Cellulite Reduction
Restructure · Smooth · Restore
Clinical Expertise — Visible Results — Excellence on Harley Street
Cellulite affects around 85 per cent of women after puberty, regardless of body weight or fitness level. It is a structural condition of the subcutaneous tissue — not a consequence of lifestyle — and it requires treatments that work at the correct anatomical depth to produce meaningful, lasting improvement.
Cellulite is caused by the herniation of subcutaneous fat lobules through a weakened fibrous connective tissue network — the septa that anchor the skin to the underlying fascia. In women, these septa run vertically, making the fat compartments beneath more susceptible to protrusion. The resulting surface dimpling, nodularity, and orange-peel texture is what patients recognise as cellulite.
Contributing factors include hormonal influence (oestrogen plays a central role in septal weakening), impaired microcirculation and lymphatic drainage, reduced skin elasticity, and the gradual accumulation of interstitial fluid and metabolic waste in the affected tissue. Diet, hydration, and exercise influence the severity of cellulite but do not address its structural cause — which is why lifestyle changes alone rarely produce significant improvement.
At PHP Aesthetic-Wellness, cellulite is assessed by grade and by the predominant mechanism driving it in each individual patient. Dr Philippe Hamida-Pisal and Dr Jihyun Byun design protocols that combine treatments working at different tissue levels — circulatory, connective tissue, and dermal — for results that are more complete and more sustained than any single modality can achieve.
Grades of Cellulite
Cellulite is classified by the Nürnberger–Müller scale into four grades, which guide treatment selection and help set realistic expectations about the degree of improvement achievable.
“The most important conversation we have with patients about cellulite is an honest one. We can achieve meaningful, visible improvement — particularly at grades one and two — but no treatment eliminates cellulite permanently. What a good programme offers is sustained improvement that changes how a patient feels in their own body.” PHP Aesthetic-Wellness, 22 Harley Street
Our Cellulite Treatments
Each modality targets a different component of cellulite pathology. The most effective programmes combine two or more treatments, sequenced to work at the circulatory, connective tissue, and dermal levels simultaneously.
LPG Endèrmologie®
LPG Endèrmologie is the only non-invasive technology to have received US FDA clearance specifically for the treatment of cellulite. The treatment uses a motorised device with rollers and suction to mechanically stimulate the skin and subcutaneous tissue — mobilising the fibrous septa responsible for surface dimpling, reactivating sluggish microcirculation, and stimulating the natural production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid within the dermis.
Unlike treatments that target fat or surface texture alone, LPG works at the precise tissue depth where cellulite originates — the dermo-hypodermal junction and the fibrous septa beneath it. Clinical studies demonstrate measurable reduction in cellulite grade, improvement in skin quality, and a localised reduction in circumference with a recommended course of treatment. Results continue to improve for several weeks following the final session as the biological response matures.
Mesotherapy
A precisely formulated cocktail of active compounds — including phosphatidylcholine, L-carnitine, caffeine, artichoke extract, and circulation-enhancing agents — is delivered directly into the subcutaneous tissue via microinjections, bypassing the skin barrier entirely. These compounds work to emulsify localised fat deposits, improve lymphatic drainage, and break down the fibrotic septa that produce surface dimpling.
Mesotherapy is particularly effective for the fluid retention and impaired microcirculation components of cellulite and produces a measurable local reduction in volume alongside textural improvement. It is frequently combined with LPG to address both the mechanical and biochemical dimensions of cellulite simultaneously.
Enzyme Treatment
Enzymatic injections — most commonly using hyaluronidase and collagenase-based formulations — target the structural abnormalities at the root of cellulite directly. Hyaluronidase disperses the accumulated interstitial glycosaminoglycans that contribute to tissue oedema and firmness. Collagenase degrades the thickened, fibrotic septa that tether the skin downwards and create the characteristic dimpling seen at grades two and three.
Enzyme treatment is the most targeted approach to fibrous, nodular cellulite — the type that resists mechanical and circulatory treatments alone. Results are progressive, becoming most apparent six to eight weeks following the treatment course as the remodelled connective tissue reorganises.
Lymphatic Drainage Support
Impaired lymphatic circulation is a consistent feature of established cellulite, contributing to interstitial fluid accumulation, tissue firmness, and the characteristic heaviness patients describe in affected areas. Manual lymphatic drainage and LPG-assisted lymphatic stimulation are integrated into cellulite programmes where fluid retention is a significant component, accelerating the clearance of metabolic waste and reducing tissue congestion between active treatment sessions.
Patients are also guided on home drainage techniques and compression garment use to support and extend the results achieved in clinic.
Factors That Influence Severity
While cellulite is primarily a structural condition, several factors influence how pronounced it appears and how well it responds to treatment. We discuss all of these at consultation and incorporate relevant lifestyle guidance into every programme.
Hormones
Oestrogen weakens the fibrous septa and promotes fat storage in the thighs and buttocks. Hormonal fluctuations — puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and contraception — all influence cellulite severity and distribution.
Circulation & Hydration
Poor microcirculation and inadequate hydration worsen the interstitial congestion that contributes to cellulite firmness and visibility. Improving both supports the results achieved in clinic and reduces the pace of recurrence.
Activity & Muscle Tone
Improved muscle tone in the thighs and buttocks provides better subcutaneous support and reduces the contrast between fat compartments and surrounding tissue. Exercise improves but does not resolve established cellulite.
Your Cellulite Programme
Effective cellulite treatment is a programme, not a procedure. We work with each patient through assessment, active treatment, and maintenance to achieve results that last.
Assessment
We assess cellulite grade, the predominant tissue mechanism driving it, and your personal goals before recommending a protocol. Body area, skin quality, and lifestyle factors are all considered.
Combined Protocol
A sequenced combination of LPG, mesotherapy, and enzyme treatment is designed to address the circulatory, structural, and biochemical dimensions of your cellulite simultaneously.
Active Treatment Phase
Weekly or twice-weekly sessions during the initial course, with progress reviewed at the midpoint. Protocols are adjusted as the tissue responds and results become visible.
Maintenance
Monthly maintenance sessions preserve results and slow the rate of recurrence. Home guidance on hydration, compression, and activity is provided at the end of the active course.
Related Body Treatments
Cellulite treatment is often combined with or followed by other body contouring concerns addressed at PHP Aesthetic-Wellness:
Localised Fat
Stubborn fat deposits in the abdomen, flanks, and inner thighs are a distinct concern from cellulite and require different treatment modalities. Often addressed alongside a cellulite programme as part of a broader body contouring plan.
Skin Laxity
Loss of skin firmness in treated areas is a common co-existing concern, particularly following weight loss or pregnancy. Skin tightening treatments are incorporated into the programme where laxity is present alongside cellulite.
Body Hydration
Skin booster and mesotherapy hydration protocols for the body address dryness, loss of elasticity, and the dull, crepey texture that often accompanies cellulite in the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms.
Book a Cellulite Consultation
PHP Aesthetic-Wellness
22 Harley Street, Suite 8, London W1G 9PL
Book Online →