Saturday, July 5, 2008

The skinny on Cellulite

The skinny on Cellulite

Everyone – even skinny supermodels – can get cellulite. Although regular exercise, adequate water intake and a low-fat diet are key in eliminating this unsightly problem, doctors have found a few dimple-reducing treatments to help ease the bumpiness in life.

Singapore (PRWEB) September 3, 2004

Aesthetic Physician, Dr. Low Chai Ling, is plugging carboxytherapy as the latest and greatest technique to eliminate the pitted appearance of cellulite.

“Some ladies have spent hundreds of dollars on body wraps and cellulite creams with little success. With carboxytherapy, patients can expect to see visible results after a series of 6-10 treatments! Most of them are extremely happy with their results so far,” she said.

“It is a non surgical method. Carbon dioxide is infiltrated into the subcutaneous tissue through a tiny needle about 0.3mm in diameter.”

“How does the carbon dioxide work? Firstly, and quite simply carbon dioxide mechanically kills fat cells. Secondly, it also causes dilation of blood vessels in the area. Wider vessels mean bigger and stronger blood flow to the area, which means more oxygen. The increase in oxygen is important because it eliminates the built up fluid from between the cells. The end result is fewer fat cells and firmer tissue.”

Mother of a 2 month old baby herself, Dr. Low first performed the treatment on herself. 8 weeks after the baby was born, she is fitting into her pre-pregnancy clothes again.

S. L. Lock, 58, a patient of Dr. Low at The Sloane Clinic swears by the treatment even after her initial course of 6 sessions for maintenance of her figure. She has undergone the procedure 10 times so far and still continues to undergo the procedure once a month for maintenance.

"I've tried many different diets, exercise. I tried tablets, I tried creams but to no avail," she said.

“I was anxious about results and was disappointed when I didn’t see any change after my first treatment. However after my 5th session I noticed that my skin looks noticeably healthier. Around the 9th session, I began to appreciate that my thighs felt firmer and was less lumpy-looking.”

When asked if this is a treatment she will continue putting her money on, Madam Lock commented, “Until another better and cheaper treatment comes along, I will be continuing with my carboxytherapies for the years ahead. I think it complements my fitness regime and my lifestyle perfectly.”

Priced at US$60-80 per session, carboxytherapy offers a surprisingly affordable alternative to the more invasive liposuction and the more expensive endermology procedures.

Dr. Kenneth Lee of Eastlife Medical Centre also sees between 5-10 patients a day requesting for such cellulite treatments. He combines his carboxytherapy treatments with mesotherapy for greater results, especially for patients with “stubborn pockets of fat”

“Treatments such as carboxytherapy and mesotherapy are popular with women nowadays because they provide another option for them to treat their cellulite. However, long term results can only be maintained by a healthy diet and regular exercise,” he stressed.

Though popular, carboxytherapy is clearly still not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. For those who think they have found a permanent cure for cellulite, think again.

“If you choose to follow a healthy diet complemented by regular exercise, the cellulite can stay away for years after these cellulite treatments. If you tend to overeat and never quite find the time for that hour in the gym, the cellulite will return much quicker. On average, it'll be 5 to 6 months before you see it starting to creep back in though,” warns Dr. Low Chai Ling

Dr Low Chai Ling is an aesthetic physician at The Sloane Clinic in Singapore.

The Sloane Clinic can be contacted on (65) 6533 2522 or visit www. sloaneclinic. com

Dr Kenneth Lee is a medical physician at Eastlife Medical Centre in Singapore.

Eastlife Medical Centre can be contacted on (65) 6746 6606

For information about Carboxytherapy, please visit www. sloaneclinic. com.

Disclaimer

The information is made available for information purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Also, the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information is not guaranteed. The author does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professional.

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