If you’re one of the estimated 98 percent of women and 10 percent of men who have at least one area of the body affected by that stubborn, dimpled fat known as cellulite, you’ve probably tried at least once to get rid of it to no avail. In fact, according to ABC News, American women spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year on creams, devices and those scary-looking fascia balls in an effort to rid themselves of that lumpy look, but most probably haven’t seen much in the way of results.

That’s because by nature, cellulite isn’t easy to remove. Cellulite isn’t just fat, it’s fat that has essentially “poked through” your connective tissue, creating little lumps underneath the skin. The reason women get more cellulite than men is that women have fewer bands of connective tissue than men. In fact, men have more than twice as much connective tissue as women – not to mention that women’s connective tissue bands run vertically while men’s tissue crisscrosses, forming a tighter weave that is harder for fat to poke through. Cellulite usually appears on the lower body, typically in the abdomen, hips and thighs, where the female body tends to accumulate fat to aid in the childbearing process.

So, can anything be done about cellulite? We’re so glad you asked! There are actually a few effective options for reducing the appearance of cellulite that you may want to consider.

Diet and exercise

You have probably already tried this, but it bears repeating. Cellulite is fat, and the most effective way to lose fat is through diet and exercise. While even skinny and fit people can still have some deposits of cellulite, maintaining a healthy weight and staying active can help reduce the look and feel of cellulite. For the leftover dimpling that diet and exercise still can’t fix, try …

Liposuction

Though it doesn’t work for every patient, some patients do show some improvement in the appearance of cellulite following liposuction.

VaserSHAPE

VaserSHAPE is a non-surgical treatment that can temporarily reduce both the look and feel of cellulite. VaserSHAPE uses ultrasound diathermy in conjunction with zonal lymphatic massage. This increases blood circulation in the areas affected by cellulite, and most patients notice an almost immediate reduction in the appearance of cellulite. Best of all, the treatment is virtually painless, with most patients likening it to a hot stone massage. Though the results of VaserSHAPE are not permanent, they can last for as long as two years, depending on how well the patient maintains a healthy diet following the procedure.

If you’re interested in learning more about VaserSHAPE, liposuction or any other procedure, please give Dr. Bruce Chau’s office a call at 888-966-9471 and set up a complimentary consultation today.