Cellulite is a bumpy “cottage cheese” appearance of your skin commonly seen on the thighs and buttocks. It can occur in both heavy and thin people but happens more often to women than to men.
Cellulite occurs when compartments of fat cells swell and push out the overlying skin (see image below). The fat compartments are separated by connective tissue which attaches to the skin and withdraws the skin causing the lumpy “cottage cheese” appearance of cellulite.
It’s a condition that many people live with but there are treatments available as well as different methods for addressing it.
Risk Factors
The following conditions are associated with the development of cellulite:
- Poor diet
- Slow metabolism
- Dehydration
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Fad dieting
- Hormonal changes
- Thickness/color of your skin – it’s accentuated by thinner and lighter skin
While anyone can have cellulite, the most effective treatment if you are overweight is to lose weight and improve your muscular tone. Improving your cardio, exercising with light weights and toning your legs, hips and buttocks may help shed extra pounds and thin the layer of fat giving you a smoother and less bumpy appearance.
Treatment of Cellulite 
While there are a variety of treatments for this, we have had great success with Velashape. Velashape is a non-invasive body contouring treatment which we use to treat both circumferential fat (abdominal and thigh) as well as cellulite.
The treatment is FDA cleared for the temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite.
Velashape typically requires 6 weekly treatments and can be used on the following areas of the body:
- Under the chin
- Arms
- Thighs
- Buttocks
- Flank
- Abdomen
Velashape uses a combination of infrared light, radio frequency and vacuum to reduce circumferential fat and the appearance of cellulite. This combination allows for more effective treatment of the fat cells without damaging the skin.
Additionally, the treatment is painless, requires no anesthesia and there is zero downtime for recovery.
Velashape is most effective with a BMI (Body Mass Index ) of less than 30 and Nurnberger-Muller Cellulite Classification Stage 1 and Stage 2. These assessments can be performed at the time of your consultation.
Classification of Cellulite
The Nurnberger-Muller Classification is summarized below. The test is based upon when the classic “cottage cheese” or “orange peel” dimpling appears.
- Stage 1 – No dimpling standing or lying down however the pinch test reveals “orange peel” appearance.
- Stage 2 – “Orange peel” appearance develops when standing, not lying
- Stage 3 – “Orange peel” appears both standing and lying
If you would like to schedule an appointment, PLEASE CALL (240-401-4230) or EMAIL US!
We look forward to seeing you!
Your Docs at Renew You
Aesthetic Medicine
Rockville, Maryland