Cellulite is caused by a buildup of fat underneath the skin, and it occurs when the skin overlying certain areas of fat is pulled downward to the deeper tissues by connective tissue bands, creating an uneven surface. While there are many over-the-counter cellulite products that claim to help remove impurities and toxins from the body, neither their efficacy nor their claims about what causes cellulite are supported by science. However, some topical treatments may help to reduce the visibility of cellulite, but the effects may not be long-lasting. Anti-cellulite creams are a topical product that you apply directly to cellulite. These creams typically feature specific ingredients that help reduce the visibility of cellulite, such as methylxanthines like caffeine, retinol, a vitamin A derivative, alpha-tocopherol, or vitamin E, ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, aminophylline, and botanical extracts, including gingko, centella, pineapple, quinoa, and yuzu. While these ingredients may help improve the appearance of cellulite, they don’t remove it.
There are some treatments that can make cellulite less noticeable, at least for a while. Acoustic wave therapy and laser treatments have been shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite. During one minimally invasive laser treatment called Cellulaze™, a tiny laser fiber is inserted beneath your skin. When the laser is fired, the laser energy breaks up the tough bands beneath the skin that cause us to see cellulite. This treatment can also thicken your skin, which is important because skin often thins where cellulite forms. Thickening the skin can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. However, the results of these procedures can vary, and they generally still won’t make cellulite disappear completely.
In summary, cellulite is caused by a buildup of fat underneath the skin, and while there are many over-the-counter cellulite products that claim to help remove impurities and toxins from the body, their efficacy is not supported by science. Anti-cellulite creams may help improve the appearance of cellulite, but they don’t remove it. Acoustic wave therapy and laser treatments have been shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite, but the results can vary, and they generally still won’t make cellulite disappear completely.
