Stretch marks and cellulite are very common among women. Statistics show 9 out of 10 women reported having cellulite and 8 out of 10 said they had stretch marks.
They are often mistaken as the same thing. In fact, they are fundamentally two different things caused by different reasons. Though both conditions are harmless to health, some people find them aesthetically unpleasant and may opt for cosmetic procedures to improve the appearance of the conditions.
Cellulite appears as dents over layers of the skin, making it appear uneven. It looks lumpy and dimpled like orange peel texture, and is commonly seen on lower parts of the body such as thighs, hips, buttocks and abdomen in women.
Cellulite forms inside the fatty layer that resides between the muscle and skin. It further progresses into skin indentation as fat cells continue to grow and forces the skin outward, pulling on the muscles. As fat cells accumulate, they push up against the skin, while the long, tough cords pull down. This creates an uneven surface or dimpling.
Stretch marks are scars that often appear as thin, long lines in red or purple. These narrow and long streaks will eventually fade into a lighter color over time.
They mostly develop on areas that are likely to stretch out if there’s a weight gain or loss, especially on the back, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, flank, and hips. Rapid weight gain or weight loss stretches the skin to the point of breaking. When this happens, your skin’s connective tissues can’t match up with the changes experienced by your body. Thus, causing damages and scars to form on your skin resulting in pinkish, reddish or purplish grooves.
Although stretch marks and cellulite are very difficult to resolve completely, there are certain things you can opt for to make them look less visible.
You can opt to apply retinol-based creams to rejuvenate your skin while minimizing the dimpling of your cellulite. If creams do not work to your satisfaction, you can consider body treatment such as BodyFX which can effectively target the fat deposits and improve the appearance of cellulite.
Stretch marks are scars that form on your skin due to extreme stretching or shrinking of your dermis. Like most scars, they are permanent and can’t be removed. We have different scar revision procedures to help you improve the appearance of stretch marks.
Call us at 604-284-5501 for any questions or book online for a consultation with our doctor to discuss your needs and options. No obligation to proceed with any treatment or service – just information so you can decide when you want to make an enhancement of your natural beauty. We are all happy to help you every step of the way.
Retinol-based creams may help reduce the appearance of cellulite but they do not bring dramatic changes and you have to apply them consistently to notice some results. Similarly, lotions and creams often don’t help much in reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Some research studies show that silicone gel helps reduce a scar’s texture, color, and height, but doesn’t remove it.
Cosmetic procedures may be carried out to reduce the look of stretch marks and cellulite for better results. Schedule your appointment today for options.
Depending on your expectations and budget, a combination of several procedures may be required to achieve your goals.
Since everyone’s condition is unique, you’ll need to have an assessment before a treatment plan can be established for you. Schedule your appointment today to talk to our doctor your concerns and options.
