Dr. Bruce Katz, Director of the JUVA Skin and Laser Center in NYC, has been doing Cellulaze procedures since 2010 as part of clinical trials and calls it "a ground-breaking procedure." Most clients see smoother skin within a couple of weeks, he says, and the results keep getting better for up to a year afterwards.
The cellulite also doesn't return, says Dr. Katz. "We suspect that if the cellulite hasn’t come back after two years, it’s going to be gone for good."
Cellulite, Gone For Good!
Cellulite, gone forever! Sounds great! So what's the catch? First, Cellulaze is expensive. The average treatment costs $5,000 to $7,000, depending on the area being treated, prices in the market where you live, and the individual doctor performing the procedure.
Second, Cellulaze is a surgical procedure. Cellulaze will cause significant bruising (meaning the whole area treated is red). Expect soreness, swelling, and some leaking from incision sites. You need to wear a compression garment after the procedure. Expect at least a day or two of down-time, and it might be several weeks before you can resume workouts.
Finally, Cellulaze is not for everyone. It is not recommended for extremely overweight women, and doesn't work if your "dimpling" is caused by sagging skin. Consult with a physician to see if you are a good candidate.
How Does Cellulaze Get Rid of Cellulite?
Cellulite is caused by fat cells that bulge into the skin's middle layer from below, creating bumps in the skin. The bulging fat pulls on the connective tissue that attaches skin to the muscle below, causing dimples. Together, the bumps and dimples make up the "cottage cheese" look that is women's number one beauty concern.
Cellulaze works in three ways:
- It melts the fat that is bulging into the skin's dermal layer. That gets rid of the bumps.
- It cuts the connective tissues that pull on the skin. That gets rid of the dimples
- It stimulates the production of collagen and elastin in the skin, making it thicker and younger looking.
Cellulaze is being done primarily by plastic surgeons and dermatologists. It is not done in a typical medical spa, unless it has a surgical division like JUVA Skin and Laser Center.
What Happens During A Cellulaze Treatment?
Your physician will map the areas of cellulite to be treated with a marker. A local numbing agent is injected, and some people find that more painful than treatment itself. You are awake during the procedure.
The physician makes a couple of small incisions, about the size of the tip of a pen, threads the Cellulaze laser fiber through a very small tube, and inserts it through the incision site.
The physican moves the laser fiber through the area to be treated, melting the fat, cutting the fibrous bands that pull down on the skin, and stimulating collagen production. The liquefied fat is then gently pressed out. The entire procedure usually takes from 1–1.5 hours, according to Cynosure. It could go longer, depending on the size of the area being treated.
Ninety-three percent of women are satisfied or very satisfied with the results, according to Cynosure, which makes Cellulaze.
Disclosure: Please note this document has not been medically reviewed.
