Unless cellulite is very recent and/or very little (pre-cellulite or Stage 1) it does not go away on its own, with a non-surgical treatment or with surgery (especially not with surgery). This is because by the time cellulite is noticeable by most people (Stage 2) permanent, non-reversible changes have occurred in the connective tissue under the skin. So don’t believe the smooth operators who promise for “cellulite to go away”. With cellulite that has been around for some time or it is Stage 2, 3 or 4, it is about reducing it to about…
RF / cavitation: gel, cream, serum, glycerol or oil? Which conductive medium is best?
“Radiofrequency” is an all encompassing term for treatment with different types of high frequency electrical currents. Different machines utilise different frequencies, from an extra low of 300kHz to an extra high of 5GHz. The types of physical phenomena at play on those different machines are quite different…
Does sports / deep tissue massage help with cellulite?
Some clinics advertise sports/deep tissue massage as an anti-cellulite massage, which could not be further from the truth. Deep tissue massage (aka sports massage) is a massage technique aiming to work DEEP into the muscles to alleviate muscle tightness, pain or injury. On the other hand, cellulite is an aesthetic condition that is characterised by hypodermal fat accumulation. Now the hypodermis may be the deepest skin layer but it is still way more superficial than the muscles. After the hypodermis we have the intermediate fascia, then the subcutaneous adipose tissue, then the deep fascia, then the muscle fascia and then the muscles. Muscles and hypodermis are two very distant tissues. Furthermore, the massage manipulation muscles need is quite different to the massage manipulation cellulite needs…
Can acoustic wave therapy (AWT) cure lipedema?
We had a question by a website visitor a few weeks ago: “Thank you for your ‘Acoustic wave therapy for cellulite: does it work?’ page. What about lipedema (lipoedema)? If it doesn't work on soft fat, what about the hard fat that forms from lipedema? I have lipoedema, as do 1/10 women. I'm not sure what stage, as doctors don't know much about it. Just wondering if you have tried AWT on lipedema, as there is no research so far.” I have to say this is a very smart question and (unless ones has specifically studied the anatomy of adipose tissue and the science of AWT) makes a lot of sense. However, the devil is always in the detail. So let’s look at the details.
How often can you do radiofrequency skin tightening on stomach, thighs or face?
With any effective body treatment, it is good to leave one, two or more days between sessions in order to allow for the skin to recover. So with a deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency treatment, you must leave at least 2-3 days between sessions. With ineffective, low power RF treatments, you can leave less time between sessions (as little…
Why do you prefer radiofrequency more than cavitation for cellulite reduction?
At the clinic we use a combination of deep-acting, high-power* radiofrequency and deep-acting, high-power* ultrasound cavitation for cellulite, ideally combined with high-power LED phototherapy. In most cases we prefer to use radiofrequency only or more RF and less cavitation simply because in most cases skin looseness is a big component of the cellulite. This is what some people call “soft cellulite” - it is not very scientific but it describes the combination of skin laxity and cellulite. As deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency is THE strongest SAFE treatment for skin laxity - and one of the two strongest treatments for cellulite - this is what we use…
Does multipolar radiofrequency work for cellulite reduction?
Multipolar radiofrequency goes deeper than bipolar, so it must be good for cellulite, right? No and no. It doesn’t go deeper than anything and it is not an effective cellulite treatment. Multipolar RF, i.e. tripolar, tetrapolar, hexapolar or octipolar RF, is a type of bipolar radiofrequency and, contrary to marketing nonsense, it does not reach deeper than bipolar RF. Yes, multipolar RF is still a bipolar type of radiofrequency. In nature there are only two types or electricity: plus and minus. With so called multipolar RF, the (+) and (-) poles alternate between 3 or more electrodes. So multipolar RF is still bipolar RF, just with the poles alternating, with no extra benefits incurred for cellulite reduction…
Your cellulite treatments are so long, why is that?
Your cellulite treatments are so long, e.g. your full thigh and buttock treatment is 100 minutes. Why is that? Because we don’t cut corners. We are aware that some clinics, with much inferior equipment, treat the back of thighs in 20 minutes and in a similar amount of time the front of thighs, for a total of 40 minutes for the entire thighs and buttocks. That’s good for those clinic, as they make the maximum amount of money per minute but not very good for their clients, who obviously don’t get any results. At LipoTherapeia, despite using the strongest equipment and treatment protocols in the world, we spend 2.5x more time, i.e. 100 minutes for the entire thighs and buttocks or 50 minutes for each side…
Hidden plastics in chewing gums: a microplastics and endocrine disruptor nightmare for cellulite
Surprisingly, the types of plastics found - such as polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalates, polyacrylamides, and polystyrenes - were the same in both natural and synthetic gums, with polyolefins being the most common. Most microplastics were released within the first two minutes of chewing, not due to saliva enzymes but from the abrasive action of chewing itself. After eight minutes, 94% of the detectable microplastics had detached. The study suggests chewing a single piece for longer rather than switching to a new one could reduce exposure. Cellulite, influenced by estrogenic endocrine disruptors, may worsen with microplastics from chewing gum, as these particles can mimic hormones like oestrogen…
Cost is not an issue, so can I get rid of my cellulite / tighten my skin in one session?
It may not be a common question but it is a common thought: “I can throw (tens of) thousands of pounds in an one-off (even very painful) cellulite / skin tightening treatment. Can I get results in one session and then get on with my billionaire / centi-millionaire / deca-millionaire life?” Well, the honest answer to this very question is: Nah, life doesn’t work like that. Your body needs regular and repeated stimulation (treatments) as well as time to change. Throwing tens of thousands at the problem cannot violate the laws of physics and biology to provide instant results…
Lactose intolerance and cellulite: the hidden connection
Cellulite is a common skin condition that affects the hypodermis, the deeper layer of skin where fat cells reside. It manifests as a dimpled, uneven texture, often likened to orange peel, and is influenced by a variety of interconnected factors. While genetics, hormones, diet, and lifestyle play significant roles in its development, other conditions, such as lactose intolerance, might also have a subtle impact. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body lacks sufficient lactase, an enzyme needed to digest lactose, the sugar in milk and dairy products. This leads to digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhoea when dairy is consumed. Although lactose intolerance is not a primary driver of cellulite, it can…
The artificial sweetener sucralose could lead to weight gain and make cellulite worse
In recent years, many people have turned to non-caloric sweeteners like sucralose to enjoy sweet tastes without adding calories to their diet. These sweeteners are popular for weight management, but there’s growing debate about whether they might actually affect hunger and health in unexpected ways. This study explores how sucralose impacts the brain’s appetite control compared to regular sugar (sucrose) and water. The research focuses on a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which helps regulate hunger, and examines how it reacts differently in people with varying body weights - healthy weight, overweight, and obese - and how it can indirectly affect cellulite…
Does leaky gut make your cellulite worse?
Leaky gut, or increased intestinal permeability, occurs when the lining of the small intestine becomes compromised. This allows undigested food particles, toxins, and bacteria to leak into the bloodstream, triggering systemic inflammation and immune responses. Since inflammation and related processes play a significant role in skin and tissue health, this condition could plausibly affect cellulite…
Can radiofrequency dissolve fillers or Botox?
Radiofrequency increases the metabolism of tissues where it is applied. Increased metabolism will result to increased breakdown of products such as fillers and botox. Furthermore, certain types of radiofrequency, such as high frequency RF, should not be used on fillers, as temperature may increase disproportionately inside the filler, potentially causing damage…
Are tomatoes an anti-cellulite food?
Lycopene, a potent carotenoid antioxidant in tomatoes, stands out for its skin health benefits. It reduces inflammation, a key driver of cellulite progression in the hypodermis. This can help maintain smoother skin over time. It also combats oxidative damage, protecting skin cells and improving texture. This may prevent worsening of cellulite’s visible signs. Studies show lycopene directly supports connective tissue integrity…
Retinol vs. cellulite: the hype that won’t smooth away
Does retinol work for cellulite? It’s a very common question that keeps surfacing among those desperate to smooth out dimpled skin. People ask it all the time, lured by retinol’s skincare fame. For more than two decades, it’s been a staple in cellulite creams, yet the results remain minimal. However, on its own, retinol is ineffective for cellulite reduction, and even the hype around it can’t change that fact. Let’s break down why this ingredient keeps coming up short…
Can cavitation or radiofrequency make cellulite and skin firmness worse?
Properly applied, deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency, can NOT make skin worse - it will always lead to skin tightening and cellulite reduction (and the same applies to properly applied strong, deep-acting ultrasound cavitation). After 13,000+ sessions we have never seen a single client’s skin get worse. This type of radiofrequency (and/or ultrasound cavitation) is super-safe, if applied professionally by an experienced, well-trained, well-educated therapist (we have a constant 99.5%+ safety rate at our clinic in the last 14+ years). Properly applied, deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency works by stimulating cellulite fat release and the synthesis of functional collagen tissue and…
Dancing, cellulite and skin firmness
Physical activity and exercise are essential for both cellulite reduction and skin tightening. Diet only is never enough - both physical activity and healthy nutrition are needed. The most beneficial types of exercise / physical activity for cellulite prevention and skin firmness maintenance are the ones which combine both high intensity AND some form of vibration/impact. High intensity burns calories while the activity is…
Can berry fruits help get rid of cellulite?
Cellulite and berry fruits might not seem directly connected at first glance, but their relationship lies in the potential effects of berries' nutrient profile on the factors contributing to this common skin condition. In this exploration, we’ll define cellulite and its causes, examine the key nutrients in berry fruits, and evaluate how these nutrients might influence cellulite, all while assessing the evidence - or lack thereof - for a direct link…
Why we don't offer HIFU at our London clinic
HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) has become extremely popular the last few years. We have tried HIFU around 2014, way before it became popular in the following years and have found it lacking, both in terms of effectiveness and safety. In fact, we found the treatment either ineffective at low intensities or unsafe at high intensities and gave back the machine after a few days of training and after trying it with a few clients. The best way to understand the reasoning against HIFU is real world evidence, consisting of feedback and reviews from real people in the real world, as opposed to the virtual reality of instagram, tiktok or even science papers…
