Cellulite and oxidative stress: what is the connection?

• Free radical damage and cellulite

• How can oxidative stress lead to cellulite

• What causes free radical damage

• How to minimise oxidative stress on the skin with antioxidants

• The most important antioxidants against cellulite and skin ageing

• Lifestyle, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidants: Back and Forth in the Pathophysiology of Chronic Diseases

• Have a skin tightening/cellulite treatment in London with the experts

• Advanced, infrared / red light therapy treatments in London at LipoTherapeia

• Discover our professional training in cellulite, skin tightening, radiofrequency and ultrasound

Free radical damage and cellulite

Oxidative damage is an important aspect of cellulite, with the other six being fibrosis, skin laxity, glycation, poor microcirculation, inflammation and superficial fat accumulation.

Oxidative damage or free radical damage refers to cell damage by ‘reactive oxygen species’ (ROS) / free radicals, such as OO- (superoxide radical), -OH (hydroxyl radical) and H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide).

Free radical damage has also been implicated in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression and many other conditions, as well as ageing.

How can oxidative stress lead to cellulite

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced antioxidant defences in the body can lead to the damage of DNA, mitochondrial membranes and cell membranes, ultimately causing poor cell health, inflammation, tissue damage and overall ageing and dysfunction.

In blood and lymph vessels, oxidative damage manifests as poor circulation and water retention. In connective tissues, oxidative stress results in skin laxity or fibrosis. In fat tissue, free radical damage means inflammation. Furthermore, oxidative damage can also lead to glycation.

As mentioned above, fibrosis, skin laxity, glycation, water retention and inflammation are all important aspects of what we call cellulite, together with THE most important factor, fat accumulation.

As oxidative damage is such an important cause of cellulite, it is no wonder that many anti-cellulite skincare products contain antioxidants (unfortunately in insignificant amounts, in most cases).

What causes free radical damage

Some oxidative stress is absolutely fine and even necessary but too much of it does cause cell damage.

Smoking, alcohol consumption, air pollution, unhealthy eating, lack of exercise (or too much exercise) all contribute to oxidative stress.

Food wise:

• fried food

• hydrogenated fats

• seed oils

• sugar

• ultra-processed foods

• and even excessive calories, even of healthy foods

…are all known to cause oxidative stress.

How to minimise oxidative stress on the skin with antioxidants

In addition to not doing/consuming the above things that cause free radical damage you can fight oxidative stress/damage with antioxidants, such as vitamins C (water soluble antioxidant) and E (fat soluble antioxidant) and micronutrients, such as polyphenols and carotenoids.

Foods rich in these vitamins and phytonutrients are fruits (especially berries and citrus), vegetables, herbs and spices.

The same antioxidants can also be found in nutritional supplements and in some skincare / anti-cellulite creams.

The most important antioxidants against cellulite and skin ageing

The most well-known antioxidants are:

• Quercetin, hesperidin, rutin from citrus fruits

• Resveratrol and pterostilbene from berries and pomegranates

• EGCG from green tea

• Cocoa flavanols from cacao

• Chlorogenic acid from green coffee

• Oleuropein from olive leaf

• Ellagic acid from pomegranates

• Sulphoraphane from broccoli sprouts

• Oligomeric proanthocyanidins from grape seeds

• Curcumin from turmeric

• Lycopene from tomatoes and watermelons

• Astaxanthin from salmon and crustaceans

• Anthocyanins and anthocyanidins from berries

Antioxidant molecule purity, concentration and quantity are important factors in supplementation but especially so in skincare. Small amounts will do nothing (especially so in skincare) while too high amounts may be excessive (especially so in supplements).

Lifestyle, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidants: Back and Forth in the Pathophysiology of Chronic Diseases

• Research paper link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7347016

• Abstract: Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Long term exposure to increased levels of pro-oxidant factors can cause structural defects at a mitochondrial DNA level, as well as functional alteration of several enzymes and cellular structures leading to aberrations in gene expression. The modern lifestyle associated with processed food, exposure to a wide range of chemicals and lack of exercise plays an important role in oxidative stress induction. However, the use of medicinal plants with antioxidant properties has been exploited for their ability to treat or prevent several human pathologies in which oxidative stress seems to be one of the causes. In this review we discuss the diseases in which oxidative stress is one of the triggers and the plant-derived antioxidant compounds with their mechanisms of antioxidant defenses that can help in the prevention of these diseases. Finally, both the beneficial and detrimental effects of antioxidant molecules that are used to reduce oxidative stress in several human conditions are discussed.

Have a skin tightening/cellulite treatment in London with the experts

At LipoTherapeia we have specialised 100% in skin tightening and cellulite reduction for more than two decades and 20,000+ sessions.

This is all we study and practise every day and have researched and tried hands-on all the important skin tightening equipment and their manufacturers.

As strong, deep acting radiofrequency and deep-acting, high-power ultrasound cavitation are the technologies of choice for skin tightening and cellulite reduction, we have invested in the best RF/ultrasound technologies in the world.

Furthermore, over the last two decades we have developed advanced RF and cavitation treatment protocols in order to make the most of our technologies, for maximum results, naturally and safely.

And for even better, faster results, we now combine our RF/ultrasound treatments with high-power red/infrared light LED treatment.

Our radiofrequency/ultrasound/LED treatments are comfortable, pain-free, downtime-free, injection-free, microneedling-free, 99.5%+ safe and always non-invasive.

And our focus is on honest, realistic, science-based treatment, combined with caring, professional service, with a smile.

We will be pleased to see you, assess your cellulite, skin laxity or fibrosis, listen to your story, discuss your case and offer you the best possible treatment.

Learn more or check prices and book an expert cellulite / skin tightening treatment at our London clinic (49 Marylebone High Street, W1).

Advanced, infrared / red light therapy treatments in London at LipoTherapeia

At LipoTherapeia we are passionate about phototherapy (also known as photobiomodulation/PBM, red light therapy, infrared light therapy, blue light therapy, LED light therapy etc) and we use the most powerful equipment available today (up to 240mW/cm2), for best results and treatment of large body areas.

We use specialised therapy protocols for skin rejuvenation / anti-ageing, pigmentation / post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), moderate/severe acne, skin redness, sensitive/inflamed/irritated skin, wound healing, sports injuries / musculoskeletal pain and overall wellness / well-being.

Our LED phototherapy sessions are comfortable, deeply relaxing and super-safe and are great to enhance our radiofrequency/ultrasound treatments for skin tightening / cellulite reduction.

On our booking page you can book stand-alone phototherapy sessions or combine them with our other treatments, as an add-on.

Learn more or check prices and book an expert LED phototherapy treatment at our London clinic (49 Marylebone High Street, W1).

Discover our professional training in cellulite, skin tightening, radiofrequency and ultrasound

Do you want to deeply understand radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, cellulite and skin tightening?

Attend a half-day, 1-day or 2-day or 3-day professional consultancy / one-to-one masterclass and confidently offer your clients the safest, strongest and most effective treatment possible.

Service available via Zoom or at our central London practice.

Learn more or check prices and book an expert treatment at our London clinic (49 Marylebone High Street, W1)