Lymphatic massage must be the most overhyped proposed cellulite treatment, together with the pathetic dry brushing (😂) and coffee been scrubbing (😂😂), which, of course, don’t work. True, impaired microcirculation / lymphatic drainage is part of the cellulite problem, together with excessive hypodermal adipose tissue accumulation, skin laxity and connective tissue fibrosis. However, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage does NOT do ANYTHING for existing fibrosis, skin laxity or fat accumulation, the other three important structural aspects of cellulite. And when it comes to circulation / lymphatic drainage it only improves it temporarily, for a few hours or days…
Cellulite vs cellulitis: differences and similarities
Although with cellulite fat in the hypodermis is typically characterised by chronic, low grade inflammation and fibrosis (like a lot of adipose tissue does), it is not health threatening or an actual disease per se. Cellulitis, on the other hand, is a bacterial infection of the hypodermis by bacteria. It manifests as diffuse redness on the surface of the skin, it can be health threatening and it usually has to be treated by antibiotics…
For a cellulite cream to work, you have to use it (sounds obvious, right?)
Indeed most cellulite creams do not work. Most cellulite creams are diluted junk, with little or no active anti-cellulite ingredients in them and are designed, manufactured and marketed for one reason: maximum profit. So even if you apply them religiously they do not have a chance in hell to work. Most people do not change their habits that initially led to the creation of cellulite and expect the cellulite cream to do all the work. Again, under these circumstances, even if you apply your cream religiously it will not work. And many people only use their cellulite cream from time to time. No skincare product, cellulite cream or not, will ever work if you don’t apply it…
Red light vs infrared light therapy: what is best?
Red light therapy (wavelengths of 620 to 750 nm) and near infrared light therapy (wavelengths of 800 to 2,500 nm) has become very popular the last few years for both aesthetic (anti-ageing, acne, hyperpigmentation, skin rejuvenation etc) and wellness (pain relief, sports injuries, back pain, seasonal affective disorder, burns, wound healing etc) applications. Many people wonder what is the main difference between red light and near infrared (NIR) light therapy and the answer is quite simple, as we will see below...
Cellulite massage: all you need to know
Massage for cellulite: does it work? There are many different types of cellulite massage (e.g. manual lymphatic drainage massage, deep tissue, body brushing, fascia massage, home cellulite massagers, cupping, vacuum massage , vibration etc). But do cellulite massages work? And of those that actually work which are the most efficient?
How to reduce water retention and oedematous cellulite [42 tips]
![How to reduce water retention and oedematous cellulite [42 tips]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5294cad9e4b009e918124a61/1650712230501-6AWDWOVRI02VXI3GNKW6/iStock-154948281.jpg)
A lot of our clients ask us: What causes water/fluid retention on thighs, buttocks, lower legs or even the stomach? Can/does water retention cause cellulite? Does water retention make cellulite worse? Water retention (also referred to as fluid retention, puffiness, swelling, oedema etc.) affects a large number of women and, to a lesser extent, men. Water retention occurs when the veins and lymph vessels can not remove water from the tissues efficiently. Water retention can manifest occasionally (e.g. in the summer heat and/or if standing for long periods of time) or it may be chronic. Symptoms can range from mild (e.g. cellulite or puffiness typically appearing on the calves, thighs, hips, arms and face) to severe (medical water retention / lymphedema). Water retention can have many causes, both genetic and lifestyle-based. Check our comprehensive guide on the causes of fluid retention…
Cupping for cellulite: does it work?
“Does cupping work for cellulite?” This is a common question we are asked at the clinic and on this article I am going to explain how effective cupping is for cellulite, according to both science and my own practical experience (I have practised different types of cupping treatments for cellulite reduction already a good 20 years ago)…
Cellulite exercise | How to get rid of cellulite
At the time of updating this article (February 2023) Google returned 3.7 million pages for the query “cellulite exercises”, volunteering “helpful suggestions” such as curtsy lunges, lateral lunges, glute bridges and squat jumps. But do these exercises work? Can you get rid of - or at least reduce - cellulite with specific exercises? Here we present the ultimate “exercise for cellulite” guide. Honest and straight to the point, without clichés or even dangerous misinformation that you find all over the internet. Just science-based, actionable information.
Can I reduce lipedema with RF, cavitation or RF microneedling?
This is a very valid question asked by so many people in the lipedema community. However, the fact of the matter is that there is no good non-surgical treatment - be it radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, acoustic wave therapy, RF microneedling, HIFU, massage, red/infrared light therapy or pressotherapy. None of those non-surgical techniques or any other reduces lipedema and currently the only good solution for lipedema is surgery. Sure, exercise and healthy nutrition…
Does alcohol cause cellulite?
The perfect cellulite reduction plan (when money or time is not an issue)
Here is the IDEAL cellulite removal plan, without any cut corners or compromises, i.e. where the usual time and money constraints are not issue. Most people only have two weeks left before their holidays to do something about cellulite, a limited budget (fair enough), limited time to receive treatments or to apply creams and no intention, energy or time to follow an exercise / healthy nutrition regime. But for those who have the time, money and energy, this is the best possible plan, without gimmicks or compromises.
Cellulite laser treatment: does it work?
There are three types of lasers used for cellulite and skin tightening: hot lasers, i.e. high energy lasers; cold lasers, i.e. low energy lasers and also known as low level laser therapy / LLLT; surgical/invasive lasers. Here we present an analysis of all three types of lasers used for cellulite removal and their effectiveness.
TENS for cellulite, fat reduction or weight loss: does it work?
Different kinds of electrical treatments have been suggested the last few decades for skin firming and fat/cellulite reduction, with varying effectiveness. Examples include radiofrequency, high frequency wand treatments, microcurrents, galvanic, HIFEM (electromagnetic muscle stimulation), EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) etc. TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), used in physiotherapy for pain relief, is not one of them, but…
Fibrosis massage after liposuction or cellulite surgery: how to do it at home
In a previous article we analysed everything to do with fibrosis after liposuction/cellulite surgery (normal liposuction, vaser, laser lipo, body tight, abdominoplasty/tummy tuck, thigh lift, cellfina, subcision, cellulaze), including what causes it. On this article we focus on the specifics of how to perform a safe and effective anti-fibrosis massage fibrosis after lipo/cellulite surgery.
Ultrasonic cavitation for cellulite: what is the best frequency?
Fibrosis after lipo: how to get rid of it
After almost all “lipo” surgery (liposuction, liposculpture, laser lipo/smart lipo, vaser lipo, bodytite, abdominoplasty/tummy tuck, Brazilian butt lift/BBL, cellfina, subcision, cellulaze, cellutite, profound RF etc) inflammation and oedema (water retention). Inflammation / oedema are followed by scar tissue development (known as fibrosis, adhesions or simply ‘hard lumps’) in one of more areas or widespread throughout the operated area…
Does cellulite go away?
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…
How long do skin tightening / cellulite treatments last for?
RF fat melting: hype vs facts
I don’t know where this “fat melting” idea came from, but those who invented this phrase a few decades ago, should have known that fat is already liquid in fat cells. In fact, scientists call the lipid content in fat cells “the adipocyte lipid droplet”. So next time you visit a clinic where they claim to melt your fat…
Cavitation treatment: how often should I have it?
Deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency and deep acting, high-power ultrasound cavitation are the two best technologies for both cellulite removal and skin tightening. With a high-power setup, the optimum frequency for treatments is twice a week, with a two or three day gap between sessions. The 2-3 day gap allows for recovery between sessions, which means maximum intensity can be used during treatment (in the few cases where deep, strong treatment is provided)…