What Causes Cellulite and How Can You Treat It?

Does cellulite cause you to feel insecure and frustrated? Do dieting and exercising not target the area you want to deal with the most? At Alamo Ranch, we provide expert treatments to help reduce the appearance of cellulite with long-term results.

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite is a harmless skin condition where the connective bands in areas of fat accumulation pull the skin down, causing uneven skin texture. The texture is often compared to an orange peel with peaks and valleys. 

Cellulite is more common and visible in women than men. The most common areas for cellulite include the hips, thighs, abdomen, buttocks, and breasts. 

What Causes Cellulite?

While the direct cause of cellulite is unknown, it is commonly seen with the buildup of fat under the skin. People of any body type or weight can get cellulite. Research indicates that cellulite may be caused by:

• Hormones
• Unhealthy lifestyle
• Poor diet
• Weight gain
• Inactivity
• Accumulated toxins
• Genetics
• Pregnancy

The amount of cellulite you suffer from may be based on genetics, body fat percentage, and age. It is more common to see cellulite as you age and your skin thins and loses elasticity. 

How Can I Treat Cellulite?

Topical treatments may treat cellulite, but the results rarely last long. At Alamo Ranch, we use body contouring equipment, such as VelaShape® III, to reduce the appearance of cellulite. 

VelaShape® III is an FDA-cleared body contouring device to reduce the circumference of your abdomen or thighs and the appearance of cellulite. It uses three types of energies: infrared light, radiofrequency energy, and vacuum suction. 

How Does VelaShape® III Work?

The infrared light and RF energy heat the fat and deeper layers of skin to signal for more collagen and elastin production. The vacuum suction massages the tissue to stimulate the skin and connective tissue, breaking down the fibrous bands called septae. By releasing the bands and stimulating more collagen, VelaShape® III reduces the appearance of your cellulite.

The results of VelaShape® III are not a cure for cellulite. The best results are after three treatments for a few weeks, with final results appearing in the weeks following your last session. With VelaShape® III, you will notice a reduction in the appearance of cellulite for several months. 

Is There Any Downtime With VelaShape® III?

There is no downtime needed with VelaShape® III. Alamo Ranch’s body contouring treatment is entirely non-invasive and causes no discomfort. We recommend avoiding direct sun exposure and applying sunscreen regularly to treated areas after every session. 

Am I a Good Candidate for VelaShape® III?

Anyone wanting to reduce the appearance of cellulite or fat cells is a good candidate for VelaShape® III. The best candidates for body contouring have a BMI less than 30, mild to moderate cellulite, and realistic expectations for their treatment. 

VelaShape® III is not a weight loss solution. Diet and exercise are still recommended for permanent weight loss. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical implant or are taking blood thinners, you may not be a good candidate for VelaShape® III.

Take the Next Step

If you have further questions about VelaShape® III, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at Alamo Ranch Laser Aesthetics. Call us at (210) 999-9588 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to helping you.