Mechanical Cellulite Treatment (Endermologie®) Information

Treatments for cellulite remain largely unsuccessful because they only target the appearance of cellulite. Cellulite shows itself as dimpling on the surface of the skin which is sometimes referred to as looking like “orange peel”. It is caused by alterations to fat cells in the subcutaneous fat layer of the skin. As these alterations happen below the surface of the skin, it soon became obvious that to reduce these bumps and ripples would require a deep acting treatment.

Endermologie®, a sub dermal (or under the skin) approach to treating cellulite, was pioneered by LPG Systems in France in the 1990’s. Since its introduction to the U.S.A., Endermologie® has become the world’s first patented technology to be approved by the American Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

The FDA supports the claim that deep mechanical massage with Endermologie® “temporarily reduces the circumferential body measurements in cellulite treated areas.” Put simply, in patients who have had Endermologie® to treat cellulite, their bodies have lost inches or an obvious “fatty” appearance in the areas treated. However, this effect is not permanent.

Although this treatment is generally targeted at women, there is medical evidence in men that has shown positive results for problem areas such as "love handles" and loose pectoral (chest) tissue.

According to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), just under 54,000 Americans had cellulite treatment (mechanical roller massage therapy) in 2005, a decrease of 34% on 2004 figures. (Note: ASAPS appear to have stopped reporting on statistics for cellulite (mechanical massage) treatments after 2005).

Endermologie® is non-surgical and non-invasive. It involves the use of a motorized device with two adjustable rollers and controlled suction. The skin gently folds and unfolds under the continuous action of the rollers and is literally “smoothed out”. Under the skin, the tissues have also been flattened which lessens the appearance of the cellulite.

As a result of this action, the circulation of the blood is increased and this nourishes the blood cells under the skin. At the same time, toxins and unwanted fluid are also removed. It is also claimed that new collagen is stimulated to grow in the treated area.

Other benefits of this treatment include reduction in minor muscle spasms and pains.

Other machines marketed in the U.K. for the treatment of cellulite also claim to work on the principal of vacuum massage and skin rolling. However, as an Endermologie® machine is a patented device of LPG systems, other equipment used by clinics (or devices that you can use at home) may not necessarily repeat the results achieved with Endermologie® and thus may not be as successful.

What happens during the treatment and how long will it take to recover?

Careful discussions regarding your reasons for wanting treatment of your cellulite are very important before you begin the treatment. You must also make sure that this treatment can deliver what you want and how you would like to look afterwards. It is also worth researching whether this is the right sort of machine to treat your particular kind of cellulite and how successful it has been on other patients. Your practitioner should be able to answer all these questions.

A medical history should also be taken to make sure that there are no reasons why you shouldn’t undertake treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form which means that you have understood the potential benefits and risks associated with the procedure.

Photographs may also be taken by the practitioner for a "before and after" comparison at a later date.

Procedure

This will differ depending on the type of machine used, but for Endermologie®, the following procedure is usually undertaken:

During each session, the patient wears a specially designed body stocking. The skin is literally “hoovered” with the head of the Endermologie® machine. Your problem areas are focused on, but time is given to other areas to stimulate general circulation and the removal of toxins and fluid.

Treatment sessions are usually recommended twice weekly and last for approximately 35 minutes.

Repeat Procedures

You should usually see changes within 5 or 6 sessions, but 14 is the average number of suggested treatments. Monthly maintenance sessions are then suggested afterwards to maintain the results.

Recovery time

None is required and you can return to work or normal activities immediately after a treatment.

Some people find the action of the machine mildly uncomfortable, but it is not painful.

There is a risk of mild bruising of the skin that may occasionally occur in the area treated.

Most patients report a feeling of relaxation and an increase in energy following this deep massage treatment. Since the lymph system is stimulated by this procedure, it is important for the success of your treatment that you drink at least two litres of water every day during treatment in order to help the removal of toxins, which are disturbed by this process.

There are currently no before and after images available for the use of cellulite treatment.

Cellulite Treatment (Mechanical Massage)