NETWORK – Globalhealth
Information for Patients
Treatment of cellulite
Patient Information
3-level therapy for the treatment of dents and the mattress phenomenon
To the therapy
The therapy protocol has been developed through the cooperation of two medical departments, Department Lipolysis and Department AestheticMeso.
In many cases, the enormous stress of patients suffering from cellulite is exploited by a resourceful industry. All kinds of therapies and creams are offered, which sometimes show short-term effects, sometimes have no effect at all. To date, there is no therapy that can treat cellulite with long-term effects. An interdisciplinary, international working group took up this challenge in 2006. The treatment protocol is a combination of two therapies that reduce the deeper fat layers and tighten the upper skin layers.
In our experience, it is better not to raise too high expectations before starting therapy, but to realistically assess the possibilities. On average, we have seen an improvement of about 60 %, but not in the short term, but in the long term. The working group of the NETWORK continues to work on optimising our protocol. Many patients – especially those with mild or incipient cellulite – can already be helped today.
Injection lipolysis (also known as lipodissolve injection):
Reduction of fat areas by subcutaneous injection of a combination of active substances.
Mesotherapy:
The very superficial application of substances to improve and firm the skin in the upper layers of the skin, bypassing the metabolism.
The three levels of cellulite treatment:
Cellulite
Cellulite is a gender-specific disorder of the connective tissue structure, primarily in women. Almost 90% of all women suffer from this phenomenon, which becomes more and more pronounced with increasing age. Environmental, movement and nutritional factors can also contribute to the appearance. In medicine, cellulite is divided into 4 degrees, from 1-4. In stage 4, the typical structure, which is also popularly referred to as the mattress phenomenon, is manifested in standing and lying. This type is very difficult to treat. At grade 1-3 treatments are successful in many cases and lead to an improvement of the appearance.
NETWORK 3-level therapy
Depending on the degree of cellulite and the level of fat accumulation, treatment is started at either level 1 or level 2 with deep or medium lipolysis. When starting on level 1, after completing one or more cycles, the treatment with level 2 must be continued in order to achieve the desired effect.
Level 3 treatment should be performed at least 8 times. A therapy on level 3 for maintenance is recommended after completion of the treatment in an interval of 6 months with mesotherapy.
As can be seen in the diagram above, the levels differ in their depth. Only the treatment of different depths of cellulite can optimize the skin appearance in the desired way:
Level 1: Injection lipolysis at a depth of 8-10 mm (Grade 2
Level 2: Injection lipolysis at a depth of 4-6 mm (grade 0-1)
Level 3: Mesotherapy at a depth of 1-2 mm (can be treated simultaneously with level 1 or 2)
Level 1 injections dissolve the deeper fat deposits and reduce the dents formed by high pressure fat into the connective tissue. The injections on level 2 dissolve the fat cells that have already penetrated the connective tissue. At the same time, the layer directly below the skin is tightened. The injections on level 3 promote blood circulation and tighten the uppermost skin layer.
Treatment procedure
It should be clear to every patient that a long-term result cannot be achieved in a very short time. Level 3 injections can be given at 14-day intervals, later monthly and every 3-6 months for maintenance. Level 1 and 2 injections have an interval of 8 weeks each. An overall treatment can therefore take up to 6 months or longer.
No aesthetic treatment is completely painless to achieve. The NETWORK training for cellulite treatment attaches particular importance to carrying out the treatment as painlessly as possible and without long downtimes. This is why the members of NETWORK receive special instruction in our post-treatment management as well as in pain-free application with the right aids.
Side effects
Shortly after the treatment, slight pain may occur, which will continue to subside within a few days. Reddening and swelling of the treated areas can be expected in the treatment region. Minor bruising as a result of the injections is possible and heals quickly.
Further side effects are not to be expected with proper execution of the treatment, however allergy sufferers should be tested before for the substances to be introduced (Mesotherapy).
A comprehensive explanation is a necessary prerequisite for a proper implementation of the therapy and is open in a preparatory informative discussion and all possible or conceivable complications are comprehensively carried out.
The NETWORK-Globalhealth and the Globalhealth Academy for Aesthetic Medicine
The Globalhealth Network is an international network of physicians with over 2000 members in 64 countries. The Globalhealth Academy has developed a training concept for non-surgical aesthetic procedures and has been training these procedures for several years. Competent trainers and lecturers who enjoy high international recognition are engaged. New developments are passed on to the members in continuous advanced training courses. The basic principle of the Academy is to conduct only objective and neutral training courses.
Further information is available from your NETWORK doctor.
Consent and information
A comprehensive information of the patient about the offered therapy is a special concern for NETWORK physicians, in order to give you as a patient a good basis for your decision. Advice on treatment options as well as objective clarification of all potential risks and side effects is a necessary and desired component of every treatment and the basis of a trusting and long-standing relationship between you, the patient and your treating physician.