Cellulite is one of the most feared cosmetic problems that women face today and there is no easy solution to this. Cellulite is seen even in slim women so it is a myth that it is only related to fat. There are multiple factors that cause cellulite, fat is just one of them.

Cellulite is the orange peel effect with dimpling of the skin that is usually seen in the thighs, buttocks, upper arms mostly although it can be seen in most areas like abdomen and back.

There are varying degrees of severity of cellulite and if its not addressed early enough it can progress in severity.

The reason for this effect of the skin is the accumulation of excessive fat cells underneath the skin which are separated by fibrous bands called septa. Due to various influences such as genetics, hormones, bad lifestyle, unhealthy food with high sugar, high salt, high fat, lack of exercise and tone, ageing, thinning skin etc it all shows up as dimples and irregular surfaces on the skin.

There are various technologies that have been developed to target cellulite including lasers, vibration and massage therapies, creams, therapies etc and they all work on the basis of either reducing the amount of fat, by shrinking the fat cells, by disrupting the fibrous setae or by thickening the skin so the cellulite shows less.

One of the new technologies on the block that is making waves is the ‘Z Wave’ technology by Zimmer. Zimmer is the German brand and the makers of Z wave and Z lipo cryolipolysis.

Z wave uses high energy radial shock waves that specifically disrupts the targeted connective tissue and thus improves circulation and collagen formation. The shock waves destroy the gas bubbles that are present within the fatty layer and when these gas bubbles reopen, they trigger collagen production.

The procedure is very comfortable without the need of any local anaesthesia or numbing creams. It takes about 5-15 minutes depending on the areas that need targeting. Several sessions (10-15) are needed however to see a dramatic improvement in the appearance of cellulite.

Z wave can be undertaken also after Cryolipolysis or fat freezing treatment which targets stubborn areas of fat, reducing the deposits and contouring the body. Excess fat is targeted this way as well as collagen stimulation and skin tightening achieved by the Z Wave. Z wave is also typically used at the end of a cryolipolysis cycle to disrupt and destroy more fat cells and also to tighten the area.

Radial shock wave technology has been used in medicine for a long time in orthopeduics, urology, physiotherapy and veterinary medicine. The acoustic waves produced by the shock waves have biologic effects which are being used more and more in medicine.

Along with the treatment however an improving one’s lifestyle should bring about a big change. exercise regularly to increase muscle and tone, avoid sugar, processed foods. Eat healthy well balanced meals with an antioxidant rich diet comprising of fruits and berries. Dry brushing the area helps to improve circulation and this can be followed by coffee based anti cellulite creams. This will all help to smooth and tone the area and to banish that cellulite

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