Cellulite is one of the most common cosmetic issues faced by women of all shapes, sizes, and ages. Nearly 80% of women have some form of cellulite: a dimpled or cratered appearance along the skin due to a “puckering effect” caused when fat pushes up against connective tissue. Specifically, cellulite is caused as a result of tension placed on the skin by fibrous bands that course through fat.
Having cellulite does not indicate that you are overweight. In fact, even women with a low BMI can experience cellulite along their thighs and buttocks. Cellulite can be difficult to effectively treat, especially since there are so many treatments that over-promise results.
Patients with moderate to severe cellulite will find that many non-surgical cellulite treatment methods will be completely ineffective. The International Journal of Dermatology reports that patients with level 2 or level 3 cellulite (when there is the appearance of cellulite whether or not the leg muscles are contracted) may only benefit from a subcision procedure.
How Subcison Works
Subcision is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that works by cutting the fibrous bands beneath the skin, releasing the tension that causes cellulite. Using local anesthesia, a skilled dermatologist uses a specially designed needle to release the bands. Next, the subcutaneous fat below the skin’s surface is redistributed evenly to create a smooth surface.
In some cases patients will also benefit from a fat transfer procedure to use the patient’s own fat and tissue to fill in any pockets created from severing the tethered bands.
A subcision procedure requires minimal downtime, with many patients being able to return to normal physical activity on the same day as the procedure. Vigorous exercise can re-started within a weeks’ time. Bruising and light pain is common for the few days following the procedure and will resolve over time without intervention.
Subcision + Cellulaze
Cellulaze laser treatments can be used in conjunction with subcision to effectively treat severe cellulite. Cellulaze transfers laser heat to targeted areas resulting in skin tightening benefits. The addition of Cellulaze builds collagen and elastin in the treatment area, thus improving the skin quality. The result is smoother, re-contoured skin that is thicker and has more elasticity.
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