You might want cottage cheese as part of a meal, but you definitely don’t want it as part of your body. And if you’re among the 85% of women plagued by uneven, dimpled skin on your buttocks and thighs, you’ve probably tried potions, lotions, exercise, and diet to smooth out the areas with limited success.
However, the latest weapon — a pulsed laser treatment called SideLaze3D™ Cellulaze laser — has shown to be effective against cellulite, according to a study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Women who underwent a single treatment noted an improved, lessened appearance of cellulite that lasted at least 12 months.
What causes cellulite?
While cellulite occurrence can be influenced by a variety of factors, from aging and hormones to genetics and dramatic weight changes, underlying structural problems are essentially to blame, according to the Cellulaze website. Beneath your skin, the connective tissue bands surrounding fat cells becomes tight and inflexible. Then, enlarged pockets of fat trapped by those rigid bands push up against skin. The thin skin does little to resist the pressure and instead makes the appearance of cellulite even worse.
How Cellulaze Works
Unlike external or topical approaches, the Cellulaze treatment goes right to the heart of the issue — in this case, below the skin where the problem begins. The minimally invasive surgery begins with your doctor applying a local anesthesia or numbing solution and making a few tiny incisions in the area to be treated before inserting a very small tube (or cannula) in the incision sites.
Then, the Cellulaze laser fiber is threaded through the cannula and under the skin’s surface where it delivers pulsed energy to start leveling out the fat bumps and releasing the fibrous bands that are pulling down on the skin and causing dimples. In the last step, the liquefied fat is gently pressed out of the treated area. The treatment also stimulates collagen production, which has been shown to increase skin thickness by 25%, and skin elasticity by 29% even after one year.
What else to know
Like any other aesthetic procedure, you need to weigh the pros and cons before undergoing treatment. Post-surgery, you may have some bruising or discomfort as well as some fluid leakage from the incision sites. You may also have to wear a compression garment for a short period of time. But, you should be able to resume normal activities after a day or two and move onto more strenuous exercise after one to two weeks.
While you’ll see some results right away, the treated areas will continue to improve for the next three to twelve months. Cellulaze is most effective if you are not significantly overweight but have mild to moderate cellulite. While Cellulaze will improve the appearance of cellulite, you should maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen for best results.
Cost can be a consideration, since health insurance generally does not cover cosmetic surgery. Be sure to check with your insurance carrier for information on the degree of coverage. According to the Cellulaze website, the average cost of a Cellulaze treatment is $5,000-$7,000, with the fee dependent on the size of the area to be treated and the city or town where it’s performed. Visit our financing page for more information on payment options.
You want to choose a surgeon who has the certifications and qualifications to perform Cellulaze treatments. Ask how many Cellulaze procedures they have performed and view before-and-after photos from their patient files. Then you can make the decision and get smoother skin.
Looking for other surgical solutions to other common beauty issues? Learn more about lipo, tummy tuck and the very popular mommy makeovers. If you are looking for anti-aging tips and surgical and non surgical antiaging treatments visit our sister site, FaceForum.