Nothing great for cellulite

Unfortunately, there is nothing great out there to treat cellulite.  All the lasers that purport efficacy are not impressive to me and do not warrant the cost.

Right now, the best procedure for cellulite treatment is a just-FDA approved laser called the Alma Accent. The FDA study I was involved in, that was published in the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, found that upper thigh skin cellulite can be improved with this new unipolar radiofrequency device, with fewer treatments and longer lasting results as compared to older options.

The older options have typically been bipolar radio frequency and low-level laser devices which have been proven to produce mild skin tightening of cellulite; this new treatment is far more sophisticated.

Unfortunately, many products promise they can get rid of cellulite, but that is false.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet may help improve the appearance of cellulite (which is caused by fat protruding through fibrous bands underneath the skin), but they cannot get rid of cellulite entirely.

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Every woman knows what cellulite is and they hate it. You see it in the thighs and buttocks and it is very difficult to treat. Ninety-five percent of what you have heard about cellulite treatment is hype and not science.

In my opinion, creams, massages and ultrasound don't help. Also, in my opinion, treatments such as lipolysis, mesotherapy, and endermologie don't help.

There are two procedures that do help: One is non-invasive, and the other is done together with liposuction.

• First, the non-invasive procedure is called Thermage of the thighs.
  • Energy is delivered to the deep layers of the skin, which tightens and smoothes the skin. We have seen some fairly impressive results. Thermage is extremely safe, and it takes about one and a half hours in the office. There is no anesthesia, no down time, and no scar. So, for many women, it is worth a try.

    (Thermage was also just approved by the FDA for tightening skin around the eyelids).

• The second procedure I call superficial micro-tunneling, and it is done together with liposuction.
  • Once all the desired fat is removed, I make many tiny tunnels just under the skin of the thighs, approaching each area from several directions. When this network just under the skin heals and contracts, the overlying skin is tightened, and cellulite is improved. This is a great approach, but it only makes sense for women who also need liposuction.

It is so unfair that men just don't get cellulite.

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The best treatment for cellulite is Velashape.