www.science-talks-cellulite.co.uk

Price: Around £1,000

Wellbox is a home use version of the professional LPG endermologie machines that are used in salons. Endermologie by LPG is the most efficient technique for the reduction of cellulite.

Wellbox uses rollers and suction to smooth out the subcutaneous layer in the skin. Lipomassage improves blood and lymphatic circulation and helps break down the hardened fibrosis tissue that is cellulite.

Wellbox is compact, light weight and portable. It features 5 interchangeable treatment heads in different sizes to treat all different areas of the body. The different settings cater to all skin types and sensitivities. It comes with a detailed training video.

Rating: 8/10

Recommended for: Those who have tried diet and exercise and seen no major improvement in their cellulite as this group of people see the best results. People who are overweight may not see vast improvements in their cellulite. Wellbox treatment requires the user to have enough spare time and not mind doing repetitive treatments. Wellbox is pricey and not everyone will want to spend this amount of money, but if used often over a long period of time (many people find this difficult) the results can be similar to the professional endermologie treatments and save you hundreds of pounds. Plus treatments can be done in the privacy of your home without any embarrassment.

Ultrasound Devices

Ultrasound uses sound waves at a high frequency to vibrate the skin and underlying tissues causing them to heat up. The high temperature breaks down hardened fatty deposits and causes fat cells to release their fat contents. Also the heat causes vasodilation of the blood vessels and therefore increases blood flow to the skin. This allows mobilised fat, waste and toxins to be carried away from the cellulite area. Overall skin condition is approved due to increased blood flow supplying nutrients and oxygen.

Home cellulite treatments using ultrasound (often called ultrasonic) uses wave frequencies of 1 MHz and 3 MHz.

Beauty Works Cellu Smooth - £50

Cellu Smooth is a home treatment system using ultrasound waves. It claims to give a visible result in the reduction of cellulite in at least 2 weeks.

How to perform Ultrasound

Move the sound head in gentle strokes and circles over the cellulite areas. Spend only a few minutes on each area of the body. Professional systems require an anti-inflammatory cream to use after treatment. A large number of toxins are released into the body's circulation so it is vital to drink plenty of fluids to help the kidneys flush out these toxins from the body.

Vacuum Massagers

Celluless (or Cellulife)

Celluless is a rechargeable portable cellulite vacuum massager. The suction creates a deep tissue massage. This principle is used in the much more expensive endermologie treatment.

Celluless claims to dramatically reduce cellulite. It lasts up to 8 hours on a single charge.

Rating: 5/10

Recommended for: cellulite sufferers who want to try a massage treatment at a low cost to see if it works for them. Other massage treatments such as wellbox and other lymphatic massage vacuum machines are more expensive. I have used celluless and thought the suction was powerful enough to really help cellulite but it stopped working after about 2 months and a single charge only lasted about 3 hours.

Compression Shorts Help Cellulite

Compression shorts/leggings exert pressure that stimulate the skin's fibroblasts to produce collagen by activating pressure sensitive receptors called integrins. More collagen will improve the structure of the skin's connective tissues.

Compression shorts also increase the absorption and penetration of the active anti-cellulite ingredients in creams.

Solidea Silver Wave Bottoms: Have a patented wave knit that micromassage the area increasing blood circulation. They also provide compression at certain points called the lymph nodes to improve lymph flow and drainage. The bottoms instantly reshape your silhouette and are comfy to wear all day long.

Shorts: £23

Leggings: £42

Rating: 9/10

Solidea Silver Wave Bottoms can be bought from Bliss Spa.

Scala Bio-Fir Underwear: Have been scientifically proven to reduce cellulite. These shorts contain active bio crystals in the fabric that warm up when in contact with the skin. The heat stimulates cell metabolism and blood circulation. Fat cells are stimulated to release their contents which are then expelled by the body via the liver.

82% of women who wore them each day for a month found a reduction in their cellulite.

Shorts can be re-worn and washed countless times.

Price Shorts: £25 High waisted shorts: £30

Scala Bio-Fir underwear is available from John Lewis.

Do compression shorts really help cellulite?

Dry Skin Brushing

Dry skin brushing is a cheap and effective way to treat cellulite if carried out daily. Dry skin brushing stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation which help carry toxins away and bring oxygen and nutrients to the surface of the skin. Fatty deposits are broken down and carried away via increased circulation. It also removes dead skin cells which in turn stimulates new cell growth and production of new smoother skin.

Do for about 5 minutes each day. Start body brushing at the feet working up the legs in long movements. Always brush towards the heart. Use circular clockwise movements at the abdomen. Don't be too rough as this can damge the delicate blood vessels at the surface of the skin and cause thread veins.

Cellulite-Ltd III

Cellulite-Ltd III is a solid disk made out of minerals that are beneficial to the skin- zinc oxide, sodium chloride, sulphur, iron oxide, copper oxide, magnesium stearate and polyethylene glycol. The disk is applied to the skin when wet and then left to dry for about 5 minutes just like a cream. This product is 100% refundable for 120 days for any reason.

Topical Skin Products for Cellulite

Adonia LegTone Serum

This cellulite serum is unique as it contains plant stem cells. Plant stem cells stimulate our own skin stem cells which help regenerate and renew the skin. It also contains 23 organic Greek botanicals.

In strict clinical trials conducted by independent laboratories it was found that:

47% of women had a decrease in the appearance of cellulite after 9 minutes

72% of women had a decrease in the appearance of cellulite after 6 weeks

Cellulite Suppress Formula

This is a cream produced by Life extension containing 7 compounds that will address the underlying abnormalities that cause cellulite, based on extensive research.

The 7 compounds are:

Adiposlim TM - fat reducing

Adipoless TM - fat reducing

Glycyrrhetinic acid (from licorice) - anti inflammatory, fights cortisol

Phycoboreane (Marine extracts) - fat reducing

Rhodysterol (Marine extracts) - fat reducing

Escin from Horse chestnut extract - improves microcirculation and reduces capillary leakage which leads to water retention. Antioxidant.

Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) - stimulates collagen production

Cellulite is not widely available in the UK yet. It is available to buy online at about £25 for 180ml (6 Oz).

Cellulean

Cellulean ACTIVE Cellulite Treatment Serum contains 2% aminophylline and transdermal carrying agents capable of transporting the aminophylline through the skin.

TargeX

Targex Heat by ZSupps is a topical solution specially formulated to treat cellulite. It's main ingredients are:

Aminophylline

Glycrrhetinic Acid

Raspberry Ketones

Topical aminophylline has been scientifically proven to reduce fat in the thighs of women. Aminophylline activates beta receptors on fat cells which then stimulate fat cells to break down fat. Aminophylline also stimulates blood flow in the skin's fat layers allowing the body to flush away the broken down fat. Topically applied glycrrhetinic acid reduces the thickness of subcutaneous fat by blocking the effects of cortisol only in these areas. Red raspberries contain an aromatic compound that activates hormone sensitive lipase. Lipase causes fat to break down and be burned as fuel for the body.

Apply twice a day. It is recommended to apply TargeX on a 2 week on - 2 week off basis on each area.

Improving Penetration of Skin Creams

The active ingredients need to pass through the epidermis into the deeper layers of skin. This can be achieved to some extent by carefully formulating products so that more of the active ingredient gets down into the target areas.

Greater penetration can be achieved with: Iontophoresis (galvanic current), low frequency sonophoresis (LFS) or physical interference with the barrier properties of the stratum corneum by microneedling or microdermabrasion.

Iontophoresis (using Galvanic current)

Iontophoresis (using Galvanic current)

Using galvanic current together with your skin care can cause about 400% better penetration than simple topical applications. It works by a process called Iontophoresis. A selected molecule such as Vitamin A is ionised into positively and negatively charged ions. A charged electrical current repels similarly charged ions into the skin, the cells and even right into their mitochondria. The ionic charge insists in opening the skin's pores to receive the active ingredients.

Together with an anti-cellulite or anti-stretch mark cream, treatment should be done for at least 20 minutes once or twice a week for 24-30 treatments.

Low Frequency Sonophoresis (LFS)

LFS uses sounds at a frequency of about 20 kHz at an effective intensity. Together with topical skin care up to 4000% better penetration can occur in as little as 3 minutes of treatment. LFS works by causing rapid cavitation of the lipid bilayers of the skin which is maintained for several hours after the treatment. Non polar molecules can be used with this treatment. Using LFS with suitable topical substances can result in dramatic rejuvenation of the skin.

Treatment should be done once or twice a week for 24-30 treatment sessions. Best results will be achieved using a combination of LFS and iontophoresis.

Ultrasound which uses frequencies of about 1.1 MHz will not cause a great increase in penetration. It does not have the same powerful properties as LFS or Galvanic current.

Microneedling

Microneedling of the skin increases penetration by making very small holes through the stratum corneum of the skin only. This allows the active ingredients such as vitamin A and C to pass through the skin's barrier the stratum corneum and enter the deeper layers of skin. This is not painful and does not make the skin bleed.

It can be done at home using a derma roller. Use it once or twice a day for about 3-5 minutes on each area before applying your skin care.

Microtrauma (achieved using larger length needles) is NOT needed to enhance penetration of active ingredients. Therefore the needles used to enhance penetration are very small (less than 0.5 mm)

Microneedling is also called 'Collagen Induction Therapy'. The higher quality derma roller available to buy are the Scientia derma roller and Dr.Roller derma roller.

Microneedling for Skin Rejuvenation

Skin rejuvenation, including the reduction of stretch marks, scars, hyperpigmentation and even cellulite, is achieved by microtrauma using longer lengths of needle (more than 0.5 mm). Microtrauma works by controlled damage to either individual cells or all the cells of the epidermis and dermis. This then induces the natural healing process and the release of various growth factors.

To ensure safety the smallest length needle possible should be used to prevent excessive trauma.

Derma rollers in various length needles e.g. 1.0 mm, 2.0 mm are available to buy for home use. Added benefit in using a derma roller is the increased penetration of topical skin products. The derma roller should be used with vitamin A, vitamin C and other antioxidants to rejuvenate the skin.

Skin Benefits of a Derma Roller:

• A thicker epidermis
• Healthier Keratinocytes allowing faster healing of the epidermis
• Better control of pigmentation and the prevention of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
• Increased collagen deposition by direct stimulation of the responsible genes
• A thicker dermis with better support for blood vessels
• Healthier blood supply to skin facilitating healing and growth
• Healthier collagen with topical vitamin C
• Greater elastin and collagen formation with added topical peptides e.g. Palmitoyl pentapeptide, palmitoyl hexapeptide