite exercise

HIIT, interval training and uphill interval running: the best types of cellulite exercise

Interval training is by far the best form of exercise for cellulite reduction and prevention. This is because during the bursts of high intensity activity you burn calories very fast - much faster than you would with slow intensity work. In addition, those bursts act as a shock on the endocrine system and boost your metabolism much more effectively than slow intensity exercise, so you continue to burn calories after your training session…

Is cellulite permanent? Is there any permanent treatment for cellulite?

Is cellulite permanent? Is there any permanent treatment for cellulite?

This is a common question many people ask about cellulite treatments or creams. Unfortunately, many people believe that by some kind of very expensive magic they can create permanence on their legs when nothing, absolutely nothing in the entire universe, life overall and human life is permanent…

Why gotu kola (centella asiatica) is the ultimate cellulite cream active

Why gotu kola (centella asiatica) is the ultimate cellulite cream active

After 20 years in anti-cellulite cream formulating, if I had to choose one anti-cellulite active ingredient that would be high-purity centella asiatica extract, i.e. one that contains 95%+ Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside and, if possible, Madecassoside. These four triterpenes are the active molecules that give gotu kola / centella asiatica its anti-cellulite (and anti-ageing) properties and are extensively researched for multi-functional action against all seven aspects of cellulite: skin laxity, water retention, fat accumulation, glycation, oxidative damage, inflammation and fibrosis…

Why does cellulite get worse with age?

Why does cellulite get worse with age?

Although cellulite can start at quite young age - almost as soon as the onset of puberty at around 13 - it is more prevalent at older ages, and its appearance also worsens with age. At our clinic we see more and more clients as age progresses up to the age of about 65 when interest in cellulite reduction declines, for different reasons, even though it becomes more progressed. There are two main reasons why cellulite becomes more common / more severe with age…

Laser and red/infrared LED light therapy vs radiofrequency and cavitation for skin tightening and cellulite

Laser and red/infrared LED light therapy vs radiofrequency and cavitation for skin tightening and cellulite

Which is better for body skin tightening and cellulite: laser or radio frequency? Absolutely NOT laser. Laser is way too superficial and also pointless for skin tightening or cellulite. There are two types of lasers: strong, ablative, lasers aim to burn the surface of the skin to stimulate new epidermal growth. Cellulite, however, is found at the deepest layer of the skin (hypodermis), not the most superficial (epidermis), so ablative lasers do not work for cellulite at all…

Deep tissue radiofrequency: the only RF worth having for cellulite and skin tightening

Deep tissue radiofrequency: the only RF worth having for cellulite and skin tightening

We place repeated emphasis on “deep tissue radiofrequency” because most radio frequency treatments are just too superficial for the purposes of of skin tightening and cellulite reduction, and therefore quite ineffective…

Green tea vs turmeric vs high flavanol cocoa for cellulite reduction and prevention

Green tea vs turmeric vs high flavanol cocoa for cellulite reduction and prevention

Most people looking into popular superfood ingredients, especially turmeric, matcha tea and cocoa, to help them detox their body, either from the festive excesses in the winter or to get ready for summer in the spring. Being big proponents of natural health and specifically polyphenol-rich herbs, we have looked into the benefits and nutrient content of each of these popular superfoods and has come to some interesting findings.

Salt, potassium, water retention and cellulite

Salt, potassium, water retention and cellulite

It is widely known that in the Western world and with our industrialised food supply we consume way too much salt (sodium chloride), and therefore sodium. Our body removes excess water from the body by filtering blood through the kidneys. A high sodium intake causes the kidneys to remove less water resulting in higher blood pressure and water retention. As water retention is an important aspect of cellulite, this means that a high salt intake can increase the appearance of cellulite.

Why do you have to drink water after cavitation / radiofrequency treatment?

Why do you have to drink water after cavitation / radiofrequency treatment?

The “Drink lots of water after your treatment”, however, is the most vacuous thing heard at aesthetic clinics and beauty salons up and down the country. There is no specific reason to do so after any treatment - definitely not “to flush out the toxins out of the system after treatment”. This is not how biology works…

Collagen, skin tightening and cellulite

Collagen, skin tightening and cellulite

Many of our clients ask us a lot of questions relating to skin firmness: collagen, elastin, skin tightness, skin elasticity, collagen powders, skin tightening treatments and creams, how to increase skin elasticity, and of course, cellulite. Here is a concise guide on collagen, elastin and how these proteins affect skin firmness, elasticity and cellulite. Skin is made primarily of rigid protein-based fibres such as collagen and fibronectin and elastic protein-based fibres, such as elastin and fibrillin. Collagen and fibronectin give firmness/tightness to skin and other tissues, while elastin and fibrillin provide elasticity.

Retinol vs. cellulite: the hype that won’t smooth away

Retinol vs. cellulite: the hype that won’t smooth away

Does retinol work for cellulite? It’s a very common question that keeps surfacing among those desperate to smooth out dimpled skin. People ask it all the time, lured by retinol’s skincare fame. For more than two decades, it’s been a staple in cellulite creams, yet the results remain minimal. However, on its own, retinol is ineffective for cellulite reduction, and even the hype around it can’t change that fact. Let’s break down why this ingredient keeps coming up short…

How glycation causes cellulite (and skin aging)

How glycation causes cellulite (and skin aging)

Glycation is the attachment of sugars to proteins and lipids, leading to what are called ‘Advanced Glycation End-products’ (AGEs in shirt). The consequent damage of those proteins/lipids, especially collagen and elastin, leads to inflammation, free radical formation / oxidative damage and fibrosis, all of which accelerate aging…