Can fat freezing reduce cellulite?

Can fat freezing reduce cellulite?

Cryolipolysis, or fat freezing as it is better known, is an effective non-surgical method of reducing areas of stubborn fat on the belly, thighs and arms. But what does it do for stubborn cellulite? Many people find themselves looking desperately for a solution to the frustrating dimpling and lumpiness of cellulite and believe that fat freezing can help. However, there is only so much that cryolipolysis can do for cellulite, which is a skin condition rather than an issue of excess fat.

What does cryolipolysis do?

Cryolipolysis is the process of applying precisely controlled cool temperatures
to targeted areas of the body in order to destroy fat cells. The body then
breaks down waste from these destroyed cells and the fat is permanently removed
from the targeted area. Fat freezing provides natural yet noticeable results
and is particularly popular on areas like the thighs, buttocks, love handles,
tummy and upper arms (often known as bingo wings).

What does fat freezing do for cellulite?

Fat freezing can help to improve the appearance of cellulite a little, but it
does not eradicate it. People who are interested in having stubborn fat removed
from areas in which they also have cellulite might find that the skin appears
smoother and less dimpled, but their cellulite will not completely go away.

For this reason, cryolipolysis is not recommended as a treatment for cellulite,
nor is it clinically proven as a cellulite treatment. You should not undergo
fat freezing treatment if your primary goal is cellulite removal as it is
highly unlikely that you will get the results you are hoping for. If, however,
you want to remove stubborn fat in an area where you also have cellulite, you
might find as an added bonus to fat reduction that your skin is a little less
lumpy and dimpled.

But isn’t cellulite caused by excess fat?

It is a common misconception that cellulite occurs solely as a result of excess
fat. Although it is unknown exactly what causes cellulite, we do know that it
is a skin problem rather than a body fat problem. Our skin is tethered to our
underlying muscles by way of fibrous connective cords, with a layer of fat
cells sitting in between these two layers. Cellulite occurs when the fat cells
push up against the surface of the skin while the fibrous cords pull the skin
down toward the muscle. This creates an uneven, dimpled surface on the skin.

Excess or enlarged fat cells only play part of the role in creating cellulite.
It is thought that another contributing factor is the fibrous connective cords
becoming too rigid and inflexible, or a depletion in collagen levels which
makes the skin and surrounding tissues thinner and less elastic. It is also
thought that fluid, waste and toxins become trapped beneath the surface of the
skin and contribute to the push and pull effect of the skin and connective
cords. Since far more than just fat is at play in areas affected by cellulite,
removing fat cells via fat freezing is not enough to completely eradicate the
dimpling of the skin.

What are some effective treatments for cellulite?

There is no single treatment that can completely eradicate cellulite, but the
following might help:

– Lotions and creams

There are plenty of cellulite-targeting lotions and creams available which can
either temporarily or gradually reduce the appearance of skin dimpling. Some
contain caffeine which works to dehydrate cells and make cellulite less
obvious, but these must be applied every day to maintain results. Others
contain retinol which can help to thicken the skin and make cellulite look less
obvious, but they take six months or more to work with daily application.

– Laser treatments

Some laser treatments are available which work to break down the tough cords connecting the skin and the muscle in order to reduce the look of cellulite. Laser therapies can also help to stimulate collagen production and thicken the skin,
which can help the skin to appear smoother and less lumpy.

– Tissue release procedures

There are some surgical tissue release procedures available that can help with cellulite. Needles or small blades are inserted beneath the skin to cut through the tough, fibrous cords which pull the skin down. This allows the tissues between the muscle and skin to move upward and fill out the dimpled areas of skin. Although the effects of this treatment can last for several years, they are not permanent as the connective bands will begin to regrow and strengthen over time.

– Weight loss

Cellulite often looks more visible in those who are carrying excess weight. By
losing weight the appearance of cellulite might become less pronounced, but it may not completely go away. Many people who have cellulite are already a
healthy weight which goes to show that weight and excess fat are only part of
the story when it comes to causes of cellulite.

– Exercise

Not only can exercise aid with weight loss in those who are carrying excess
fat, but it can also help the skin to look smoother and firmer as muscle builds
up beneath the skin. For those who are not overweight, exercise can help them to replace fat with muscle which might also improve the appearance of
cellulite.

Book cryolipolysis Manchester-based

If you’re dealing with stubborn fat and cellulite and want to know what kind of
results you could expect with fat freezing, consider booking a consultation at
Cypress Quay. We’ll give you all the information you need about cryolipolysis so that you can understand what kind of results you can expect. Fat freezing won’t work wonders on cellulite, but it can certainly help to reduce that stubborn fat and give you a boost of confidence.