Alcohol is something many people enjoy, but when it comes to cellulite treatments, it can have a real impact on how well those treatments work. Cellulite is that dimpled skin that often shows up on the thighs, hips, and buttocks, and it happens when fat cells push up against the skin, making it look bumpy. There are lots of treatments out there that promise to help reduce cellulite, from creams to non-invasive procedures. But if you are drinking alcohol regularly, it might be making it harder for those treatments to do their job.
First, let’s talk about how alcohol affects your body. Alcohol is full of empty calories, which means it gives you energy but not the nutrients your body needs. When you drink alcohol, your body sees it as a toxin and works hard to get rid of it. This means your liver has to process the alcohol before it can focus on other things, like breaking down fat. When your liver is busy with alcohol, it can’t do its normal job of helping your body burn fat as efficiently. This can lead to more fat being stored in your body, especially in places where cellulite tends to show up, like your hips and thighs [1].
Alcohol also changes how your body stores fat. Studies have shown that drinking alcohol can make your body store more fat around your middle and hips, which are common areas for cellulite [1]. This is because alcohol can mess with your hormones and how your body handles fat. When fat is stored in these areas, it can make cellulite look worse, even if you are using treatments to try to fix it.
Now, let’s look at how alcohol affects specific cellulite treatments. Many non-invasive treatments, like ultrasonic cavitation, use sound waves to break up fat cells. These treatments work best when your body is healthy and your lymphatic system is working well. The lymphatic system helps your body get rid of waste and toxins, including the broken-down fat from these treatments. But alcohol can slow down your lymphatic system, making it harder for your body to clear out the fat that has been broken up. This means that even if the treatment breaks up the fat cells, your body might not be able to get rid of them as quickly, which can make the results less noticeable [2].
Before having an ultrasonic cavitation treatment, experts recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 48 hours. This is because alcohol can increase the risk of bruising and swelling after the treatment. It can also make it harder for your body to heal and recover. If you drink alcohol before or after the treatment, you might not see the best results, and you could have more side effects like redness or swelling that last longer than they should [2].
Alcohol can also affect your skin health. Your skin needs water to stay healthy and look smooth. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it makes you pee more and can lead to dehydration. When your skin is dehydrated, it can look dull and dry, and cellulite can look more obvious. Even if you are using creams or lotions to help with cellulite, your skin might not absorb them as well if it is dehydrated. This means the treatment might not work as well as it could [1].
Some people use creams like The Body Cream by Augustinus Bader to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Clinical studies have shown that this cream can help make cellulite look less noticeable and improve the texture of your skin. But for the cream to work its best, your skin needs to be healthy and hydrated. If you are drinking alcohol and your skin is dehydrated, the cream might not be able to do its job as well. The studies on The Body Cream were done with people who used the cream regularly and took care of their skin, which includes staying hydrated and avoiding things that can dry out your skin, like alcohol [4].
Alcohol can also affect your overall health and lifestyle. If you are drinking a lot of alcohol, you might not be eating as well or exercising as much. Both of these things are important for reducing cellulite and keeping your skin healthy. Eating a balanced diet and staying active can help your body burn fat and keep your skin looking its best. If you are drinking alcohol and not taking care of your body in other ways, it can make it harder for any cellulite treatment to work well [1].
It is also important to think about how alcohol affects your hormones. Hormones play a big role in how your body stores fat and how your skin looks. Alcohol can mess with your hormone levels, which can make cellulite worse. For example, alcohol can increase the amount of estrogen in your body, and higher estrogen levels can lead to more fat being stored in your hips and thighs. This can make cellulite look more noticeable, even if you are using treatments to try to fix it [1].
When you are getting any kind of medical or cosmetic treatment, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor or therapist about your alcohol use. They can give you advice on how to get the best results from your treatment and help you understand how alcohol might be affecting your body. For non-invasive treatments like ultrasonic cavitation, avoiding alcohol before and after the treatment can help you get the best results and reduce the risk of side effects [2].
In short, alcohol can make it harder for cellulite treatments to work well. It can change how your body stores fat, slow down your lymphatic system, dehydrate your skin, and affect your overall health. If you want to get the best results from your cellulite treatment, it is a good idea to cut back on alcohol or avoid it altogether, especially around the time of your treatment. Taking care of your body in other ways, like eating well, staying hydrated, and exercising, can also help your treatment work better and keep your skin looking healthy and smooth [1][2][4].
References
[1] Phoenix LipoSuction. Sculpting Love Handles After Weight Loss: Non-Invasive Options and Holistic Care. https://phoenixliposuction.com/blog/sculpting-love-handles-after-weight-loss-non-invasive-options-and-holistic-care/
[2] Wellaholic. Demystifying Ultrasonic Cavitation: Understanding and Minimizing Risks at Wellaholic Singapore. https://wellaholic.com/blog/risks-of-ultrasonic-cavitation/
[4] Augustinus Bader. The Body Cream. https://augustinusbader.com/int/en/the-body-cream
