FDA-Approved One-time Laser Treatment Removes Cellulite
From lipo to smoothing creams to compression leggings to procedures that freeze fat, there's no shortage of cellulite treatments out there. Some are invasive and some insanely expensive, and many take time to work.
Now there's a new cellulite treatment on the block that's gained recent FDA approval for use in the US since Jan 30, 2012 (used in Europe since early last year). Cellulaze is the first one-time laser treatment approved by the FDA to diminish cellulite. When the connective tissue bands under your skin stiffen, it causes the fat cells they surround to become larger and push up into the skin, which causes that dimpled look. Cellulaze is different from other procedures because it treats the fibrous bands beneath the skin, which prevents them from pulling down and causing the uneven appearance. The technique also stimulates collagen production, which thickens and adds elasticity to the skin.
This procedure is minimally-invasive and involves using a local anesthesia to numb the areas being treated. A few incisions are made in the skin, and once the laser is inserted, it heats and melts the fat, and releases the fibrous bands that pull down on the skin and cause the cottage cheese effect. The entire procedure takes about 45 to 90 minutes. Although it is an outpatient surgery, the recovery includes bruising with small amounts of fluid leaking from the incision sites. Results will continue to improve over the next three to 12 months, and they last about one to two years, maybe even longer when the patient maintains a healthy diet and regular exercise. Dr. Bruce Katz, director of the JUVA Skin & Laser Center in New York City says, "We believe that if the cellulite has stayed away for two years, it's probably gone for good."