4 Ways to Get Rid of Cellulite

Cellulite is incredibly common (more than 80% of women will develop it) but that doesn't stop us wishing we didn’t.

If you dislike the “orange peel” appearance on your thighs, buttocks or around your knees, you’re not alone; one study found that women with cellulite consider themselves overall less attractive than those who don’t have it.

Although cellulite can be stubborn to treat, there do now exist a number of procedures to tackle its characteristic lumps and bumps and achieve smoother skin. Below, we profile four options, all available at Ocean Clinic Marbella.

What Causes Cellulite?

Cellulite is more than skin deep; it occurs below the derma, when fat cells enlarge and start to push through the connective tissue into the skin. This happens as women age and start producing less estrogen and storing more fat (generally from around 25 to 35).

In women, the connective tissue (formed mainly by fibroblasts and collagen fibers) is arranged in free-standing chambers filled with fat cells. These are separated by vertical walls of fibrous bands called septa. In men however, subcutaneous fat is stored in smaller chambers with septa that form a criss-cross structure.

This criss-crossing of men’s septa means the chambers are stronger and more able to contain the fat within, thus preventing it from protruding out. Meanwhile, men are also less inclined to store fat on their buttocks and thighs - the areas most prone to cellulite. This explains why men are far less likely to have cellulite than women.

Types of Cellulite

A cellulite severity scale, published in 2009, ranks the condition using three grades:

Grade 1 (mild): There is an "orange-peel" appearance, with between 1-4 superficial depressions, and a slightly "draped" or sagging appearance to the skin.

Grade 2 (moderate): There is a "cottage cheese" appearance, with between 5-9 medium-depth depressions, and the skin appears moderately draped.

Grade 3 (severe): There is a "mattress" appearance, with 10 or more deep depressions, and the skin is severely draped.

The severity of your cellulite will affect the results that can be achieved with treatment, however the appearance of all grades should be improved. Your doctor or therapist will advise you what kind of results you can expect.

Effective Cellulite Treatments 1. Venus Legacy (Radiofrequency)

Venus Legacy is an exciting new device that combines multi-polar radiofrequency and pulsed electromagnetic fields to stimulate the tissue deep down. It works by heating the tissue to shrink fat cells and trigger the production of collagen. Collagen strengthens the connective tissue that holds the fat cells in place, therefore tightening skin and reducing the appearance of cellulite.

In addition, Venus Legacy encourages the release of trapped fluid and stimulates drainage of fluids and toxins through the lymphatic system. Poor circulation of the lymphatic system is thought to be a significant contributor to cellulite formation.

As well as working on cellulite, the treatment addresses sagging skin and can also have a slimming effect. It can be used to lift and tone buttocks and contour thighs, offering the opportunity to enhance the silhouette at the same time as improving the skin tone.

Venus Legacy is completely non invasive, 100% safe (FDA approved) and painless. Treatments can be customised to target cellulite at any stage, for all skin types and requires no downtime. A course of 5-10 sessions is advised, depending on the severity of your cellulite.

2. LPG Endermologie

LPG Endermologie is a revolutionary connective tissue treatment from France that involves gently rollering and suctioning the skin to reactivate dormant cellular activity. It offers a number of benefits, including the reduction of cellulite. Using the patented "Alliance" treatment head, skin and fatty tissue are stimulated to soften them and make them less fibrous. At the same time, this stimulation helps to release fat and activate lymphatic circulation, giving skin back its tonicity.

The treatment’s efficacy has been proven by 85 scientific studies, which have shown LPG Endermologie can dramatically boost production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. These rejuvenating substances aid all-natural repair.

The system is also used as a non-invasive alternative to liposuction. Applied on the areas where cellulite typically appears (legs and buttocks), it will both smooth and slim. Inner thigh or knee skin sagging can also be tackled, all at the same time.

LPG Endermologie is absolutely pain-free, safe and does not traumatise skin, meaning no redness. The treatment is suitable for men and women of all ages and all skin types. A course of 6-8 sessions is recommended for optimum results.

3. Ultrasound Cavitation

Ultrasound Cavitation is a non invasive treatment, which uses pulsed ultrasound energy to destroy fat cells. The high-frequency sound waves disrupt the fat cell walls, causing the contents to be released. Meanwhile, the surrounding tissue, nerves and muscles are left completely unharmed by the procedure.

The process stimulates the lymph system, which works to naturally eliminate the fat. Reducing the subcutaneous fat (fat that forms under the surface of your skin) helps to eliminate cellulite. What’s more, you can experience a significant reduction in the circumference of your thighs or bottom (average circumferential loss per area treated with ultrasound is 4.5 cms).

Ultrasound cavitation is safe, quick and painless - it is a gentle and soothing experience, much like a hot stone massage. Treatments take an hour or less and patients can return to work immediately afterwards. Between 3-6 treatments, scheduled two weeks apart are recommended for each treatment area.

4. Thigh lift

If you’re looking for a surgical solution to your cellulite and have additional aesthetic concerns you wish to address, a thigh lift can deliver a total thigh makeover. A thigh lift (also called a crural lift) literally involves lifting the sagging skin and fatty tissue on the upper and outer thigh towards the groin. Excess skin and tissue is removed and deep support sutures are placed in the underlying tissues to help create a tight and toned thigh.

The procedure is combined with liposuction in order to remove larger amounts of fat and further shape and contour the thighs. The removal of fat reduces the appearance of cellulite, while surgical skin tightening leads to improvements in dimpling and other irregularities.

Although a thigh lift can be performed on an outpatient basis (meaning you don’t have to stay overnight in the clinic), it does require at least two weeks of downtime (up to one month if you have a physical job). You will also have scars - they are usually hidden in the groin crease, but can sometimes extend along the inner thigh.

Because of this, a thigh lift is a good choice if you have significant loose skin and excess fat in addition to cellulite. If you are only seeking to tighten and tone, then a non-surgical treatment can provide pleasing results.

To find out which of the above treatments would be best suited to you, book a consultation at Ocean Clinic Marbella on 951 775 518 or email info@oceanclinic.net  

What Questions Should You Ask Your Plastic Surgeon?

With the new year upon us, you might well be considering some cosmetic surgery. If you are, it’s important to do your homework and choose your surgeon carefully. 

Naturally, you’ll want to make sure they have the necessary training and experience to carry out your procedure, but there are other factors to double check too. 

To help you, we’ve put together a checklist of top questions to ask at your consultation, ensuring you can move forward with your treatment plans with confidence. Here’s to a happy new you!

5 Important Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon 

𝥷 1. Are you a plastic surgeon or a cosmetic surgeon? 

You might not realise there is a difference, but the terms ‘plastic surgeon’ and ‘cosmetic surgeon’ cannot be used interchangeably. Plastic surgery is a specialist medical field and those who practice it will be certified by national and/or international boards. This means they will be held to the highest standards, encompassing everything from skills, knowledge, judgment, safety and ethics. 

Cosmetic surgery, on the other hand, may be performed by general physicians and unfortunately, some are not under the guidance of a properly credentialed board. It’s easy to check out a surgeon’s credentials online. 

Ocean Clinic’s Head Surgeon Dr. Kai Kaye is a fully registered plastic surgeon in Spain, Germany and the UK. He is a full member of: 

International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) 
Sociedad Española de Cirugía Plástica Reparadora y Estética (SECPRE) 
Deutsche Gesellschaft der Plastischen, Rekonstruktiven und Ästhetischen Chirurgen (DGPRAC) 
Gesellschaft für Ästhetische Chirurgie Deutschland eV (GACD)
British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) 

He is also a fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. 

𝥷 2. Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery? 

Some physicians performing plastic surgery procedures are primary care physicians (GPs), emergency room doctors or general surgeons without residency training in plastic surgery. Many take short courses in specialist procedures such as liposuction or breast augmentation and then return to their practice to begin performing them on patients. 

A board certified plastic surgeon, meanwhile, will have completed at least five years training in plastic surgery, including a residency training programme at a clinic or hospital. They may also have undertaken extensive study in specialist fields of plastic surgery. Be sure to obtain their full C.V. 

Dr. Kaye received his medical degree from the University of Munich in 2001 and subsequently received his University Doctorate Magna cum Laude in 2002 following two years of research in the field of reconstructive plastic surgery. He then completed a two-year residency at the Park Klinik Birkenwerder in Berlin with a special focus on breast surgery and autologous fat transfer. 

After joining the highly respected Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department at the University of Aachen, Germany, Dr. Kaye gained specialist experience in microsurgery, burn surgery and hand surgery. 

𝥷 3. Where will my procedure be performed? 

Some surgeons do not have their own operating facilities and will use those of another clinic or hospital. If that is the case, you should ask for full details and request to view the operating theatre and recovery rooms. If your procedure is to be performed on an outpatient basis (meaning you will not stay overnight), some surgeons may carry out the treatment in their office. 

Make sure the surgical facility is registered with the correct authorities and has the necessary equipment should a medical emergency occur, such as a defibrillator. You should also ask about the professional insurance they have in place. 

Ocean Clinic has its own state-of-the-art operating theatre, on site at its central Marbella premises. It is fully licenced and equipped and has its own overnight patient ward. This includes five luxury private rooms featuring en suite bathrooms, flatscreen TVs, Wi-Fi and facilities for visitors to stay overnight. 

 𝥷 4. How many procedures of this type have you performed? 

It’s important to make sure your surgeon has adequate experience; not just in the field of plastic surgery generally, but in the specific procedure you are requesting. You should consider both the volume and frequency, as well as the time since they last carried out the surgery (i.e. they might have done a large number of facelifts in the past, but not any in the last five years). 

As a minimum, you should look for a surgeon who carries out the procedure once a month. For something common, like breast augmentations, it’s reasonable to expect the surgeon to have carried out 50+ in the last year. You should also ask to see a selection of before and after photographs of patients who have had the procedure you’re requesting. 

Additionally, you can ask to speak to one or two of those patients to find out about their experiences first hand. This is something we are happy to arrange at Ocean Clinic Marbella. 

𝥷 5. What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome of my surgery? 

If you have carried out your due diligence, then the chance of anything going wrong with your surgery is significantly minimised. However, it’s not always possible to foresee every circumstance or anticipate how the body will heal. Therefore, it’s important to know how your surgeon will tackle complications or complaints, should they occur. 

What are the possible complications associated with your procedure and what steps would they take to rectify them? Is revision surgery included at no extra cost? Do you need to take out additional, independent aftercare insurance? 

Ocean Clinic Marbella is committed to customer satisfaction and offers any additional treatment required included in the original price. Our dedication to patients has led to us winning the WhatClinic Customer Service Award. Ocean Clinic Marbella has also been certified by the International Standards Organisation (ISO). 

And finally… It goes without saying that you should make sure your consultation is with a properly qualified medical professional and not a salesperson. At Ocean Clinic Marbella your consultation will always take place with the appropriate specialist. 

To make an appointment please contact us via our online contact form or send us a message on Facebook.