Laser Procedure Promises To Cure Cellulite In One Treatment

The mere mention of the word "cellulite" is enough to make some women cringe. Dermatologists say that about 4 out of 5 women and even some men will develop cellulite at one time or another in their lives. A new laser treatment technique, however, promises to make cellulite a thing of the past after just one trip to the dermatologist's office.

Older Cellulite Treatment Techniques Painful and Just a Little Scary

For about 50 years, the most common medical treatment for "thunder thighs" of cellulite involves a procedure known as tumescent liposuction. In this technique, the plastic surgeon makes a tiny incision in the skin of the thigh and inserts an instrument known as a hemostat. The surgeon uses the hemostat to make a tunnel underneath the skin through which to introduce a pain killer. Anesthetic is pumped into the site to be treated, and then the surgeon starts making tunnels and cross tunnels through subcutaneous fat, vacuuming out excess fat as the procedure progresses.

Liposuction certainly can change the appearance of the thighs, and it is usually successful for treating cellulite in men (who very seldom ask for or are offered the procedure).

Both men and women have three layers of fat on their thighs. In men, the top layer of fat is criss-crossed by a tough layer of connective tissue with cells that "lie down" and hold it in place. In women, the top layer of fat consists of cells that "stand up" and that are held in place by connective tissue that arches upward, forming the dimples that can become large enough to be noticeable as cellulite. (The reason women have this flexibility in their connective tissues is to accommodate the general enlargement of the body in the late stages of pregnancy.)

In women, not just gaining weight but also fluid retention can cause fat cells to "stand up" inside their arches, leading to recurrence of cellulite over and over again, despite treatment.

Unfortunately, Diet and Exercise Don't Work Very Well, Either

For this reason, not just liposuction but also diet and exercise are mostly ineffective against cellulite in women. Even when women cut back on calorie intake and burn fat, the erect fat cells fill out the arches of connective tissue under the skin to cause the orange-peel, dimpled skin effect. The new laser technique, however, promises to get rid of cellulite for good.

How Laser Treatment for Cellulite Works

The Cellulaze laser treatment for cellulite works on both the fat underneath the skin and the connective tissue that makes it dimple. In the Cellulaze procedure, the doctor makes an incision and places a laser wand beneath the skin.

First, the surgeon uses the laser to melt the fat stored beneath the skin of the thigh, tunneling in a criss-cross pattern similar to the pattern used for traditional treatment of cellulite. Then the doctor uses the laser to release the fibrous bands that cause the skin to arch and make the dimpling effect.

The laser energy stimulates the growth of collagen to fill in the skin while giving it pliability and and more even appearance. Certain wavelengths of laser light also stimulate fat cells to use stored fat for energy, keeping the skin smooth

Cellulaze works because it addresses both of the problems that cause cellulite. There are other ways of "zapping" fat or breaking down connective tissue, but they take more treatment sessions and cause considerably more pain and bruising. Cellulaze is typically a one-treatment cure for cellulite that does not require a long period of recuperation or additional, expensive trips to the plastic surgeon's office.

Frequently asked questions about Cellulaze:

Q. Is Cellulaze really a permanent treatment for cellulite?

A. Chance are that your doctor will "guarantee" that the procedure will keep cellulite away for at least 3 years, and the general expectation is that the procedure will keep the skin smooth for at least 5 to 10 years. The technique simply has not been available long enough for dermatologists to know from personal experience that the treatment will have longer-range effects 15, 20, or 25 years down the line.

Q. Does the procedure require general anesthesia?

A. Cellulaze is performed with a local anesthetic rather than with general anesthesia. People undergoing the procedure feel pressure but not pain.

Q. How long does the procedure take?

A. Typically, a Cellulaze treatment requires about 2 hours in the doctor's office.

Q. How much does Cellulaze cost?

A. A Cellulaze treatment usually costs about US $2,500 to $5,000. In the United States it is almost never covered by health insurance.

Q. How long do I have to wait before I see results?

A. Because Cellulaze is not a surface procedure, results are visible quickly. Some doctors will say "immediately," but in those cases that involve a minor swelling, the full improvement of the skin may not be seen for 2 to 3 weeks.

Q. Will I need creams or rollers after this procedure?

A. In Italy, some dermatologists use a combination of laser treatment and "vibration therapy" for treating cellulite, but creams and rollers after the procedure are not necessary.

Q. Is there anyone who shouldn't have this procedure?

A. Generally, dermatologists and plastic surgeons prefer to work with patients who have "realistic expectations." It is usually better to regard the procedure as a treatment for a nagging cosmetic problem than as something that will change a person's entire life. Complications of the procedure are very, very rare, and most people who are in generally good health will be medically eligible for the treatment.