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Probiotics and cellulite

Probiotics and cellulite

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria and yeast that are friendly to body tissues and assist our bodies in many ways, including resistance to harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes; facilitation of gut function; metabolism of foods; immune system modulation; inflammation reduction and more. Examples include acidophilus, bifidobacteria, saccharomyces boulardii and more. Probiotics are found in…

Hypermobility, skin looseness and cellulite

Hypermobility, skin looseness and cellulite

Hypermobility is a broad term to describe loose connective tissue which is characterised by weaker/less collagen. This results not only in loose joints but also in loose, thin skin. So hypermobile / very flexible people tend to suffer from skin laxity from young age but especially so from their 40s and 50s, when collagen production decreases. Females suffer more from hypermobility, due to to the action of estrogen on connective tissue. Hypermobility in females increases just before their period and also in the latter…

Why do older women have more cellulite?

Why do older women have more cellulite?

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…

Targeting the SMAS with RF microneedling, HIFU or radiofrequency: what a stupid idea

Targeting the SMAS with RF microneedling, HIFU or radiofrequency: what a stupid idea

Everyone interested in facial anti-ageing these days is talking about the SMAS. Suddenly everyone is an (ignorant) “expert” in the SMAS, just like everyone interested in cellulite or massage suddenly became an (ignorant) “expert” in all things fascia a few years ago. But what is the SMAS, why is everyone talking about it and why is it not such a great idea to target it non-surgically?

Skin looseness in slim women

Skin looseness in slim women

Skin looseness in slim women occurs mainly due to two factors. Genetics: Tall, slim people in general tend to have more loose connective tissue. This means better flexibility but also more skin looseness. In the younger years this connective tissue looseness goes unnoticed. But as we get older, and collagen levels start to decline, skin laxity becomes more obvious. Strict dieting or…

Does fibrosis always occur after lipo?

Does fibrosis always occur after lipo?

Fibrosis (i.e. internal scar tissue) is the result of inflammation. Not all Inflammation results in fibrosis, but quite often it does. Fibrosis after liposuction surgery can happen as a result of: Mechanical trauma, i.e. the movement of the liposuction cannula under the skin. This usually manifests as fibrous nodules (i.e. bumps / hard lumps) or occasional adhesions (skin stuck to underlying tissues and inhibiting movement / causing pain during movement). This kind of fibrosis is inadvertent…

Lipolysis vs adipolysis: what is the difference?

Lipolysis vs adipolysis: what is the difference?

You may have seen the terms adipolysis and lipolysis in marketing blurb of different cellulite / fat reduction treatments or even in scientific literature. And you may have correctly got the general impression that they both mean fat loss. But if they both mean fat reduction, why the two different words? The answer is: because those two words mean actually two different things.

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…

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

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

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…

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…

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…