There is a network of connective-tissue strands present beneath the skin that holds the fat in place. These are known as septae. In case the septae become loose, which often happens due to genetics, the fat begins to bulge out, creating unsightly ripples on the skin’s surface. This is known as cellulite.

Cellulite can affect various areas of the body such as the thighs, booty or stomach. It doesn’t matter whether you are size zero or close to becoming obese, cellulite can occur in anyone. Also, it is more common in women than in men.

The wide occurrence of this has led to the advent of many cellulite treatments.

Some effective cellulite treatments

Cellfina ^®
This is the first and perhaps the only FDA-approved minimally invasive cellulite treatment that is shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite for a minimum period of 2 years. The treatment can be easily performed at one’s dermatologist’s office.

In this, the specialist uses a distinctive needle-sized device to cut out a section of septae that holds the body’s fat together to smooth out dimpling. This is a one-step procedure that offers visible results in about a week.

The only downside of this treatment is that it is expensive.

VelaShape
This is another non-invasive and effective cellulite treatment option that makes use of a handheld device that emits infrared light rays and bi-polar radio frequency energies to contour the body and reduce fat layers. The process involves gently heating the fat cells and the surrounding tissues to minimize the appearance of cellulite.

In this, the results begin to appear after four treatments. It is mostly performed for reducing cellulite on the thighs, back of the thighs, abdomen area, and the butts. Even though it is less expensive in comparison to Cellfina ^® , it takes more time and one needs to keep getting it done every 3 months to maintain the results.

Cellulite creams
If you are looking for easy, at-home cellulite treatments, using cellulite creams is a great option. These readily available over-the-counter creams contain a unique formulation of ingredients that help to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

There are mostly two types of creams. One contains caffeine that dehydrates the fat cells and provides a temporary tightening effect, making the cellulite appear less prominent, and the other contains vitamin A derivatives that thicken the outer skin layer over time, again making the lumps less visible.

These two main ingredients can be combined with other essential constituents such as vitamin C or gingko, to improve overall circulation and tighten the skin.

The only snag of using these creams is that they only make the cellulite look less noticeable, instead of actually treating it and making it disappear.

Dry brushing
This is another effective cellulite treatment that involves scrubbing the affected area with a stiff-bristled brush. In this, an upward brushing stroke is performed on the cellulite-ridden area to activate the lymphatic system and exfoliate the skin to improve circulation, which in turns reduces the appearance of ripples.

The treatment is a simple home remedy for combating cellulite. But in some cases, this technique may trigger skin irritation or infection.

Exercise
Exercise is a great way to make the body muscles tighter and smoother. Regular exercises can help in replacing fat with muscles that can make the cellulite much less prominent. There are a variety of cellulite exercises for thighs that can help in getting rid of the unpleasant dimples in the front and back of thighs and butts.

Cellulaze
Cellulaze is a minimally invasive laser treatment that involves breaking down the cellulite structure beneath the skin. It is quite similar to Cellfina ^® . But instead of blades, it uses a bi-directional beam to cut the trouble-causing septae and liquefy the fat cells to reduce cellulite.

When the laser is directed to the affected area, the energy emitted helps in breaking tough bands under the skin’s surface that create cellulite. The treatment also results in the thickening of the skin and the increase in the collagen production that further assists in the treatment of the condition.

In this case, the results are anticipated to last for over a year.

Consulting a dermatologist
A dermatologist can help one in the overall understanding of skin and what lies beneath it. It is advisable to consult a dermatologist before opting for any cellulite treatment to learn about its possible consequences. Depending upon one’s specific skin type and condition, a dermatologist can help in choosing the most effective cellulite treatment.