Collagen is a protein that contains higher amounts of proline, glycine and hydroxyproline than other body proteins. Hydroxyproline, specifically, is only found in collagen in the body - nowhere else and it is THE most important aminoacid in that protein. Studies have shown that a hydroxyproline peptide stimulates collagen I and III synthesis, as well as elastin synthesis. In addition it inhibits collagen breakdown…
Cellulite creams vs cellulite treatments
This is a common question we hear at the clinic. Cellulite creams are much more economical than treatments, so if they do work they make more sense, at least economically. On the other hand, many people do not believe that creams are even absorbed or they believe that their benefits are due to massaging the cream on the legs, two myths that we addressed in detail in previous articles. Of course a good cellulite cream is absorbed; and the effect of massaging the cream into the skin is negligible. On this article we are looking at the pros and cons of cellulite treatments vs cellulite creams.
Are radiofrequency / ultrasound safe for dark / black skin?
Unlike lasers, which work by heating melanin or other chromophores (light absorbing chemicals or structures inside the skin), radiofrequency works with electricity and ultrasound works mechanically, with sound.. The electrical properties of the skin are exactly the same in light skinned or dark skinned people, so skin colour plays no role in radiofrequency treatment (RF is basically high frequency electrical currents). In much the same way, the mechanical (acoustic) properties of the skin are exactly the same in light skinned…
Do seed oils cause cellulite?
Seeds mainly contain omega-6 fatty acids (mainly linoleic acid), of which the Western diet already contains too much, tipping the omega-3 : omega-6 fatty acid balance from an ideal 1:4 to an excessive 1:20. Excess omega-6 fatty acid consumption is known to contribute towards low grade inflammation, which is a contributing factor to cellulite Furthermore, like all oils and fats, seed oils (sunflower oil, corn oil, soy bean oil, horrid cottonseed oil etc) carry…
Does radiofrequency treatment have anything to do with radiation or radioactivity?
Why do I have to wait 8 weeks before having RF / cavitation after lipo?
Cellular senescence, due to high temperature cooking, causes skin aging and cellulite
Cigarette smoking and high temperature cooking of carbohydrates and fats leads to the creation of various chemicals detrimental to health, two of them being glyoxal and methylglyoxal (MGO). These chemicals eventually lead to the creation of Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs), which cause whole body ageing, whole body and facial skin ageing and cellulite…
Deep cellulite vs superficial cellulite
Cellulite refers to fat pockets within the skin that are attached to and/or surrounded by fibrotic (hardened) collagen strands. The fat pocket tries to bulge out of the surface of the skin, while the collagen strand pulls the adjacent skin down. The combination creates the cellulite peaks (fat pocket makes skin “pop out”) and troughs (collagen strands keep skin down).
Cellulite can appear at three depths inside the skin:
At the dermal level (superficial cellulite)
At the hypodermal level (medium cellulite; most common cellulite)
And at the subcutaneous fat level (deep cellulite; not true cellulite)
We will look at each of them in detail…
Capacitive RF vs resistive RF treatment
There are many iterations of radiofrequency technology for aesthetic treatments, depending on how the technology is applied. So we may have bipolar vs monopolar RF, capacitive vs resistive, destructive vs stimulating, low frequency vs high frequency etc. In this article we are discussing the distinction between capacitive and resistive radio frequency and how it can affect the depth, quality and safety of treatment offered…
Avocados, avocado oil and cellulite
Avocados are fruits rich in fat and in fibre - they contain about 15% fat, with 10% being oleic acid, a monounsaturated, omega-9 fatty acid. Avocado oil, being a fatty extract of the avocados, contains 100% fat, of which about 70% is monounsaturated oleic acid. Monounsaturated fat is a neutral fat that, from a health point of view, can be consumed in high quantities without the negative aspects that too much omega-6 fat can have on…
Cellular senescence, skin ageing and cellulite
Cellular senescence, literally meaning “cell aging”, is the process by which cells stop dividing and enter a senile stage characterised by dysfunction and the spreading of inflammation. Cellular senescence leads to the production of pro-inflammatory mediators that can spread inflammation to thousands of other cells in the vicinity of a group of senescent cells or even throughout the body. Cells normally enter cellular senescence after approximately 50 cell divisions (mitoses) and this normal process is known as "replicative senescence". When a cell enters senescence it is selected to be cleared by the immune system, in a process called senolysis…
The contraceptive pill and cellulite
Estrogen is the most important cause of cellulite. In fact it is the basis of cellulite. Without estrogen you may get weight gain and/or skin looseness, but you won’t cellulite - and that’s why men* don’t get cellulite. Yes, in addition to estrogen you do need to consume excess calories / eat unhealthily etc, but you need estrogen to turn those excess calories into…
Forskolin, lipolysis and cellulite creams
Is BBL worth it?
The ultimate anti-cellulite drink (I): turmeric, cocoa and collagen protein shake
Cocoa, protein and turmeric for firm, healthy cellulite-free legs. There are hundreds of ideas for drinks, juices and shakes that may be good for diet, weight loss and overall health, so one might wonder why these three ingredients? The idea behind this shake is its simplicity, taste and impact it can have in the health of your legs. Indeed, this shake is one of our 10 top tips for fast cellulite reduction…
Can I exercise after RF treatment?
Absolutely. You can do any exercise you want before or after treatment. In fact, if you are having RF for cellulite reduction, vigorous exercise right before or right after treatment will increase the effectiveness of the treatment. This is because the noradrenaline produced during exercise will maximise the lipolysis (fat release) stimulated by the treatment…
Gotu kola / centella asiatica: how it works for cellulite and other skin conditions
Centella asiatica (gotu kola) is one of the most important herbs for skincare and skin diseases, due to its multifunctional action. This review summarises the main modes of action of gotu kola on multiple aesthetic and medical skin conditions: acne, acne scars, burns, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, fibrosis, hair loss and cellulite…
Do cellulite creams work? Facts vs marketing hype.
In a previous article we have discussed the differences, merits and drawbacks of cellulite creams vs cellulite treatments. On this article we are focusing a bit more on why a good, concentrated, multi-ingredient cellulite cream can play an important role in cellulite reduction, more than what most women assume.
Fibrosis, cellulite and fibrous cellulite: what is the connection?
Fibrosis is one of the most important aspects of cellulite, together with fat accumulation, water retention, inflammation and skin laxity. Fibrosis in cellulite refers to excess accumulation and contraction of collagen in the skin ligaments (retinaculae, also known as septae) that connect skin with the fascia underneath. Fibrosis occurs at the deepest skin layer called the hypodermis…
EGCG from green tea: an essential anti-cellulite cream active
Green tea is widely researched for it lipolytic, skin firming, microcirculation-boosting, ani-inflammatory, anti-glycation, antifibrotic and antioxidant action, i.e. it directly acts on all seven aspects of cellulite. The health benefits of green tea are due to its polyphenol content, especially EGCG. EGCG, or EpiGalloCatechin Gallate, is the most important active molecule in the green tea plant (camellia sinensis) and it is widely researched with literally thousands of studies.
