A WELSH company pioneering the use of laser technology for "body shaping" has struck a transatlantic deal to mass-produce a cellulite treatment.
The Llanelli-based company has developed for Smoothshapes Inc a "painless, non-invasive laser-based system that works gradually and effectively to improve the appearance of cellulite". In the next two years it will manufacture 200 "Smoothshapes 100" systems.
A spokesman said, "Until now, the only alternatives for the treatment of cellulite have been liposuction surgery, which is painful and inconsistent, or massage therapy, which gives only temporary improvement. No other new technique has provided scientific documentation of efficacy."
The FDA-approved system uses a combination of laser light and massage technology. As well as reducing the appearance of cellulite, it can help relieve minor muscle aches, spasms and pain and temporarily improve blood circulation.

Hoping to get position itself ahead of competitors in the upcoming bikini season, Silab has announced that the company has created an ingredient that helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite. The ingredient, Pro-Sveltyl, is derived from the sacred lotus plant. This aquatic plant is believed to help reduce fat storage in the body because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Silab stated that a study revealed that a 28-day trial consisting of twice daily treatments using a 1 percent dosage reduced the level of fat stored. The company said further studies showed a 2 cm reduction in thigh circumference, with reduction in other problem areas also noted.

Cottage cheese, hail damage, orange peel syndrome--these are some of the more unattractive ways to describe something nearly all women have cellulite.But what can be done about it? We don't like to see it, but it's there. Dimpled skin on the thighs, buttocks, even the stomach. It's enough to make you shred your shorts and pull on pants in the summer.

The problem is, aside from hiding it, you can't get rid of cellulite. The most you can do is reduce it's appearance. And there are several ways to do that. Tara Evans is seeing a doctor about her cellulite. “I wanted to get rid of it,” Evans said. “For bathing suit season, mainly.” Evans is a thin woman, but cellulite does not discriminate. Big or small, any size woman can suffer from cellulite. “I'd say about 80 percent of women have some sort of cellulite and even in younger women as young as 20, you have the appearance of cellulite,”

Dr. Gregory Nikoladis said.Nikoladis is a local dermatologist who likes to combine two procedures to smooth away cellulite: velasmooth and mesotherapy. Velasmooth is a treatment that combines radiofrequency waves, a laser and a mechanical suctioning massage to break up fat. “Whenever you heat up the skin, you get an immediate collagen contraction, you get decrease of fat,” Nikoladis said.A series of injections called mesotherapy helps shrink the fat cells. Nikoladis injected phosphatidycholine--an extract derived from soybeans. Another term for it is lipo-dissolve.

“The main advance that the lipo-dissolve has is using this phophatidycholine, which I believe there's been five or 10 studies which show it does work in reducing fat,” he said. While velasmooth is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, lipo-dissolve for cosmetic use is not. Though, Nikoladis says he's had no problems with it.

TriActive

The most recent technology to reduce cellulite incorporates 3 different techniques and is promoted as TriActive LaserDermology. TriActive, so named for the 3 separate actions a technician applies, endeavors to smooth and tighten loose ripple skin by combining mechanical massage, localized cooling and deep laser stimulation. By integrating a low-energy laser, a skin-cooling mechanism, and suction massage to stimulate collagen, circulation, and lymphatic drainage, Tri-Active has been successfully diminishing the appearing of cellulite.
TriActive LaserDermology system is uniquely designed for the treatment of face and body. TriActive systems were originally developed years ago by laser scientists in Italy and are in use all over the world. Spas and other health specialists have used this innovative technology in thousands of individuals to reduce the appearance of cellulite and rejuvenate the skin. With just a series of procedures, TriActive LaserDermology's goal is to enhance the appearance of skin, making it feel smoother and tighter.
90% of women have cellulite. The TriActive is specially designed to treat this common condition. Through a combination of massage therapy and recent developments in laser technology, TriActive LaserDermology provides your clients with a relaxing therapeutic message that stimulates the subcutaneous tissue and increases microcirculation. The laser is also associated with increasing microcirculation. The combined action helps the body's own mechanisms eliminate toxins and impurities while improving the appearance of cellulite.
Clients are typically treated 2 times per week for a total of 10-16 treatments. Each treatment takes 30-45 minutes. Clients find the treatment experience relaxing and many will fall asleep. Once the initial treatments are completed, it is recommended that clients return for a monthly maintenance treatment.

"Cellulite"

Cellulite is a term coined in European salons and spas to describe deposits of dimpled fat found on the thighs and buttocks of many women. Widespread promotion of the concept in the United States followed the 1973 publication of Cellulite: Those Lumps, Bumps and Bulges You Couldn't Lose Before, by Nicole Ronsard, owner of a New York City beauty salon that specialized in skin and body care.

Cellulite is alleged to be a special type of "fat gone wrong," a combination of fat, water, and "toxic wastes" that the body has failed to eliminate. Alleged "anticellulite" products sold through retail outlets, by mail, through multilevel companies, and through the Internet have included "loofah" sponges; cactus fibers; special washcloths; horsehair mitts; creams and gels to "dissolve" cellulite; supplements containing vitamins; minerals and/or herbs bath liquids; massagers rubberized pants; exercise books; brushes; rollers; body wraps; and toning lotions. Many salons offer treatment with electrical muscle stimulation, vibrating machines, inflatable hip-high pressurized boots, "hormone" or "enzyme" injections, heating pads, and massage. Some operators claim that 5 to 15 inches can be lost in one hour. A series of treatments can cost hundreds of dollars.

"Cellulite" is not a medical term. Medical authorities agree that cellulite is simply ordinary fatty tissue. Strands of fibrous tissue connect the skin to deeper tissue layers and also separate compartments that contain fat cells. When fat cells increase in size, these compartments bulge and produce a waffled appearance of the skin.

more than 150 years ago...

The term cellulite originated in France more than 150 years ago and began appearing in English language publications in the late 1960s, the earliest reference in Vogue magazine, "Like a swift migrating fish the word cellulite has suddenly crossed the Atlantic. "

Descriptive names for cellulite include orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin, the mattress phenomenon, and hail damage. Synonyms include: adiposis edematosa, dermopanniculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis and gynoid lipodystrophy. It is unrelated to cellulitis, which is infection of the skin and its underlying connective tissue.

Between 85% and 98% of post-pubescent females display some degree of cellulite. It is prevalent in women of all races but is more common in Caucasian females than in Asian females. There appears to be a hormonal component to its presentation. It is rarely seen in males. It is seen more commonly in males with androgen-deficient states such as Klinefelter's syndrome, hypogonadism, post-castration states and in those patients receiving estrogen therapy for prostate cancer. The cellulite becomes more severe as the androgen deficiency worsens in these males. Cellulite is not related to being overweight; average and underweight people also get cellulite.

While harmless, the dimpled appearance is a cause of concern for some people. The cosmetics industry claims to offer many remedies. There are no supplements that have been approved as effective for reducing cellulite. Cosmetic laser manufacturers, such as Syneron, claim success after a few applications of their products. Liposuction, which extracts fat from under the skin, is not effective for cellulite reduction. Dieting does not get rid of the dimpled appearance, but a balanced diet and exercise may help.

Cellulite has been found to be indistinguishable from ordinary fat in every medical and scientific test. It is not proven whether any cosmetic lotion, massager or pills can reduce/increase cellulite versus ordinary fat. The only known way to reduce the appearance of cellulite is to reduce overall body fat by altering diet or exercise, although it may remain visible even on very slim women.

The cause of cellulite is unknown. But, some theories point to stress, and diet as potential causes, or at least aggravators.

Smooth It On, Smooth It Out: Cellulite Creams

Plenty of women are looking for a quick fix in a jar. Over the last few years, a handful of cellulite creams have stormed the market. Pseudo-scientific infomercials flood TV screens nationwide touting a dramatic reduction in the appearance of cellulite by increasing blood flow to the affected areas.

Do they work?
Not if you ask Alan Kling, MD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.
"Cellulite creams are pure hype," says the dermatologic surgeon specializing in liposuction surgery. "People need to remember that the beauty industry can make claims based on anecdotal evidence that have no scientific or medical backing whatsoever."
Some research backs Kling's claim. A double-blind study published in the September 1999 issue of the British Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery put the creams to the test. After 12 weeks, only 3 of the 17 women in the study reported even the slightest improvement.

I, personally believe that it is possible that these creams work, maybe not as well as high tech surgery but they do make a difference, at least that is what I have noticed.

Mesotherapy

What is Mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy is a medical specialty, which involves injecting microscopic quantities of natural plant extracts, homeopathic agents, pharmaceutical agents and vitamins into the skin to treat a variety of conditions. The physician will select a formula customized to treat your condition. Mesotherapy can be used to treat or assist in a variety of conditions such as: cellulite, weight loss, spot reduction, and rejuvenation of the skin.

How many treatments are required?

Generally, the average patient requires approximately 10 treatments. However this will depend on the individual patient.

What are the side effects of Mesotherapy?

Side effects are generally limited to local bruising, local swelling, itching and irritation.

Are Mesotherapy treatments painful?

The majority of patients experience minimal discomfort with Mesotherapy. For those with lower pain thresholds, a topical anesthetic can be used.

How long do the benefits last?

Treatment areas will remain free of unwanted fat as long as the patient maintains a healthy diet and exercise. Treatments for cellulite and for mesolift will require maintenance on a six month to one year basis.

How many Mesotherapy treatments are required before I see results?

It depends on the patient's body. Some patients see results after one treatment session while others may require four to five treatments to begin to see results. Often the patient's clothing will become looser and friends and family will tell the patient they appear thinner. However, Mesotherapy is more about losing inches than losing large amounts of weight.

Is Mesotherapy different than liposuction and what are the benefits vs. liposuction?

Yes, it is very different. Besides involving no anesthesia and surgical risk, mesotherapy requires no recovery time. Mesotherapy also removes the fat from the fat cell without destroying it. We believe this helps give mesotherapy its natural appearance. Liposuction does not treat cellulite and in fact often ends up making the cellulite more prominent. Mesotherapy treats cellulite directly and the result is a smoother skin surface. Also, if you gain weight after having Mesotherapy, the fat will simply return to the treated area, unlike liposuction, where fat can start to occur in places that had been thin in the past, such as the arms, neck, face, and calves.

How does Mesotherapy work on cellulite reduction, weight loss and spot reduction? Mesotherapy can target specific areas or spots where your body stores excessive fat. The customized formulas are injected in a specific area blocks the cells from storing fat and helps break the existing fat cells down. Your body then naturally flushes out the broken-down fat. Spot reduction can be used for double chins, love handles and any other area there your body pockets fat.

What is Endermology?

Endermology is a non-invasive form of lipo-suction which reduces the appearance of cellulite and makes the skin more smooth and supple. The technique was developed by a French scientist named Louis Paul Guitay (LPG). It involves a specially designed device that promotes deep, penetrating whole body massage with the use of suction and rollers to stimulate the breakdown of stored fat and increase the body’s circulation.

The three main elements of Endermology consists of a rolling process, suctioning and improved body circulation. The massaging actions of the rollers over the skin results in the breakdown of underlying cellulite. Suctioning stretches the surrounding connective tissues restoring them to a longer, more original size. Both of these elements stimulate the body's circulation which helps remove the freed fat from the area . Drinking at least 2 liters of water a day will help the circulation system maintain the process of elimination. Multiple treatments have been shown to reduce the site and density of fat stores allowing the connective tissue to elongate, reducing the appearance of cellulite.

How is the treatment performed?

The patient is situated comfortably in a private room. As the procedure is performed the technician methodically carries out the LPG full body massage The patient wears his/her own body stocking which allows the rollers to move smoothly over the skin surface and ensures adequate hygiene.

Is it painful?

The procedure itself is actually quite relaxing. The level of treatment is individually determined by the patient’s comfort level.

Are there dietary restrictions?

There are no dietary restrictions. However, you should maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Drinking at least 2 liters of water per day is essential.
How many treatments are needed?Fourteen (14) sessions are usually prescribed each session is approx. 35 minutes long. At the recommended 2 treatments per week, total scheduling takes seven (7) weeks. Exceeding the recommended 2 sessions per week will not give faster results. It should be noted that for patients engaged in a significant weight loss program or with long term cellulite, only one session per week is advised. Further sessions may be necessary and desired for the continued improvement.

Cellulite

Cellulite describes dimpling of skin, caused by the protrusion of subcutaneous fat into the dermis creating an undulating dermal-subcutaneous fat junction adipose tissue. The term cellulite originated in France more than 150 years ago and began appearing in English language publications in the late 1960s, the earliest reference in Vogue magazine, "Like a swift migrating fish the word cellulite has suddenly crossed the Atlantic.

Descriptive names for cellulite include orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin, the mattress phenomenon, and hail damage. Synonyms include: adiposis edematosa, dermopanniculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis and gynoid lipodystrophy. It is unrelated to cellulitis, which is infection of the skin and its underlying connective tissue.
Between 85% and 98% of post-pubescent females display some degree of cellulite. It is prevalent in women of all races but is more common in Caucasian females than in Asian females.

There appears to be a hormonal component to its presentation. It is rarely seen in males. It is seen more commonly in males with androgen-deficient states such as Klinefelter's syndrome, hypogonadism, post-castration states and in those patients receiving estrogen therapy for prostate cancer. The cellulite becomes more severe as the androgen deficiency worsens in these males. Cellulite is not related to being overweight; average and underweight people also get cellulite.

While harmless, the dimpled appearance is a cause of concern for some people. The cosmetics industry claims to offer many remedies. There are no supplements that have been approved as effective for reducing cellulite. Cosmetic laser manufacturers, such as Syneron, claim success after a few applications of their products. Liposuction, which extracts fat from under the skin, is not effective for cellulite reduction. Dieting does not get rid of the dimpled appearance, but a balanced diet and exercise may help.

Cellulite has been found to be indistinguishable from ordinary fat in every medical and scientific test. It is not proven whether any cosmetic lotion, massager or pills can reduce/increase cellulite versus ordinary fat. The only known way to reduce the appearance of cellulite is to reduce overall body fat by altering diet or exercise, although it may remain visible even on very slim women.

DermaWave No Needle Mesotherapy

DermaWave No Needle Mesotherapy™ is used to treat and smooth cellulite, or dimpled skin on the thighs, buttocks and abdomen.
Mesotherapy treatments have been used to treat cellulite for over 50 years. Previous Mesotherapy treatments involved injections of very small amounts of naturally occurring substances and minerals into the fatty layer to reduce dimpled areas characterized by the appearance of a “cottage cheese” appearance. Unlike this previous techniques which involve a series of injections that may be painful or cause unsightly bruising, the DermaWave No Needle Mesotherapy™ eliminates the need for injections and therefore will not cause discomfort during the treatment series.
DermaWave No Needle Mesotherapy is a new device and technique to drive these natural substances into the fat without pain and without bruising. It is a new technique called Aquaphoresis, which uses specialized electrical waveforms to help reactivate specific physiological processes in tissue that contribute to the formation of cellulite. A very low energy laser and a sequence of specialized electrical currents are used to carry the substances into the tissue. A smooth, plastic disc is gently rubbed in a rotary motion over the treatment area for about 20 minutes, repeated weekly. The only sensation is a very mild tingling. NO pain, NO needles. We recommend a 10 treatment series with quarterly maintenance treatments to maintain optimum results.
No Needle Mesotheraphy is a new technique without pain and without bruising.
• No Needle Mesotherapy removes the barriers that needle Mesotherapy created. • Patients with a low pain threshold can now receive Mesotherapy • Patients can shorten time between treatments – enhancing the effectiveness • Larger areas can be treated • Patients can return to normal activities sooner

Acoustic Wave Therapy

Dimpled or uneven skin is a nagging problem for millions of women, including those who work hard to keep fit. Through Acoustic Wave Therapy™, women can achieve smoother skin in the areas where cellulite commonly forms — the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and arms.
Acoustic Wave Therapy (AWT) was created by the Swiss company Storz Medical, which adapted technology originally designed to ease the pain associated with poor circulation and stiff joints. MedSurge Advances, the exclusive U.S. distributor for AWT, has now begun offering the equipment necessary to perform AWT to a select number of physicians, with nationwide rollout later this year.
•How AWT Treats Skin Dimpling

While dimpled skin can be traced to genetics, hormones and lifestyle, the problem’s immediate cause is the accumulation of lipids in the fat cells. Swelling from lipid accumulation exerts pressure on the circulatory system, causing a slowdown both in the intake of nutrients and the drainage of waste products. Poor exchanges lead to a gradual stiffening of the connective tissue, which shortens as it stiffens, pulling the skin down. At the same time, the clusters of enlarged fat cells pull the skin up. The consequence of this push/pull mechanism is the appearance of dimpling.
Physicians have long used acoustic pulses to help patients ease the pain associated with poor circulation and stiff joints and tendons. Storz Medical has adapted this technology to improve the appearance of the skin.
Acoustic Wave Therapy uses a ballistic medical device to generate pressure waves that pass through the skin and fat to impact the fibrous septae. This causes a break up of the collagen of the septae and RELEASES the skin - prouducing a smoother surface. AWT also helps to thicken the dermis, decreasing fat protrusion. Ultrasound pictures confirm thickening after treatment.
Patients are treated twice per week for three weeks, with sessions generally requiring less than a half hour. Additional treatments are necessary for about 20 percent of patients. Patients may wish to have a maintenance session once every three months after completing the program.