Smooth Away 'Cottage Cheese' Thighs with Endermologie ®

For years, women have been battling the war on cellulite, or what is more frequently referred to as “cottage cheese” or “orange peel” skin. Although we may be able to alleviate its appearance, cellulite is an ever-present conflict; it is impossible to get rid of entirely. Whether you are overweight, average, or underweight - anyone can get it.

This has been a problem I have been battling myself – cellulite has been a frustration of mine for years now. Even with my athletic background, I continue to develop unattractive “cottage cheese thighs.” But with a New Year to now enjoy, I have been working on making significant improvements upon myself physically, which includes attaining smoother, more attractive thighs!

So in order to better understand the problem of cellulite, I decided to visit a professional on this matter. I sought out the advice of Espie Byrd, an aesthetic consultant at the practice of Burr von Maur, M.D., F.A.C.S., an Orange County plastic surgeon in Mission Viejo, and decided to try out Endermologie (“connective tissue treatment”).

What is Endermologie?

Now referred to as Lipomassage ®, due to new technological advances, Endermologie is used as a full silhouette treatment. “It is manual manipulation with massage. Different than a deep tissue massage, it is more of a skin rolling technique; moving it and creating circulation to the skin tissue… It is best described as a ‘needing’ technique,” said Byrd, describing the technology behind Endermologie.

This procedure offers different levels of intensity, aspiration, and manipulation. The unique quality of Endermologie, in comparison to other cosmetic devices for treating cellulite, is that you can treat any woman at any size or any age.

My Endermologie treatment:

My target areas for treatment were my buttocks and thighs. I put on a full body suit and lied down on my stomach. The device ran along my body (from the back and arms to the legs), but mostly focused on my target areas. What the device is doing is providing manipulation to the area, which creates circulation throughout the body. (Cellulite is formed based on lack of circulation to the connective tissue). Because the device gave me a pinching sensation, I was slightly uncomfortable at some moments. Other than these sporadic awkward pinches, it mostly felt like a deep massage or a vacuum sucking up the skin on my body. Overall, it was relaxing and just felt like I was getting an intense massage.

Byrd explained that Endermologie provides different levels of intensity, making it easy to customize treatments for each patient. The average patient will undergo 10 sessions of treatment; however, more sessions may be recommended in order to attain the best results.

Endermologie can greatly improve the appearance of cellulite, but in order to best treat the issue, you must understand the science of cellulite. To my delight, Byrd made it easy for me to understand. Breaking the information up into bits and pieces, she answered my questions with knowledgeable insight:

What is cellulite?

We know what it looks like - dimplings on the skin. Depending on the stage of the cellulite it may not be visible (stage 2), only visible when pinched (stage 3), or always visible (stage 4). But the real question is: What exactly is creating the “cottage cheese” look?

Byrd describes cellulite as being composed in pockets of fat cells. “In between each pocket there is something called connective tissue (septa). When we don’t have enough oxygen or circulation going to surface of the skin, the lymph system is not pulling away toxins from the skin, which causes the septa to get hard and pull down on the area, and the fat cells to get swollen.” It is this that causes the appearance of cellulite!

Usually, those who smoke, drink a lot of caffeinated beverages, have a bad diet, or are going through hormonal stages end up developing cellulite. Also, if your mom has it, more likely you will get it, or already have it. Cellulite is not an uncommon issue; according to Byrd, 90 percent of women have it (visible and not), regardless of ethnicity, age, or skin type.

So how do we get rid of the cottage cheese look?

Byrd said that we must “bring circulation to the area in order to remove toxins.” She continues to say that, “We can use manipulation to bring blood to that area, breaking up the septa.”

Byrd suggests Endermologie (one of many treatments provided at Dr. von Maur’s practice) to bring circulation to the connective tissues. “Endermologie promotes circulation. Increase in circulation will help move things around, breaking up the septa,” said Byrd.

What about liposuction to help to reduce the appearance of cellulite?

Liposuction can minimally reduce the appearance of cellulite, and is typically used to only decrease the circumference of the target area. So for women seeking optimal results, liposuction can be paired up with Endermologie. In turn, liposuction will help to remove excess fat deposits from the area while Endermologie irons the texture (cellulite) out.

Above all, this could very well be the answer to alleviating the appearance of cellulite. Yet, preventing, eliminating, and reducing cellulite all comes down to maintenance, even with regular treatment. Byrd said the war on cellulite is a never-ending battle; it becomes a lifestyle change. She said that, “there is no quick fix” to completing getting rid of it.

In helping to uncover the new you, I will present at-home treatments for maintaining your Endermologie results and reducing the appearance of the “orange peel look.” Your new year doesn’t have to be a bumpy road.

(Stay tuned for more!)

Cost of Endermologie: $60 to $160 per session

Burr von Maur, M.D., F.A.C.S., Inc.
Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center
27800 Medical Center Road, Suite 351
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Phone: (949) 364-9107

Pictured: A patient of Espie Byrd at the office of Dr. von Maur.