Zimmer ZWave: What You Need to Know
Pros & cons
What to expect
Fast facts
Providers use the Zimmer ZWave device to noninvasively tighten and firm skin. It works by emitting radio shockwaves into the skin in order to stimulate new collagen production and increase blood circulation.Â
ZWave can be used alone, to help reduce the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks, but it’s often paired with fat reduction treatments like CoolSculpting or SculpSure.
“Zimmer ZWave’s radial pulse therapy makes it a perfect adjunct for CoolSculpting, as it helps break up destroyed fat cells and make your results more uniform,” says San Diego dermatologic surgeon Dr. Kimberly Butterwick. It evens out the final result, reducing lumpiness and unevenness.
Some doctors prefer to use it instead of doing massage by hand, the typical way doctors break up fat cells in an area treated with CoolSculpting. This manual method doesn’t guarantee a perfectly uniform pressure, which is where ZWave can make a difference. “The ZWave is much more accurate when it comes to evenly distributing results across the treated area, and the use of radial pulse technology can absolutely enhance results,” says Dr. Butterwick.
Still, some providers say that it doesn’t make or break fat-reduction results. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s ZWave or massage, so long as the [cryolipolysis] applicator is placed properly and the area treated correctly,” says New York City dermatologist Dr. Michele Green in a RealSelf Q&A.Â
Other doctors on RealSelf question its effectiveness. “We trialed this device in our office for aiding massage post-CoolSculpting. We didn’t find it [to] be particularly effective and didn’t buy it,” says Upper Arlington, Ohio, plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Heck in a RealSelf Q&A. “I don’t think it will hurt you in any way—rather, [it] just won’t do anything to be too excited about.”
Pros
- It may be both faster and more effective than manual massage after a fat-reduction procedure.
- Some doctors say the combination of CoolSculpting and ZWave improves the reduction of fat in a single treatment session by more than 10%, to up to 35%.
- It’s noninvasive, with no downtime (though if it’s used following surgical liposuction, you will have some downtime from that).
- It may be more comfortable than manual massage for both the patient and the staff, says Dr. Melda Isaac, a dermatologist in Washington, D.C., in a RealSelf Q&A.Â
- Doctors on RealSelf say that ZWave can be effective at smoothing cellulite and improving stretch marks, though maintenance treatments are needed.Â
Cons
- Doctors are split on the benefits of ZWave, and some say that manual massage is just as effective after CoolSculpting.
- You’ll have some discomfort with the treatment.
- If you’re using ZWave alone to treat cellulite or stretch marks, you may need up to 10 treatments to see optimal results.
As the ZWave handheld device is pressed against the treatment area, you may feel a burning or tingling sensation. That’s because the area will be numb after cryolipolysis, and the ZWave device quickly increases blood flow back to the area. It’s a sensation similar to putting cold hands under hot water.
The procedure takes just a few minutes, and there’s no downtime afterward.
Updated June 13, 2023