Cellulite: What’s Your Lifestyle Got to Do with It?

Cellulite affects about 80 to 90% of all women. While it doesn’t pose any serious threat to health, it can make people feel self-conscious and negatively affect how they perceive themselves. The appearance of skin dimpling may even cause women to avoid certain types of clothing, such as shorts, skirts, and bathing suits.  

The exact cause of cellulite is not known, but it is said to happen when the underlying fat deposits push toward the skin and distort the connective tissues. It causes a lumpy or dimpled skin appearance on the hips, thighs, abdomen, and buttocks. Almost anyone can have cellulite, but it is a lot more noticeable in those with excess weight. 

Read our previous post and learn about the 5 things you may not know about cellulite.

Should you blame your habits?

There is some genetic link to cellulite, which is why even those with low body mass index (BMI) can have it. You may have a higher chance of getting cellulite if your mother or grandmother had it, but do take note that your lifestyle can also have something to do with it. Certain habits can also make the appearance of skin dimpling worse. 

Lack of physical activity or having a sedentary lifestyle is said to be associated with cellulite. It can also make skin dimpling worse, as prolonged sitting can negatively affect your muscle tone and skin firmness over time. It is also linked to excess weight, which is another factor that can make cellulite more visible. 

What prolonged sitting does is cause water retention and reduce blood flow. It can affect susceptible areas, such as thighs and buttocks, which can then increase the prominence or severity of cellulite. Taking regular breaks can help, as well as regular exercise. 

Other habits that can make skin dimpling worse include:

• Yo-yo dieting (losing weight, regaining it, and losing weight again)
• Poor diet (especially those with too much salt and excess sugar)
• Wearing tight clothing
• Sunbathing or overexposure to the sun
• Smoking (it weakens collagen formation)

How Cutis Medical Laser Clinics can help

At Cutis, we have two non-invasive treatments that can improve your skin texture and reduce cellulite appearance. Both use acoustic shock waves to break down fat cells and improve skin texture and elasticity. You can combine them with non-invasive fat reduction, especially if you have stubborn fat bulges you want to treat.

BTL X-Wave

What is it: X-Wave is an acoustic wave therapy treatment that uses targeted vibrations. It breaks down different factors that contribute to the appearance of skin dimpling and uneven skin texture. It can help smooth cellulite, tighten (mild) loose skin, and reduce the look of stretch marks. 

How it works: It involves the use of a handheld device that introduces oscillating mechanical energy into the body. It then induces targeted vibrations in the connective tissues, which help break down fat under the skin. There is also the benefit of stimulating lymphatic drainage to remove toxins and collagen growth to improve skin appearance. You can pair it with BTL Vanquish ME for improved fat reduction and body contouring results.

What results can you expect: With BTL X-Wave, you’ll see a considerable improvement in the overall appearance of your skin. You may notice visible changes after just a single session, but the recommended number of treatments is between 4 and 6. This, however, can still depend on the area being treated and its condition.

Zimmer ZWave

What is it: ZWave is another form of acoustic shockwave therapy that uses specially modified wave pulses. It helps reduce cellulite and tighten skin by strengthening the connective tissues and softening fibrotic structures. ZWave can make the skin firmer and more elastic and improve its bumpy and dimpled appearance.

How it works: It also uses a device that delivers radial shockwaves into the area of concern. This then breaks down the connective tissue that causes cellulite and destabilizes fat structures. The high-energy radial shockwaves also boost blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, and stimulate collagen formation.

What results can you expect: With ZWave, improvement in skin elasticity and firmness is visible after just a few treatments. You may see noticeable results after the first 2 to 3 sessions, which will continue to improve as you undergo more treatments. You can also pair it with fat freezing (ZLipo) to enhance body contouring results. 

Both procedures have no downtime, which means that you can immediately return to your normal activities after the treatment. 

Schedule a consultation and body assessment

Stop cellulite from making you feel self-conscious. Tweak your lifestyle habits and consider acoustic shockwave therapy to reduce cellulite appearance. Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation and body assessment with our aesthetic doctor to find out if it’s right for you.