Treatments for cellulite remain largely unsuccessful because they only target the appearance of cellulite. Cellulite shows itself as dimpling on the surface of the skin which is sometimes referred to as looking like “orange peel”. It is caused by alterations to fat cells in the subcutaneous fat layer of the skin. As these alterations happen below the surface of the skin, it soon became obvious that to reduce these bumps and ripples would require a deep acting treatment.
Endermologie®, a sub dermal (or under the skin) approach to treating cellulite, was pioneered by LPG Systems in France in the 1990’s. Since its introduction to the U.S.A., Endermologie® has become the world’s first patented technology to be approved by the American Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).
The FDA supports the claim that deep mechanical massage with Endermologie® “temporarily reduces the circumferential body measurements in cellulite treated areas.” Put simply, in patients who have had Endermologie® to treat cellulite, their bodies have lost inches or an obvious “fatty” appearance in the areas treated. However, this effect is not permanent.
Although this treatment is generally targeted at women, there is medical evidence in men that has shown positive results for problem areas such as "love handles" and loose pectoral (chest) tissue.
According to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), just under 54,000 Americans had cellulite treatment (mechanical roller massage therapy) in 2005, a decrease of 34% on 2004 figures. (Note: ASAPS appeared to stop reporting on statistics for cellulite (mechanical massage) treatments after 2005. They started recording data again in 2013 for cellulite treatments using devices including Cellulaze, Cabochon and Smoothshapes however.)
According to 2017 statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), 9,581 cellulite treatments, a decrease of 18.9% on the previous, were performed in the U.S. Again, ASAPS stopped recording data for cellulite treatments in 2018.
No similar statistics are available for the United Kingdom yet, but each year, more and more people in this country are having forehead lifts.
If you are considering Endermologie®, the following information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure. It can't answer all your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the practitioner. Please ask a practitioner about anything you don't understand.