Understanding cellulite

Discover how Endermologie can activate inner power, improving the appearance of cellulite

Cellulite is an aesthetic problem that affects most women. It is characterised by a dimpled appearance of the skin surface, also called orange-peel aspect. Mainly located on the buttocks and thighs, this aspect is due to the fat cells chambers (lobules), whose architecture is specific in women, being pushed to the surface of the skin.

Internal factors cause cellulite and involve complex mechanisms including water retention, adipocyte volume increase and fibrosis. Other factors can also aggravate it: hormonal imbalance, sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, stress, and venous insufficiency.

There are three components of cellulite and all three may be found in the same person to different degrees:

• Adipose: this corresponds to an increase in the number or volume of adipocytes associated with metabolic dysfunction. This is linked particularly to an alteration in the mechanisms of lipogenesis (synthesis of triglycerides/fat storage) and lipolysis (lysis of triglycerides/fat release).

• Fibrosis: this is due to the passing of water and large proteins in the tissues. The poor resorption by the lymphatic system of these proteins will lead to the formation of fibrosis. This phenomenon is, therefore, progressive, resulting from water retention, and may appear several years later.

• Water retention: this is linked to the passing of water from the vessels into the tissues (dermis and hypodermis) and is due to an increase in pressure in the venous sector (chronic venous insufficiency) or an excess of capillary permeability or a defect in lymphatic drainage (constitutional or acquired).

Benefits of Endermologie

Thanks to its original tissue mechanisation process, Endermologie targets the three components of cellulite. Through its action on venolymphatic circulation, potential fibrosis and lipolysis, Endermologie has a real effective action on cellulite.

Because of its circulatory, anti-fibrosis and pro-lipolytic properties (stimulation of the natural fat release), Endermologie is effective in the treatment of this dimpled aspect of the skin, which concerns about 90% of women between 30 and 54 years of age.

Contrary to the effects on fibrosis and adipocytes, which depend on each type and the aggravating factors, the effect of Endermologie on water retention is practically immediate and is observed from the very first session. Therefore, in some cases, an aggravation of the degree of severity may occur during the first sessions.

Why is this? Imagine being on a beach: shells are the bumpy aspect of cellulite and the tide is the water retention. It is only at low tide that shells appear on the sand. If this confusing phenomenon occurs, do not panic. Endermologie has done its job of draining. The sessions must be continued so that the mechanical stimulation awakens the adipocytes and/or acts on the fibrosis and the smoothing effect is finally revealed.

To start, an average of 10 sessions are recommended, two per week. Then, maintenance sessions once or twice a month are highly recommended to maintain the results in the long term.