This year, newer combination laser and massage therapies have been introduced that claim to target cellulite more effectively than any other method. However, these “new” technologies are only slight variations on other effective cellulite treatments I already offer at my practice. Massage is emphasized as a central advantage of these “new” treatments, and while massage can help address some of the factors that may contribute to cellulite, its impact is limited because it stimulates only the top layers of the skin. As a dermatologist highly familiar with the various options available through laser skin care centers in Portland, Oregon, I believe that laser treatment is the most critical aspect of any cellulite reduction therapy that actually addresses the root causes of cellulite.

What is Cellulite?

While people of all weights and athletic levels, and both sexes, can experience cellulite, it is by far most prevalent in women. Cellulite is not fully preventable, but can be minimized with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Cellulite is mainly believed to result from decreased “microcirculation” of the blood through your tissues to the top layers of fat under your skin. Decreased nourishment to the cells can harden and tighten the fibers that normally divide fat clusters into smooth pockets. The cells are squeezed tight, and as they receive less nourishment, they may also swell with trapped fluids. Weight gain can also thicken deep-layer fat that further pushes these pockets outward into lumps, which become more obvious as you gain weight and your skin thins.

Some people tend to experience cellulite more than others; the reasons behind this seem to involve:

• Genetics
• Hormones, particularly for women
• Smoking
• Inactive lifestyle
• Obesity

Cellulite is difficult to treat using conventional methods partly because all of these various factors, as well as skin quality, circulation, fat amount, and lifestyle habits may impede treatment. It’s also why at-home “treatments” tend to be so disappointing.

An All-in-One Approach: How Laser Skin Care Centers Target Cellulite

SmoothShapes® featuring Photomology® restores enlarged fat cells through a unique mechanism of action which combines dynamic laser and light energy that specifically targets problem cellulite. The result is tighter and smoother-looking skin. Thermage® and Accent™ therapies also use radiofrequencies to warm skin and reach the deeper layers where cellulite is located.

In both kinds of procedures the heat can help melt fat cells for your body to carry them away naturally, lessening the pressure of those pockets on the skin and providing a comfortable treatment alternative to liposuction. My Portland patients particularly enjoy the tighter, firmer skin that also can result from these treatments, because unlike simple massage techniques, which encourage fluid flow only temporarily, laser therapies stimulate deep-tissue production of collagen and elastin for long-lasting skin improvement.

For larger deposits of fat in addition to cellulite, many of my patients choose minimally-invasive liposuction in Portland. It is important to keep in mind that liposuction may actually increase the appearance of cellulite if your doctor does not carefully assess your existing anatomy and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Through both nonsurgical and surgical body shaping methods, you can achieve a smooth, attractive silhouette and enhance your overall confidence.

A recent clinical study suggests that you may be at higher risk for cancer than you thought, and skin cancer may pose the highest risks of all. Skin treatment patients in Portland, Oregon and across the country are responding to this news by adopting advanced treatments that other researchers believe will help prevent skin cancer in the first place.

New Findings Suggest Greater Risk for Skin Cancer

Skin cancers already affect 1 in 5 people and account for 50% of all cancer diagnoses. This makes skin cancer the most common cancer in the US, and, according to a study recently released by the National Cancer Institute, it may be one of the most dangerous for people who fail to take up-to-date preventative measures.

Researchers found that patients with non-melanoma skin cancers were much more likely to develop other types of cancer. These findings imply close connections between skin cancer and other cancers, but the study is even more important because it may shed light on the nature of skin cancer risk generally.

The researchers think that many people experience skin cancers because of faulty DNA that fails to repair itself after the kind of damage cells experience through sun exposure. What this means is that many, many people who already fail to take appropriate measures to prevent sun damage are dangerously susceptible to many cancers – and, in particular, to easily-preventable skin cancers.

How Skin Resurfacing Can Help Minimize Your Risks

A 2006 study by Stanford University doctors suggests that a few common cosmetic skin treatments may help Portland, Oregon patients prevent skin cancer and reverse sun damage at the same time. According to researchers, both acid chemical peels and carbon dioxide laser skin resurfacing may avert common skin cancers because they prevent precancerous formations.

Like many dermatologists in Portland, Oregon, I already utilize both of these methods to combat sun-related age signs by removing damaged cells and encouraging healthy tissue. Since the release of these studies, I have noticed that younger patients are demonstrating more interest in these treatments as preventative measures. In addition, DOT fractional carbon laser therapy is very popular, and chemical peels come in a wide variety of options that vary in intensity according to your skin needs.

Prevent Skin Cancer and Keep Your Skin Healthy Longer

Skin resurfacing may not help prevent skin cancer unless you practice basic prevention as well. In addition to appropriate skin resurfacing treatments, every person should protect themselves by:

• Wearing sun protection, especially on snow or water and on cloudy days
• Avoiding tanning lamps, which have deeper-penetrating UV radiation
• Checking moles frequently for changes in size, color, or shape
• Avoiding exposure to chemicals likely to encourage cancer
• Eating breakfast, and maintaining a diet of healthful foods. Avoid fatty, sugary substances that prevent healthy skin and increase cancer risk

These studies highlight cancer risks, but also emphasize the importance of the kind of restorative techniques my practice has been offering for years. Even more encouraging is the interest this research sparks in skin care and cancer prevention. Proper prevention is important, but it is only one step toward a healthier mind and body.