|
|
|
|
Cellulite describes the soft, undulating, visibly non-scarring inpocketings in skin that usually occur on the thighs and buttocks in 85% of women who are over 25 years of age. Cellulite may even be the end result of a variety of diseases that cause inflammation and changes in the dermal matrix and the septae (fiber tissue walls) that descend from the dermis (leather layer) into the fat. Whatever the microscopic or chemical cause, cellulite is likely caused by a tethering (drawing tighter) of the fibrous connections from the deep fat and fascia that attach to the underside of the dermis. The tethering of cellulite may be the result of tightening of the tethers (connections) or of an enlargement of the nearby fat that is "pouching out" around and against the relatively constant tethers. Men appear to have septae that are different than those of women, whose septae form pockets. Therefore, usually men do not "get cellulite." Cellulite may or may not be improved, and sometime it may even be made worse, by liposuction. A nonsurgical technique called endodermologie may reduce cellulite, unfortunately the effect is usually temporary. Some experts (Leibaschoff of Argentina) feel that a major cause of cellulite is lymphedema. Edema fluid can be caused by liposuction (see section on Swelling and Edema). Preventing a long-standing cycle of edema (swelling fluid) following liposuction may, therefore, be important in reducing the chances that liposuction will cause unwanted cellulite formation. Endodermologie (note the French sounding name) is a vacuuming technique applied to the outer skin. An injured Frenchman developed to treat his own injuries. The endodermologie machine is essentially a vacuum with rollers as edge seals. The edge rollers allow the technician to roll the vacuum over most parts of the skin that are not too curved without breaking the seal. A nylon stocking is usually applied to reduce friction. Endodermologie is a comfortable, and most say enjoyable, technique that is usually performed in 40-minute sessions that cost between $80 and $100. Initially, fifteen treatments are given over a compressed time interval, and these are followed by monthly maintenance. Unfortunately, the effects are mostly temporary. No fat is removed; therefore, patients should not lose any weight as a result of endodermologie treatments alone. The technique is not invasive (it is not done by cutting or entering the body). The effect of endodermologie is to gently pull on the surface of the skin. The vacuum probably pulls on the tethers and loosens or stretches them. If you are one of the fortunate patients to have a good endodermologie result, you will likely need to keep returning for endodermologie treatments forever in order to get "your tethers stretched" to maintain those results. The Fort Lauderdale-based company (of no relation, either financial or other to the website author) is careful to state in their own literature that endodermologie does not remove cellulite but rather "reduces" the appearance of cellulite. Endodermologie Photos and Images
|
Click here
to Contact the Author
|
