Shockwave Therapy Cellulite Treatment

Cellulite, or itsmedical term “gynoid lipodystrophy”, is a term used to describe the dimpledappearance of skin caused by fat deposits just below the skin's surface. Itgenerally appears as skin ages in the abdomen, lower limbs, arms and pelvicregion when the collagen fibres become thinner and less resistant to fat cellspoking through.

Cellulite is a verycommon condition that can afflict as much as 90% of women and 10% of men. Thereis no known direct cause for the condition. However, certain risk factors caninfluence the likelihood of developing it. These risk factors include gender,genetics, hormonal changes, weight, muscle tone, and age. 

Cellulite is morevisible the older you are. This is because as we age, our skin becomes thinnerand less elastic, making it easier for these fat deposits to become more easilyvisible to the naked eye. Weight gain can also stretch skin more delicate, againmaking the appearance of cellulite more apparent. 

The severity ofcellulite is categorised into three grades, besides grade 0, which denotescases with no cellulite. These include:

• Grade 1: Dimpling when     pressure is applied
• Grade 2: Dimpling that is     visible when standing but not when lying down
• Grade 3: Dimpling that is     always visible, even when lying down. The skin has multiple deep peaks and     valleys.

There are severalremedies that people will try to improve the appearance of cellulite. Thechanges are moderate for those that are effective and will often be temporary.They can, however, result in improvement by one grade. 

Oneof the increasingly popular treatment options for cellulite is extracorporeal shock wavetherapy (ESWT)and radial shock wave therapy. Research has established that both are safe andeffective treatment options for cellulite. 

WithCellulite Shockwave Treatment, ladies can achieve firmer, smoother skin in theareas where skin dimpling forms – the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and armscommonly.

Aswell as treating cellulite, the shockwave will also help to stimulate collagenproduction, rejuvenate connective tissue, improve skin elasticity, reduce fatpockets, and help get rid of stretch marks, giving your skin an overall firmer,smoother, and tighter appearance. The toning effect is remarkable.

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How does it work?

It takes severaltreatments to see good results from shockwave therapy. This is because it takestime for the stimulation of collagen to result in more toned and elastic skin.The effect is achieved by causing minor tears or injury to the connectivetissues where cellulite has collected. Then, the broken-up fat cells are drainedaway through stimulated blood, enhanced metabolic activity and acceleratedlymphatic flow. As a result, some short-term discomfort may be felt during thetreatment, and tingling or numbness over the treatment area. 

A handheldsoundwave device generates, directs, and sends pressure waves into the lowerlayers of tissue through acoustic pulses. The intensity of the vibrations andlength of the session will depend on the severity of the cellulite beingtreated and the patient’s tolerance to the therapy. The treatment mainlyaddresses cellulite conditions on the thigh and buttock areas.

A conducting gelis applied to the treatment area before the probe is placed right against thearea of cellulite to be targeted. Treatment sessions will often last about20 minutes, with a full treatment series requiring 6-12 sessions carried outtwice a week. The most visible results can be seen after 4-5 treatments, buteven greater improvement can be achieved with more sessions. 

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