What is cellulite?

 

If you’ve ever despaired about the dimply orange peel skin on your butt and thighs, you’ll know firsthand how unsightly this can be. But have you ever wondered what cellulite actually is, and how it’s formed? Put simply, cellulite occurs when the underlying fat cells become enlarged and push against the skin to give a dimpled, orange peel or cottage cheese effect. It’s more noticeable in areas with more fat stores, such as the buttocks and thighs, although it’s also found on the stomach and arms. It forms when the body’s circulatory system becomes sluggish, allowing pockets of fat to build up and expand, squeezing on the surrounding connective tissues and pushing them out of shape. These pockets of fat then push up against the skin, giving it its characteristic dimpled appearance. Cellulite is a phenomenon which occurs primarily in women but sometimes in men as well. 

 

What causes cellulite?
Cellulite develops in the body when fats concentrate underneath the dermis and accumulate into fat nests which may grow. When fat cells plump up, the surrounding tissue thickens and hardens which leads to blocking blood circulation. It reduces the elasticity of fat tissue thus causing undesirable tension between the layers. This build up of stored fat leads to the appearance of cellulite.

 

How does the VelaSmooth work?

Heat from infrared light source and the bi-polar RF are used to permeate the hypodermis while facilitating the use of energy from adipocytes in this layer. This combination heats fat cells to 40°C, breaking them into pieces. Vacuum suctioning and massage from the mechanical rollers draw circulation into the local area for increased oxygen availability, as well as manipulation of the fatty tissue for natural lymphatic drainage.  This suction power smoothes the skin during the procedure thus enabling radio frequency and light to reach the targeted area resulting in the shrinkage of the fat cells and reducing the total volume within the fat chamber and intercellular spaces. The area treated becomes smoother and visually lifted and tightened, particularly noticeable on the buttocks. 

There are often visible and measurable contouring results of the lumps and bumps "cellulite" as evidenced by post-treatment photos, girth measurements, in addition to how clothes look and feel on.

 

How many treatments are needed?

Most patients see changes in contouring and skin tightening after 10-12 sessions, and first start seeing a difference after the first 5-6 treatment sessions. Regular treatments are recommended twice weekly. Some patients with more severe cellulite may benefit from continuing the twice weekly protocol for up to 16 sessions. Maintenance treatments are done monthly thereafter.

 

How long is the treatment?

Treatment times may vary depending on how many treatment areas and the total surface area treatment areas. Typical treatment time ranges from 45-60 minutes.

 

How does the patient tolerate VelaSmooth treatments?

The treatment may feel like a warm deep tissue massage for some patients, while it may be uncomfortable and pinched for others. Discomfort is usually related to low tolerance to aggressive skin manipulation and stretching from the rollers and the vacuum suction. Occasionally, the vacuum suction is reduced to a tolerated level, and progressively increased according to individual patient tolerance. There is some pinkness to the skin and the areas feel warm for a short while after a completed treatment session. Normal activities are resumed same day. Some patients may experience bruising in the treated areas, especially if they are prone to bruising easily.

 

 

BEFORE & AFTERS