Bring the cellulite to the surface: does this phrase mean anything?

Bring the cellulite to the surface: does this phrase mean anything?

The beauty industry is full of myths and inaccuracies and the field of cellulite reduction even more so. But this must be the stupidest thing I have heard: “This treatment moves the cellulite to the surface” from where it is (apparently) easier to remove. This gem has been uttered by a member of the “clinical training” team of a (pretty good) machine manufacturer. Now let’s make it clear once and for all: cellulite is a tissue. It cannot move deep into the body, it cannot move to the surface and in general it cannot not go anywhere. Cellulite doesn’t travel…

For non-surgical breast lift, it is the décolletage area that must be treated with RF

For non-surgical breast lift, it is the décolletage area that must be treated with RF

Breast firmness and perkiness depends mainly on two things: breast skin and Cooper’s ligaments. Together these two connective tissues help to maintain the shape and structural integrity of your breasts. Skin supports and keeps breast lifted from the outside, while Cooper’s ligaments (also known as the suspensory ligaments of Cooper or the fibrocollagenous septa of the breast) keep breast lifted from the inside. Younger breasts also have a higher proportion of breast tissue, as opposed to fat, and that also helps add to breast firmness by maintaining ‘turgidity’…

Does cavitation work on visceral fat (deep belly fat)?

Does cavitation work on visceral fat (deep belly fat)?

Visceral fat is the fat responsible for the so-called “beer belly” look. It is also the most unhealthy fat you can have, as it increases the risk if diabetes and cardiovascular disease. So it is no wonder people ask whether they can reduce visceral fat with any method. However, as we can see healthy eating, weight loss and exercise (and lately anti-diabetic injections) are the only ways to reduce visceral fat…

Does walking help cellulite?

Does walking help cellulite?

Exercise is essential to prevent and reduce cellulite, independently of healthy diet. In fact, both healthy nutrition AND exercise are needed to prevent and reduce cellulite. Exercise, such as walking, does burn calories and does increase your metabolic rate, thereby burning more calories. However, it is actually easier and more effective to burn calories by dieting than by exercising. So why do we need exercise, in addition to dieting? The main reason exercise is needed, in addition to healthy eating, is because it contributes mechanical stimulation…

For cellulite reduction and skin tightening 12 sessions are ideally needed for best results

For cellulite reduction and skin tightening 12 sessions are ideally needed for best results

Why 12 (intensive but SAFE) sessions are necessary for cellulite reduction and skin tightening. In aesthetics there are currently two methods to effect skin tightening and cellulite reduction. The stimulative method is safe, pain-free and effective, as long as it’s strong (but never excessive), and as long as treatments are regularly repeated. As multiple treatments are needed, prices should be moderate. Typical examples…

Tried RF microneedling for cellulite? Didn’t work? Perhaps you should try a safer, less hyped-up, more effective alternative.

Tried RF microneedling for cellulite? Didn’t work? Perhaps you should try a safer, less hyped-up, more effective alternative.

The last few years there is the generalised perception by the public that if a procedure is very painful, very medicalised, very unsafe, very hyped up, very “instant”, very expensive or all the above, the rewards of taking the risk with such a procedure will be higher and cellulite or skin looseness will apparently disappear “forever” (there is no forever in this universe, let alone the human body). RF microneedling fits all the above requirements and people flock to have it for both body and face. Hence all the RF microneedling horror stories in the media lately, including one of the latest RF microneedling disaster stories here…

Can you do too much radiofrequency?

Can you do too much radiofrequency?

Too much radiofrequency treatment can refer to three things: too strong treatment; treatment taken too often; too many sessions. High intensity, deep-acting radiofrequency is the strongest SAFE skin tightening and cellulite removal treatment available today, and aims to naturally stimulate collagen synthesis, collagen contraction, lipolysis and circulation with intensive - but never excessive - deep heat. With such radiofrequency all you feel during treatment is deep heat in your hypodermis and dermis, i.e. the deeper skin layers…

Cellulite all over the body: how is this possible?

Cellulite all over the body: how is this possible?

This is a common question: “I thought that cellulite only affects the thighs and bum, how come I have it on my arms, stomach and back?” Indeed, cellulite primarily appears on back of thighs, front of thighs and buttocks. But it is sometimes is is also visible on the arms, calves, stomach, flanks, sides of back and even on the breasts. Why is this the case?

RF microneedling for fibrosis after vaser liposuction?

RF microneedling for fibrosis after vaser liposuction?

When you suffer from post-lipo fibrosis you want to have a treatment that actually breaks down fibrotic collagen (i.e. progressively stronger massage and/or ultrasound) rather than one that creates more fibrotic collagen. On the other hand, RF microneedling is also based on burning the skin at 60-90ºC (depending on the machine used) and creating not that well “controlled” fibrotic collagen/“neocollagenesis” on the hypodermis and dermis. There is a reason that microneedling is called ‘collagen induction therapy’ and RF microneedling goes one step further in producing fibrotic collagen by combining needling with extreme RF heat…

Ultrasonic cavitation for cellulite: how does it work?

Ultrasonic cavitation for cellulite: how does it work?

It is widely accepted today that high-power, low-frequency ultrasound treatment represents one of the few effective methods of cellulite reduction and, to a limited extent, subcutaneous fat reduction too. It often provides good results on its own, if the right equipment is used with the right protocols, and even better results when combined with high-power, deep-tissue radio frequency. But what is ultrasound cavitation and how does it work?

Machine or expertise: what is more important when you choose a cellulite treatment?

Machine or expertise: what is more important when you choose a cellulite treatment?

The best technologies for effective AND safe cellulite reduction are deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency and deep-acting, high-power ultrasound cavitation. However, RF and ultrasound machines come in all shapes and sizes. But then the same applies to knowledge and expertise. A good therapist can squeeze the most out of a mediocre machine. On the other hand, a bad therapist can underutilise a really good machine or - worse - cause…

Radiofrequency / cavitation treatment for larger sizes: most machines are simply inadequate

Radiofrequency / cavitation treatment for larger sizes: most machines are simply inadequate

Radiofrequency and ultrasound cavitation treatments, when provided with good equipment and by a well-trained, experienced and knowledgable therapist, remain THE best technologies for skin tightening and cellulite (far better and safer than HIFU and RF microneedling). However, most such machines available on the market are of low to very low power and are suited more to face treatments or to tiny body areas, than larger body areas…

Obesity is now a major driver of cellulite worldwide

Obesity is now a major driver of cellulite worldwide

At the time of first writing this article (February 2024) it was revealed that obesity worldwide has surpassed the 1 billion mark. In the last three decades obesity has increased 4x among children and 2x among adults. Furthermore, more than 2.5 billion adults are overweight, worldwide. On this blog we have maintained that cellulite is a Western civilisation aesthetic condition that is not found in developing countries, where people consume more natural foods and where physical activity comprises a large part of people's days.

Ultra-processed foods and cellulite

Ultra-processed foods and cellulite

At the time of first writing this article (February 2024) a lot has been written about how ultra-processed foods can cause heart disease, cancer and undermine health overall. But what about cellulite? We have made it clear on this blog that there is a big overlap between Western civilisation diseases (diabetes, heart disease, cancer etc) and cellulite. Sure, cellulite does not kill but the same things that cause these diseases to a large extent also cause cellulite. There is no complete overlap but there is a quite extensive one. Ultra-processed foods (UPF), i.e. the exact opposite for fresh, clean foods, rob food from all its nutrients to leave almost empty calories and various chemicals…

I’m currently losing weight, how often should I have skin tightening treatment to avoid skin looseness?

I’m currently losing weight, how often should I have skin tightening treatment to avoid skin looseness?

Weight gain leads to excess skin to accommodate the extra fat volume. As a result, when weight is lost skin looks loose. The best way to prevent skin laxity after weight loss is to have a skin tightening treatment whilst you lose weight. Of course, if you have already lost the weight and have skin laxity, you can always have a course of treatments then, but it is always best to arrive at your ideal weight with the least possible skin laxity. The most effective SAFE skin tightening technology is deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency…

What is worse for cellulite, fat or sugar?

What is worse for cellulite, fat or sugar?

This is a common question, both for cellulite prevention and overall health as well and the answer could not be other than a straightforward, sugar is worse than fat for cellulite. Firstly, there are good fats, i.e. omega-3 fatty acids (flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, oily fish etc), which are protective. Furthermore, neutral fats (e.g. extra virgin olive oil, nuts, avocado) are fine as long as they are not over-consumed…

Does radiofrequency kill fat cells? The facts and the myths.

Does radiofrequency kill fat cells? The facts and the myths.

The fact is the properly applied STIMULATIVE radiofrequency / ultrasound cavitation can both lead to adipocyte apoptosis, i.e. programmed cell death of fat cells. This is fat cell death that gradually happens over days and weeks with a course of SAFE treatments provided under the pain threshold (less than 41-43ºC on the skin surface or 43-47ºC in the deeper skin layers). This ensures safety of all other tissues, except fat cells, and in fact also stimulates fibroblast (collagen cell) function, which leads to skin tightening, especially with RF.