Cellulite

Cellulite is one of the biggest concerns for almost all women. Despite common belief, cellulite has nothing to do with being overweight. Cellulite also affects women with lower body fat. Cellulite is characterised by dimpled skin on the thighs and buttocks.
8th Sense -cellulite 768x700 2Cellulite

Facts About Cellulite

  • Cellulite is a harmless condition.
  • As many as 95% of women over 30 years old develop cellulite in some form.
  • One of the risk factors is excess estrogen.
  • Excess progesterone can weaken the veins, causing water retention and weight gain.
  • Cellulite has become more prevalent over the past 30 years due to environmental toxicity, overload of xenoestrogens (toxins mimicking estrogen activity) and stress.
  • Cellulite can worsen as we age, particularly after the age of 35 when our growth hormones drop, and again after the age of 45 when our collagen becomes lax from aging.
  • Hereditary predisposition plays an important role (ACE and HIF1A mutations) as it is more difficult to treat if hereditary propensity is present.
  • It is not possible to cure cellulite completely, but it is a manageable condition. With the latest techniques and using a multifactorial approach it is possible to achieve smoother skin on the legs.

Our Approach to Cellulite

8TH Sense's Approach

8th Sense has many years of experience in this field and provides a holistic multi-factorial approach to treating cellulite. We assess the full spectrum of causes before proceeding with the recommended treatment.

Our approach always involves an integrative medical assessment to identify the cause, environmental toxicities, hormonal and nutritional imbalances, etc.

We also use spectrophotometry to determine the type of cellulite before starting the treatment.

We recommend the following methods:

VelaShape 2 and 3 – combination of infrared light, radiofrequency, vacuum and mechanical rollers used for cellulite and for post-pregnancy shaping.

Mesotherapy – injections of active ingredients that predominantly work to support circulation and lipolytic action.

TriPollar – Radiofrequency for flaccid cellulite and cellulite in thinner individuals.

Hormonal and integrative medical check up – personalised nutritional, lifestyle, detoxification and exercise advice and anti-cellulite coaching based on DNA analysis, testing biomarkers, spectrophotometry etc.

Cavitation – ultrasound treatment for fat reduction in the saddlebags area.

FAQ

Women have a different, dimorphic skin structure compared to men. The connective tissue structure in the subcutaneous layers where cellulite appears looks like a picket fence and is prone to bulging if there is increased fat, altered circulation or weakened collagen in women. Contrary to this, men have connective tissue that looks like a cross-linked fence so it holds any fat tissue tight.

Women store 20% to 25% of the fat we produce (compared to men who store 10%). Majority of this fat is stored in 3 layers in the buttocks and thigh area known as gyneoid fat. This is also the area where estrogen regulates adrenergic receptors called alfa receptors (responsible for gyneoid fat storage). Women have a ratio of 9 alfa:1 beta-receptor as opposed to men who have a 1:1 ratio. Even slim ladies can get cellulite if their gyneoid fat is not held “tightly” in the “cellulite pockets” especially if they have altered cortisol levels due to ongoing stress or if collagen is destroyed due to aging.

A lack of exercise can worsen cellulite. Several studies note that female athletes, who generally have a lower percentage of body fat, and very firm muscles usually have less cellulite. That is why we recommend aerobic exercise for 45 minutes, 3 times a week.

An unhealthy diet and insufficient consumption of organic fresh fruit and vegetables can worsen cellulite. Excessive consumption of predominantly processed foods high in saturated fats, herbicides and pesticides affects the metabolism of cells by mimicking the effect of estrogen on alfa receptors. The same applies to overexposure to environmental toxins, smoking etc.

Hormonal imbalances with underlying insulin resistance, thyroid, adrenalin or cortisol problems alter cell metabolism (both fat and connective tissue cells) circulation and increase the production of inflammatory cytokines which can contribute to cellulite formation. Estrogen dominance with a high production of dangerous 4-OH estrogen metabolites make cellulite impossible to manage. It is also important to note that the contraceptive pill hugely contributes to stubborn cellulite.

*Disclaimer: Treatment results will vary on a patient to patient basis. No guarantees can be made.