The Truth About Cellulite — & Why It’s Not Your Fault
Got dimples? Join the club. (And it’s a really, really big club: 9 out of 10 women are members, in fact.)
CELLULITE IS NOT CAUSED BY A “CHEAT DAY”: So, what exactly causes those bum bumps? Underneath the skin is a pattern of fibrous bands. Over time, these bands thicken, which causes tension on the skin above it. This tension is what causes the dimpled appearance on the skin’s surface. All of these bands are partially made of collagen. A build-up of Type 1 and Type 3 collagens are found in the fibrous bands under the skin and contribute to cellulite. (Fun fact: Of all the collagen in your body, Type 1 is the most abundant. It’s found in scar tissue, ligaments, bone and skin, in addition to these fibrous bands.)
ELASTICITY IS KEY: How uneven and bumpy your skin gets has a lot to do with the elasticity of it. The more taut your skin, the more bounce back it has and the smoother your skin will be. The looser your skin is, the more space fat cells have to fill — creating a more dramatic appearance of cellulite. So, what makes your skin get thinner and lose its elasticity? It’s everything from age, genetics or stress to dry skin, sun damage or pollution.
THERE IS NO MAGIC CREAM: If you have cellulite, you’ve probably tried your fair share of things to get rid of it. From exercise to scrubs, creams and lotions, we’re willing to bet you haven’t been able to scratch the surface of this bummer for your bum. Some do-it-yourself treatments might temporarily reduce the appearance, but let’s be honest: If you don’t target the causes, nothing you do will have any lasting effect.
THERE IS HOPE: Here’s the good news. A360 is offering QWO, the first and only FDA-approved injectable for moderate to severe cellulite in the buttocks of adult women. QWO is an enzyme that essentially destroys the collagen in the aforementioned fibrous bands. It’s a non-surgical option to reduce the appearance of cellulite, which is injected over three sessions. The injections take as little as 10 minutes per session — and some women see results in as soon as 10 weeks after the third session. Pretty great, right?
