Does this
treatment work on men also?
Absolutely. Most men do not have cellulite but still benefit from
body shaping and toning of the skin. In fact, men respond to the treatment
faster than women do because of the structure of their skin and the
distribution of their adipose tissue. For problem areas such as "love
handles" and loose pectoral tissues, results have been excellent.
What is cellulite?
Cellulite is a skin condition, which
affects about 90% of women. Directly related to hormonal variations,
it also tends to worsen with age. Resulting from microcirculation
impairment, cellulite is a vicious circle involving fluid retention,
enlargement of fat cells and an alteration of the connective tissue.
Why does skin look dimpled when one has cellulite?
Clinically, the appearance of cellulite is the result of enlarged
hypodermic lobules, which give the skin the dimpled "orange peel"
look. As a woman, you have two opposing forces which create this visible
appearance of cellulite:
• Vertical connective tissue fibers pulling down on the skin
• Fluid retention and enlarged fat cells pushing up on the skin
Do diet and exercise get rid of cellulite?
NO. Because cellulite is a complex problem, it must be addressed from
the subcutaneous layer. Whereas both diet and exercise affect deep
fat, they fail to act on the underlying cause of cellulite found on
the superficial tissue of your skin. Even women who exercise regularly
and follow low-fat diets may still have cellulite.
Does endermologieŽ replace diet and exercise?
NO. Proper nutrition and physical activity are part of a healthy lifestyle
and are critical in either maintaining a healthy weight or as part
of a weight loss process. Inactivity and dietary imbalance not only
cause diseases, they are also two of the many factors involved in
the complex formation of cellulite. However,
even the strictest regimens have little or no impact on existing cellulite
or trapped fat such as "love handles" (for men) or "saddle bags" (for
women) found even in slim, sporty individuals. EndermologieŽ can help
in improving the appearance of these problem areas.
Does it replace liposuction?
In its November-December 1999 issue, Aesthetic Surgery Journal compared
the results of endermologie with external ultrasound-assisted liposuction
(EUAL) in cellulite and body contouring: "EUAL has no role in reducing
cellulite. Endermologie is the best choice for cellulite
reduction. Endermologie proves to be a non-invasive alternative to
body contouring but not as efficient as EUAL."
Endermologie is also recommended as a pre- and post-liposuction treatment:
| • |
Before liposuction, a series of endermologieŽ massages
will soften the fatty tissue - thus facilitating its surgical extraction
- and will minimize risks of skin irregularities. |
| • |
After liposuction, endermologieŽ is recommended
to maximize results, reduce structural irregularities and reduce
the rate of follow-up revision. |
What sensations will I experience during the
treatment? Does it hurt?
EndermologieŽ is a non-invasive and painless treatment. The sensation
is similar to a deep massage and most clients find it pleasant and
relaxing. The strength of the treatment can be individually adjusted
to your comfort level. For more comfort and privacy, patients wear
a pantyhose or special EndermowearŽ suit while treatments are being
administered.
How long does a session last? How many sessions
before I see results?
For slimming, skin toning and cellulite
reduction, sessions usually last 35 to 45 minutes. People begin to
see results between the 8th and 12th sessions on average although
some are lucky enough to notice visible changes after only a few sessions.
Age, lifestyle, nature of the condition and location of the problem
area will determine the number of sessions required. The "Services
and Prices" page will give you an idea of the number of sessions necessary
but these are guidelines based on averages and may be adjusted to
your personal case. Cellulite reduction often requires 14 to 16 sessions
as part of the initial treatment.
How often are sessions administered?
For cellulite and body-contouring, sessions
are usually administered twice a week at the beginning of the treatment,
then once or twice a week. People who are in the process of losing
a significant amount of weight will benefit from a single visit a
week whereas certain treatments (scars, post-liposuction) may on the
other hand require shorter but more frequent sessions.
How long do the results last?
For several months up to a few years, depending on age, lifestyle,
and hormonal changes. Once- or twice-a-month maintenance sessions
are recommended after completion of the initial treatment to prevent
cellulite from developing again or to enhance achieved results.
Will I lose weight?
Aesthetic endermologieŽ is a slimming, not a weight loss, method,
meaning you lose inches, not pounds. Many people report being able
to lose fat weight more easily while undergoing endermologie treatments
but endermologie merely increases the effects of the chosen weight
loss method (diet and/or exercise) and is not a weight loss method
in itself. However, endermologieŽ produces an increase of the lymphatic
flow and fights fluid retention so people may lose some water weight
as a result. Adequate water intake flushes wastes from the body and
endermologieŽ clients are advised to drink plenty of water every day.
What is the logic behind drinking more to avoid
water retention?
The human body is still programmed in very much the same way as it
was in prehistoric times when finding food depended on climatic and
natural conditions and shortages were common. Nature therefore provided
men and women with the ability to stock what their bodies were lacking
in preparation for times of hardship.
As a result, if you do not drink enough, your body will perceive it
as a threat to its survival and stock fluid. Since we are unlikely
to experience long periods of starvation in rich countries, the stored
water will remain trapped in the body.
In the same way, some people experience sudden and apparently unexplained
weight gain after undergoing extremely drastic diets. Once again,
the body perceives this insufficient food and nutrient intake as a
threat and will stock fat for survival. This is why people should
seek advice from a certified nutritionist before following a diet
in order not to jeopardize their metabolism with drastic and imbalanced
nutritional behavior.
Cellulite (in the hypodermis) and the deep reserve fat layer (closer
to the muscle and only present in women) follow the same logic: under
the action of female hormones, fat and water were stocked to provide
a reserve for mothers to syphon from when they would breastfeed their
infants in times of food shortages. The fat thus securely stored could
only be released through at least 8 months of breastfeeding or 6 months
of starvation. These conditions are rarely met in modern societies
while this trapped fat is still being produced by the same hormonal
process. What used to be a "survival kit" for mankind has now become
unsightly deposits of trapped fat.
