Cellulite is a persistent nuisance you can’t eliminate with creams, massage, or any other at-home treatment. Getting rid of the dimples that cover the thighs and buttocks of nearly 90% of all women requires an appointment with a qualified medical provider.
Even then, some of the med spa cellulite reduction treatments work better than others, and until recently, none has provided effective, long-term results. Understanding why treating cellulite poses such a challenge requires knowing what causes the unwanted cottage cheese appearance to develop in the first place. This blog post will answer common questions about cellulite and the various treatment options available.
What Causes Cellulite?
Those dimples are simply the result of connective fibrous bands pulling the skin inwards toward the muscle. This causes fat cells to bulge around them, creating that rippled effect that makes many women—men rarely develop cellulite—self-conscious about wearing shorts or swimsuits. Even though cellulite is perfectly natural and not a health concern, many people seek ways to reduce its visibility for cosmetic reasons.
Does Losing Weight Reduce Cellulite?
A balanced diet and regular physical activity can help you lose excess body fat, which may reduce cellulite’s appearance. However, cellulite can be a genetic trait affecting women at any weight.
What Is Avéli™?
If you’re looking for the best cellulite reduction treatment, Avéli appears to have cracked the code. The FDA cleared the treatment in 2022 for the long-term reduction in the appearance of cellulite in the buttocks and thigh areas. During the minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Carlisle slides a small, hook-shaped device through a tiny incision and severs the connective fibrous bands with a retractable blade. The skin elevates when he releases the bands, resulting in a smoother-looking appearance.
Does Cellfina® Work as Well as Avéli for Cellulite?
Like Avéli, Cellfina involves using a tiny blade to sever the fibrous connective tissue bands called septa that pull down on the skin and create the appearance of cellulite. While both treatments work similarly to smooth cellulite, Cellfina is much less precise than Avéli. That’s because providers can’t visualize the septae using Cellfina. With Avéli, the provider identifies specific bands by tugging on them before cutting them and then verifies their release by passing through the area.
Do Laser Cellulite Treatments Work?
Laser treatments to reduce cellulite include both minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures that use laser energy to destroy fat cells and target the connective tissue bands. Cellulaze™ is one of these treatments and involves inserting a tiny laser fiber beneath the skin through small incisions. The heat needed to break up the tough bands and melt fat poses the risk of burns and contour irregularities. Laser liposuction is also used to treat cellulite but is less precise than Avéli.
Are There Other Cellulite Treatments?
Multiple cellulite treatments other than those mentioned above exist. They include VelaShape, which combines laser and radiofrequency (RF) energies with infrared light and vacuum cupping. As with other laser therapies, VelaShape heats fat cells and adds mechanical massage to enhance results through lymphatic drainage. Endermologie® is a non-invasive cellulite treatment that also uses mechanical massage to break down the fibrous bands responsible for cellulite. Acoustic wave therapy (Z-Wave or Acoustic Wave Therapy (AWT) uses high-frequency sound waves to break down cellulite and stimulate collagen production.
Get Started
If you’re bothered by cellulite on your thighs or buttocks and want to learn more about how Avéli works, feel free to contact us using the online form or call us at (515) 277-5555 to request a consultation.
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