Does Liposuction Remove Cellulite?

Athēnix specializes in techniques that can improve the contour of your body. Our solutions include advanced liposuction through VASER®, which prevents damage to surrounding tissues and offers patients a faster recovery with less bruising, bleeding, and swelling.

Our Orange County liposuction patients often want to know whether the treatment can fix cellulite as well. Liposuction targets stubborn areas of fat that don’t seem to respond to proper diet and exercise, but it does not specifically “fix” cellulite. To understand why, it helps to know how cellulite differs from the fat cells that liposuction removes.

What is Cellulite and What Causes It?

Cellulite is normal fat that makes legs, hips, and thighs appear “puckered” because the fat is pushing against the connective tissue above. As a result, the appearance of cellulite is as much about the tissue as it is about the fat.

Orange County liposuction patients often put too much value on the relationship between weight and cellulite. Thin people are also susceptible to cellulite, though additional weight can make cellulite more apparent. Other causes include:

•     Your diet. If you eat poorly or follow fad diets, it can increase the appearance of cellulite.
•     The thickness and tone of your skin. Cellulite may stand out more depending on these traits.
•     Limited physical activity and slow metabolism. Both can weaken the connective tissue that prevents skin puckering.
•     Changes in hormones. This occurs commonly as people age and can also weaken connective tissue.

For Liposuction Patients with Cellulite:

Athēnix’s liposuction procedure focuses on fat that forms at deeper levels of your body. However, the fat that causes cellulite is near the surface of the skin. As a result, liposuction does not remove cellulite, but it can improve your body’s silhouette and slim resistant areas of fat.

Whether you are specifically concerned about cellulite or you want the benefits that liposuction offers, we encourage you to make an appointment with our practice for an initial consultation. Our experienced and knowledgeable surgeons can evaluate your needs and your goals to help you choose an appropriate treatment.

Learn more about liposuction and other body sculpting options with Athēnix. Contact our Bellevue, Fresno, Irvine, Pasadena or Portland locations for a liposuction consultation today!