At least eight out of 10 women have cellulite in areas such as their thighs, hips and buttocks. Many women resort to cellulite creams, massage therapy or anti-cellulite vacuum treatments to help diminish the "cottage cheese" appearance of the skin. However, although anti-cellulite vacuum treatments may temporarily improve the appearance of skin, there is little evidence to suggest that they are effective for getting rid of cellulite. Does this Spark an idea?
Function
Anti-cellulite vacuum treatments are designed to tone the skin, eliminate toxins, increase blood circulation, stimulate the lymphatic system and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Anti-cellulite vacuum treatments can be used on all "problem" areas including the hips, thighs, buttocks, arms and stomach areas.
Makers of the machines and devices claim that a series of cellulite treatments can help to break down fatty deposits and tone the skin so that it appears smoother. The vacuum pump pulls up the skin slightly from the muscle, and a heated massage may then be performed so that the skin and surrounding tissues becomes more resilient.
Availability
Some medical spas and day spas offer vacuum treatments for cellulite, but there are also a number of anti-cellulite vacuum treatment devices available in the consumer market. Spas may offer the SmoothShapes or Synergie cellulite treatments that use a combination of a vacuum and massage rollers to tone the skin. Handheld devices available to consumers include the Starvac Vacuum Massage and the Celluless Anti-Cellulite Treatment Vacuum System.
Effects
The SmoothShapes system is designed by Eleme Medical, and uses a combination of laser and light therapy with rollers and a vacuum to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Eleme Medical claims that SmoothShapes helps to remodel the skin so that it appears smoother, tighter and more toned.
The Synergie cellulite treatment delivers an intensive subdermal massage, and the makers of this system claim that this helps to eliminate excess fat trapped under the skin and also tightens and tones. The procedure is painless, and a series of treatments is required in order to achieve visible results.
The makers of the Starvac Vacuum Massage Cellulite treatment system claim that treatments can also treat muscular contraction, relieve spasms and improve circulation problems.
The makers of the Celluless Anti Cellulite Treatment Vacuum System claim that their innovative "Vacumterapia technique" stimulates both the inner and outer layers of the skin, and can help reduce cellulite and also restore skin firmness and smoothness.
Misconceptions
Even though the makers of these devices such claim that these products are the best alternative to invasive surgery, the trapped fatty tissue under the skin does not disappear with vacuum therapy. Cellulite vacuum therapy can help to tighten and tone the skin to create a smoother appearance so that cellulite becomes less noticeable, but does not actually get rid of cellulite. Losing weight or having liposuction is also ineffective for treating cellulite, and weight loss can even make cellulite more noticeable.
Speculation
Anti-cellulite vacuum treatments are not backed by extensive clinical studies or trials, and can not get rid of cellulite completely. People undergoing treatments are advised to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly so that the lymphatic system can continue to flush out toxins from the intensive massage session. While some devices and treatments may help to firm and tone the skin, this may be the result of the deep-tissue massage that often accompanies the cellulite treatment. There are still no scientifically-proven methods for getting rid of cellulite.
