If cellulite bothers you, you’re not alone. Our desire to get rid of — or at least diminish — cellulite has led to many treatment options. With so many treatments out there, it can be hard to know what, if anything, works.

To find out, dermatologists have been conducting research studies. You’ll be happy to know that the research shows some treatments can make cellulite less noticeable — at least for a while. Here’s the lowdown.

Best results according to research studies

Acoustic wave therapy

Bottom line: Studies show that this can reduce the appearance of cellulite. Several treatment sessions are needed to see a reduction.

Laser treatment

Different types of laser treatments are used to treat cellulite.

During one minimally invasive laser treatment called Cellulaze, a tiny laser fiber is inserted beneath your skin. When the laser is fired, the laser energy breaks up the tough bands beneath the skin that cause us to see cellulite. This treatment can also thicken your skin, which is important. Skin often thins where cellulite forms. Thickening the skin can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Bottom line: Cellulaze may reduce the appearance of cellulite. Patients are seeing results that last a year or longer. More research is needed to know for sure how helpful this laser can be.

With other laser treatments, some patients have seen less cellulite. Results can last 6 months or longer; however, a bit of dimpling usually returns.

Cellulite differs from fat. Treatment that can effectively remove fat often has no effect on cellulite.

Subcision

Called Cellfina, this medical procedure involves your dermatologist inserting a needle just under the skin to break up the tough bands beneath the skin that cause us to see cellulite.

Bottom line: Cellfina has been shown to reduce the skin dimpling that you see with cellulite. In a study of 232 patients, 99% of them said they were satisfied with the results. The results can last 2 years and possibly longer.

Vacuum-assisted precise tissue release

This also breaks up the tough bands that cause us to see cellulite. During this procedure, your dermatologist will use a device that contains small blades to cut the tough bands. After the bands are cut, the tissue moves upward to fill out and eliminate the dimpled skin.

Bottom line: This may be an effective treatment for reducing cellulite. A small study shows that many patients who received this treatment had less cellulite for up to 3 years. It’s too soon to tell, but the results may last even longer.

Weight loss

Bottom line: Extra weight can make cellulite more visible. For some people, losing weight and staying at a healthy weight reduces the amount of cellulite they see. If you develop loose skin while losing weight, however, cellulite can become more noticeable.

Exercise

Bottom line: Having more muscle makes your skin look smoother and firmer. Replacing fat with muscle can also make cellulite less noticeable.

Evidence the treatment may work

Carboxytherapy

During this medical procedure, carbon dioxide (CO2) gas is inserted just beneath the skin. CO2 differs from carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. Possible side effects from carboxytherapy are discomfort during treatment and temporary bruising.

Bottom line: Early studies show that women may see less cellulite. In one study, 10 women received 8 treatments. After these treatments, the researchers found that the women had a little less cellulite.

Creams and lotions

Bottom line: Researchers have found that some creams and lotions may have an effect on cellulite.

Products containing caffeine may dehydrate cells, which can make cellulite less obvious. To maintain the results, you’ll have to apply the product every day.

A product that contains 0.3% retinol may also have some effect on cellulite. Some women who’ve used it say they see a little less cellulite. Retinol can help thicken the skin, which may reduce how much cellulite you see. Before you’ll know if retinol can help you, you’ll need to apply the product for 6 months or possibly longer.

If you’re interested in trying a cellulite cream or lotion, it helps to test it on a small area first. Some people have an allergic skin reaction.

Testing on a small area is also important because there have been reports of people becoming anxious or having a racing heart while using a product that contains aminophylline. People who use an asthma inhaler definitely want to avoid using any product that contains aminophylline. Even a cream that contains it can cause breathing problems.

endermologie^®

Available at spas, this treatment uses a device that gives you a deep massage while also lifting up your skin with a vacuum-like tool. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this as a medical device that has little potential to cause harm. The FDA, however, hasn’t said that it works.

People who offer endermologie^® say that a number of treatment sessions are necessary to see results. Each session lasts about 45 minutes.

Bottom line: Study results vary. Some studies found no difference in cellulite between the women who received endermologie^® and those who didn’t. Other studies show that the women who received it had a noticeable reduction. These results, however, were temporary.

If you see results, it seems that you must continue the treatments to continue seeing results. The cellulite tends to return within 1 month of stopping treatment.

Ionithermie cellulite reduction treatments

If you opt for this spa treatment, the cellulite will be slathered with algae or clay — and sometimes a mixture of both. Next, electrodes are attached to the area. Before the technician leaves the room, the area will be wrapped in plastic. During the treatment, you’ll feel a mild electric current. Some people say the current feels painful or unpleasant.

This treatment is said to reduce the size of the treated area, which may reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Bottom line: Without independent published studies, it’s hard to know if this works. Some people say their skin feels more toned, but they still see cellulite. Others say they don’t notice any difference. If you see results, they’ll only last about 12 to 18 hours.

Radiofrequency

This is a type of treatment that heats the cellulite. One FDA-approved device combines radiofrequency with a laser, suction, and massage in order to target cellulite.

Bottom line: Recent studies suggest some patients see a little less cellulite. This result, however, is short lived and several treatments are needed to see this minor change.

After treatment, bruises are common. These fade with time.

Too early to tell if these work

Laser-assisted liposuction

Liposuction is an invasive medical procedure that works well for removing small amounts of fat.

Bottom line: While liposuction can remove unwanted fat very effectively, it’s not recommended for getting rid of cellulite. It can make the dimpling more obvious.

Adding a laser treatment to liposuction, however, may help get rid of cellulite. It’s too soon to tell whether laser-assisted liposuction is effective.

Ultrasound

A technique called ultrasonic liposculpting is a non-invasive procedure that targets and destroys fat.

Bottom line: There is no evidence that ultrasound alone can reduce cellulite. When combined with another cellulite treatment, however, ultrasound may reduce the appearance of cellulite. It’s too early to tell whether it will be effective. More studies are needed.

Not recommended for treating cellulite

Cryolipolysis

This treatment freezes unwanted fat to get rid of it.

Bottom line: While it can be very effective for getting rid of small pockets of unwanted fat, it currently cannot get rid of cellulite.

Mesotherapy

During this procedure, you receive a series of injections in the area(s) with cellulite. Different substances are injected into the area, including caffeine, hormones, enzymes, and herbal extracts. Because each practitioner uses a unique blend of ingredients, there’s no way to know what — if any — ingredients are effective.

Bottom line: Few studies show this works. Side effects are common and include redness and swelling, tender lumps beneath the skin, infection, allergic skin reaction, and skin changes.

Supplements

Some people say that taking supplements that contain ingredients like caffeine, grape seed extract, or gingko biloba can reduce cellulite.

Bottom line: There is no evidence that any supplement can reduce cellulite.

A dermatologist can help you decide what’s right for you

Before having any cosmetic (not medically necessary) treatment, it’s always best to consult a doctor who understands and treats the condition. Your results depend on the skill and experience of the person who performs the treatment.

Dermatologists are the skin experts, so they understand the skin and what lies just beneath it. A dermatologist who offers cellulite treatment can help you decide which treatment may be most effective for you and answer your questions.

Additional related resources

References

Alizadeh Z, Halabchi F, et al. “Review of the mechanisms and effects of noninvasive body contouring devices on cellulite and subcutaneous fat.” Int J Endocrinol Metab. Epub ahead of publication Jul 3, 2016.

Kaminer MS, Coleman WP, et al. “Multicenter pivotal study of vacuum-assisted precise tissue release for the treatment of cellulite.” Dermatol Surg. 2015 Mar;41(3):336-47.

Khan, MH, Victor F, et al. “Treatment of cellulite: Part I. Pathophysiology.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010 Mar;62(3):361-70; quiz 371-2.

Khan, MH, Victor F, et al. “Treatment of cellulite: Part II. Advances and controversies.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010 Mar;62(3):373-84; quiz 385-6.

Luebberding S, Krueger N, et al. “Cellulite: An evidence-based review.” Am J Clin Dermatol. 2015 Aug;16(4):243-56.

Pianez LR, Custódio FS, et al. “Effectiveness of carboxytherapy in the treatment of cellulite in healthy women: a pilot study.” Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2016 Aug 22;9:183-90.

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A laser can seem like a magic wand that can make any scar disappear. Medical lasers, however, are nothing to play with. To get impressive results and avoid serious side effects, it’s important to know these basic facts before you have laser treatment for a scar.

1. Laser treatment cannot get rid of a scar. Thanks to recent advancements in medicine, lasers are becoming a dermatologist’s go-to treatment for many scars. Laser treatment can:

• Prevent a raised scar from forming after surgery
• Reduce scar pain and itch
• Increase your range of motion if a scar limits movement

Laser treatment can also make a scar less noticeable, but it cannot get rid of a scar. When you have laser scar treatment, you’re replacing one scar with another less-noticeable scar.

2. Your results depend largely on the skills of the person performing the laser treatment. Dermatologists are at the forefront of researching and treating scars with lasers.
   
   
   
   In the hands of a board-certified dermatologist, laser treatment can safely treat many types of scars.
   
   
   
   When the person performing your laser treatment lacks medical expertise and specialized knowledge of the skin, laser treatment may not give you the results you seek. It can even be dangerous.

2. A medical consultation is crucial before any laser treatment. If someone promises to treat your scar before providing a medical consultation, walk away.
   
   
   
   

   Give your dermatologist a list of the medications and supplements you take. To heal well and prevent the laser from scarring your skin, you may need to stop taking something for a while.

   

   It’s essential for the person performing your laser treatment to know about you. Everyone is unique. To treat a scar effectively, the person performing your laser treatment must consider your skin type, characteristics of your scar, and your overall health.
   
   
   
   During the medical consultation, tell your dermatologist if you:

• Get cold sores
• Have any medical condition, including diabetes
• Smoke
• Take any medications or supplements

It’s also important for your dermatologist to know what results you expect from treatment. Be honest.

4. Sun protection is crucial before and after laser treatment. If you show up for laser treatment with a tan or sunburn, your dermatologist cannot treat you. Using a laser could cause a serious burn or discolor your skin.
   
   
   
   After having laser treatment, you’ll need to protect your skin from the sun until your skin heals. If the sun’s harmful rays hit your treated skin, you can develop another scar.

4. You may need to make a few lifestyle changes before treatment. To heal well and get the best results from laser treatment, dermatologists recommend that patients:

• Quit smoking for at least 2 weeks before laser treatment.
• Stop taking vitamin E, aspirin, and other medications and supplements that can delay healing.
• Stop using skin care products that contain a retinoid or glycolic acid for 2 to 4 weeks.
• Take medication to prevent getting cold sores if you’re prone to developing cold sores.
• Avoid the sun, tanning bed, or sunlamp. You cannot be treated if you have a tan or sunburn.

6. Your treatment plan may include more than laser treatment. To give patients the best results, dermatologists often use more than one treatment for scars. For example, if a patient has deep acne scars, a dermatologist may treat the scars with a laser. The patient may also get a filler.

6. You may need more than one laser treatment. To give a patient long-lasting results and the most improvement, a dermatologist may schedule a series of laser treatments. This is often necessary when using a type of laser called a non-ablative laser. You won’t have downtime with this laser, but to see the desired results, you may need a few laser treatments.

6. After laser treatment, you’ll need to care for the treated area at home. Following your dermatologist’s instructions for at-home care after laser treatment will help you see the best results and prevent possible side effects.

6. Results take time to appear. It can take months to see the results from laser scar treatment, and you may notice little improvement at first.

6. Insurance may not cover the cost. Laser scar treatment can ease the pain and itch that scars can cause. It can help a patient move more freely if a scar limits movement. Still, insurance providers consider laser treatments cosmetic treatments. Health insurance doesn’t cover the cost of cosmetic treatments.

If you’re considering laser scar treatment, the best way to find out if it’s right for you is to meet with a board-certified dermatologist. You can find one who specializes in laser procedures at:

Select the Specialty “laser procedures”

Images

Image 1: Used with permission of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003;49:1-34.

Image 2: Getty Images

References

American Academy of Dermatology, news releases:

• “Scar treatments can improve patients’ quality of life.” News release issued Jul 28, 2016. Last accessed Nov 22, 2017.
• “Popular anti-aging treatment emerges as effective treatment for difficult scars.” News release issued Feb 2, 2015. Last accessed Nov 22, 2017.
• “Military dermatologists making strides in applying treatments for wounded warriors to injured civilians.” News release issued Mar 21, 2014. Last accessed Nov 22, 2017.

Prsic A. (2017, Apr 6) “.” Medscape. Last accessed Nov 22, 2017.

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Liposuction is a type of surgery used to remove fat. By removing a small amount of fat, it’s possible to reshape just about any area of the body.

Areas you can reshape

Many people have a type of liposuction called tumescent (to-mes-cent) liposuction. It’s often used to:

• Slim hips
• Reduce saddlebags
• Flatten the belly

But it can do much more.

Dermatologists also use tumescent liposuction to reshape the:

• Jawline, creating a more-defined profile
• Neck, leading to a more-youthful-looking appearance
• Upper arms, decreasing their size
• Back
• Love handles, making them less noticeable
• Waist, giving it more couture
• Buttocks
• Knees and inner thighs, creating thinner legs
• Ankles

Tumescent liposuction can also restore youthful fullness to an aging face or mature hands. To do this, a dermatologist uses tumescent liposuction to remove fat from another area of your body. The removed fat is injected into the aging face or hands, which helps create a more youthful appearance.

If someone has a hollow-looking face due to HIV, removing fat from another area of the body and injecting it into the face can help restore facial fullness.

Treat excessive sweating

Tumescent liposuction can also help people who sweat excessively. If treatments like prescription antiperspirants and iontophoresis (eye-on-to-for-ree-sis) don’t work, tumescent liposuction may be an option.

To reduce excessive sweating, a dermatologist removes much of the fat in the armpits. Most of sweat glands in the underarms are found in the fat, so this can greatly reduce sweating. Because this removes sweat glands, it is a permanent solution.

What liposuction should not treat

While liposuction has many uses, it is:

• NOT meant to help people lose weight
• NOT a treatment for obesity
• NOT a fast track to a fit body
• NOT a

Tumescent liposuction safer than traditional liposuction

If you are thinking about having liposuction to reshape an area of your body, dermatologists recommend tumescent liposuction. It reduces many risks possible with traditional liposuction.

The benefits of having tumescent liposuction rather than traditional liposuction include less recovery time, bleeding, and bruising.

Tumescent liposuction is also less expensive, which can save money. Insurance generally doesn’t cover the cost of cosmetic (done to improve your appearance) procedures.

What’s involved in getting tumescent liposuction?

Unlike traditional liposuction, which is often performed in an operating room, tumescent liposuction can be performed in a medical office. An operating room isn’t necessary because you’re awake during the entire procedure.

Before removing fat, your dermatologist will inject large amounts of a liquid into the area to be treated. This liquid contains an anesthetic to numb the area so you won’t feel anything and medicine to minimize bleeding.

Once injected, the area will swell and feel firm.

To remove the fat, your dermatologist will make an incision (cut) in the swollen area and insert a thin, hollow tube. This tube is used to suction out the liquid and a small amount of fat. Your dermatologist will also shape the area to give you the best possible results.

On a popular TV show, people often had several procedures at once. Doing this can jeopardize your health and is NOT recommended.

When your dermatologist finishes, you’ll feel alert and be able to function. You will, however, be monitored in the office for a while. When it’s safe for you to go home, you’ll need someone to drive you.

Is there downtime after tumescent liposuction?

Most people need a few days to recover at home before returning to work. You’ll likely have some pain and swelling after tumescent liposuction.

Be sure to ask your dermatologist how much downtime you can expect and when you can return to activities like work and exercise.

What’s required after surgery?

You’ll likely need to do some self-care at home. This may include wearing a compression garment to reduce swelling or taking antibiotics to reduce the risk of an infection. If your lower legs were treated, you may need to elevate your legs.

Your dermatologist may also require you to start walking the day after surgery. This can reduce the risk of developing a blood clot.

When do people see results?

You may notice some improvement immediately after the surgery, but it takes months to see your final result.

How long do the results last?

The results can last for years. If you gain weight, however, the results may be less noticeable.

What are the possible side effects from tumescent liposuction?

It’s common to have swelling, bruising, and numbness immediately after the procedure. These are temporary and usually go away in a few weeks.

As the area heals, you may see a scar where your dermatologist inserted the hollow tube. This, too, tends to fade with time.

Lumpiness, dimpling, and loose skin are also possible but rare in skilled hands. A dermatologist can usually correct these if they develop.

Other more serious side effects can occur when the person performing the procedure lacks training and experience. That’s why it’s so important to choose a board-certified doctor who regularly performs tumescent liposuction.

Who gets the best results from tumescent liposuction?

The people who tend to get the best results:

• Have skin that instantly snaps back when pinched
• Are at a healthy weight
• Exercise
• Have good muscle tone

If you’d like to know what tumescent liposuction can do for you, you should make an appointment to see a dermatologist.

Even if you feel that you are not a great candidate, this appointment can be helpful. A dermatologist can speak with you about your concerns and tell you what may give you the results you seek.

Choose the specialty of Cosmetic dermatology.

Additional related resources

Image (before and after): Used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

References

Coleman WP (III) and Flynn TC. “Liposuction.” In: Bolognia JL, et al. Dermatology. (second edition). Mosby Elsevier, Spain, 2008:2345-54.

Johnson DS, Lillis PJ, et al. “Liposuction.” In: Kaminer MS, et al. W. B. Saunders Company, United States of America, 2002; 194-227.

Lee EH, Nehal KS, et al. “Procedural dermatology training during dermatology residency: A survey of third-year dermatology residents.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;64:475-83.

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