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Posts Tagged ‘liposuction’

The Latest on Cellulite: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

No matter how advanced technology becomes with lasers, ultrasound, radio frequency or infrared heat techniques, a truly effective, long lasting treatment for cellulite remains elusive.  Why is cellulite such a difficult problem to treat?  Well, let’s start with exactly what that cottage cheese-like appearance is all about.

Cellulite is an architectural issue between connective tissue of the skin and fatty tissue.  The skin is connected to underlying muscle by fibrous connective cords.  Fat lies between these structures.  The fat pushes out against the skin, while the cords pull down, creating a dimpling effect on the surface.  The number, orientation and way these connective cords are organized in the tissue affects the amount and severity of cellulite a person may have.  Even though it is a common problem, It is a complex one, which is why there is no easy solution.

Cellulite is typically seen in the thighs, hips and buttocks of most women and may be genetically linked.  Excessive weight can make cellulite more noticeable, but it can be seen in lean body types as well.  It can also worsen with age as the skin loses elasticity.

You’ve probably seen countless ads with promises to eliminate cellulite.  The truth is that no single treatment is completely effective.  Topical creams, massage therapy and body wraps only provide a temporary effect on the appearance of cellulite at best, if they even do anything at all.  Of all the topical treatments, studies did show that topically applied retinol over a period of 6 months improved the appearance of cellulite because it helped stimulate collagen production and strength in the skin.  Mesotherapy, a technique that uses the injection of various substances into the fatty tissue to dissolve it, remains largely unstudied and can have unpredictable outcomes or only temporary improvement.  More invasive procedures, such as liposuction, can remove fat in the deeper layers, but its effect on superficial fat mostly seen in cellulite can be disappointing.  Laser assisted liposuction may be helpful for very small localized surface areas, but also requires more study.  Devices that combine radio frequency, infrared heat and suction with massage have gained popularity, but results on their effectiveness are often mixed and they typically require on-going treatments.

A new concept that may have future application for cellulite reduction is cryolysis.  There is evidence that fatty tissue is sensitive to cold temperature injury.  Currently, this concept is used in the Zeltiq procedure (cryolipolysis), which reduces small pockets of fat in the waist and love-handle areas of the body.  We have seen amazing results with the Zeltiq for this indication and I look forward to more research on cryolysis for the improvement of cellulite as well.  Trust me, as soon as there is a safe, non-invasive device that truly improves cellulite, we will offer it!!

 

Zeltiq on ABC News! Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

We’ve been excited about the Zeltiq targeted fat reduction treatment since we began using the device in December and have often discussed it in our blog.  It has once again come up in the mainstream media as a new way to help whittle our middles and as an alternative to liposuction.  Check out the video from ABC News on February 16th to see the Zeltiq in action!  Please contact our office for more details about the procedure.

 

Support for Zeltiq Grows! Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Our office has been using the Zeltiq fat reduction device for over a month now, and we are seeing very positive results!  As you may recall from my prior blog, the Zeltiq is a non-invasive medical device that is used for targeted fat reduction around the waist, tummy and love handle area of the body.  Studies show a loss of fat of approximately 20 percent in the treated areas over a two to four month period.  The procedure is comfortable, safe and has little, if any, down-time.

Check out this article from the Orange County Register, that discusses how the Zeltiq procedure rivals liposuction surgery.

If you have any questions regarding Zeltiq, please call our office for more information.

 

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