Dear Dr Benson,

I would just like to know what helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite?

The term cellulite refers to a characteristic form of dimpling seen on the hips and thighs of females.

It is a normal appearance that has been unfairly stigmatised. The pattern of dimpling is related to the attachment of the system of little fibrous bands (called septae) that contain the fat.

It is a normal appearance that has been unfairly stigmatised.

There is no effective specific treatment for cellulite in spite of the plethora of misinformation in the popular press.

Mesotherapy is one of the more commonly used techniques now and involves the injection of certain substances, via a very fine needle, underneath the dermal layer of the skin into the subcutaneous fat tissue in the area selected.

Currently however, it is unknown what happens to the broken down fat cells once they leave the targeted area and what effects the various substances injected have on the body’s organs and tissues.

There really is very little scientific and/or clinical evidence to support this technique, and is no standardisation within the practice in terms of what substances are used, quantities used and amount and frequency of injections.

Generally, cellulite can usually only be improved if body weight is maintained in the optimal range, and the muscles in that region are kept well toned.