Cellulite and Skin Textural Changes
Advanced Treatment of Cellulite and Skin Textural Changes in the San Diego Area
Dr. Melanie Palm is a nationally recognized dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon specializing in the treatment of cellulite on the buttocks and thighs. Her offices are located in Solana Beach, CA just north of San Diego. Dr. Palm lectures nationally on body contouring and rejuvenation, including cellulite, and is an advisory board member and key opinion leader for Merz, the maker of Cellfina. She offers many effective treatment options for cellulite and skin textural changes on the buttocks and thighs.
What Causes Cellulite and Why?
Cellulite affects the majority of women past adolescence. It appears as dimples, wavy skin textural changes or unsightly shadows, primarily in the buttock and thigh region, although cellulite is sometimes seen on the upper arm, abdomen and above the knees.
If you have cellulite you are in good company. Nearly 90% of women develop cellulite and it is actually considered a characteristic trait of being female. Although for many of us that does not exactly soften the blow of unwanted dimpling on our thighs and buttocks, it is helpful to know there are effective treatments that improve the appearance of skin textural irregularities.
What exactly causes cellulite? The true answer is we don’t completely understand. However, it appears to be caused by multiple factors including the following:
The architecture of fat and connective tissue in women is unique from men. Male fat tends to be contained within connective tissue strands that are oriented more horizontally to diagonally to the skin’s surface. Women on the other hand tend to have connective tissue structures that orient vertically (or perpendicular) to the skin’s surface. This allows connective tissue to tether to the skin surface, and for fat to herniate or pooch out between this web of connective tissue, causing characteristic dimpling or textural irregularities of the skin.
Female hormones play a role in the development of cellulite. It is uncommon to see the dimpled and wavy changes on skin in females before puberty.
Sluggish blood and lymphatic flow in areas of fat deposition such as the buttocks and thighs seem to also play a role in fostering the development of cellulite. It is possible this leads to inefficient removal of metabolic byproducts that are harmful to tissue and stimulate or promote the formation of cellulite.
Generally speaking, inflammation is an unhealthy state for most tissue including the fat compartment. Proteins that stimulate inflammation may play a role in contributing to cellulite.
Treatment Options for Cellulite and Skin Textural Changes to the Buttocks & Thighs
The correct choice or combination of treatment options for cellulite depends on the morphology (shape) and type of cellulite. This is extremely important not only to successful procedures but also for patient satisfaction.
The following treatments are commonly used alone or in combination for treating cellulite, dimples, and wavy skin textural changes on the buttocks and thighs:
A combination approach is sometimes ideal to improve the stubborn appearance of skin texture and dimples associated with cellulite. Non-invasive and minimally invasive techniques are often combined with topical skin care regimens at Art of Skin MD to achieve the aesthetic goals of our patients in regards to cellulite.
If you are looking for a non-surgical way for getting rid of cellulite and body contouring in the San Diego area, call Dr. Melanie Palm at 858.792.SKIN (7546) to schedule your appointment.
