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What causes cellulite?
Skin bumpiness is caused by distended fat cells protruding up from the anchored connective tissue or septa, which support the hypodermis (deep layer of the skin). It can occur in people who are underweight, normal weight, or overweight. The problem is irregular fat contour causing dimpling of the skin surface.
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What technology do you use?
Huntsville Cosmetic Professionals uses
Lipolite technology to melt fat and suction it out via tiny cannulae under local anesthetic, allowing return to full activity that day. This is done with mild sedation, under local anesthetic, and avoids the risks of general anesthesia. Lipolite is a fat melting version of liposuction, that actually removes fat under the skin to reduce bulging fat in the lower face, chin, stomach, buttocks, knees, and other areas. We do not perform massive fat removal. That is best accomplished with diet and exercise, then Lipolite can recontour you, remove stubborn fat deposits, and resculpture your shape.
We also use Velashape, another FDA certified device, which combines ELOS (balanced light energy and RF energy) with mechanical rollers and gentle, adjustable vacuum suction, to improve the appearance of dimpled and stippled streaks of cellulite in the skin. The idea is to deploy heat to the adipose tissue contributing to cellulite. The fat cells then increase their metabolism of stored energy, reducing or shrinking the size of the actual fat chamber. Fat chamber shrinkage reduces skin bumpiness.
What kind of results can I expect?
Love handles, resistant fat accumulations in the buttocks, chin, neck, and abdomen can all be removed, just as in standard liposuction, but with the benefit of laser melting of fat for a smoother result, and laser tightening of the overlying skin envelope. Cellulite is almost always improved. Beneficial changes in the skin surface may be noted after as few as 4 treatment sessions. Depending on the number of treatments, sometimes the improvement is moderate. Other times it is dramatic. Changes in contours, such as reducing “love handles” or protruding fatty skin areas can sometimes be achieved.
In the North American clinical trials, including over 5000 patients, Velashape was proven effective in treating cellulite and improving the contour of problem areas.
How does Velashape work?
It is an improvement on the older Velasmooth device The gentle light energy (infra-red at 700-2000 nm wavelength, maximum 20 joules/second) heats to a depth of 5 mm. Bipolar-coupled RF energy via metallic rollers conducts into hydrated skin, coupled via a conductive liquid solution (maximum 40 joules/sec delivered energy), heats to a depth of 5-10 mm. Mechanical rollers knead the skin inward to (1) increase depth of RF penetration, (2) roll the skin upward to facilitate vacuum suction action, and (3) temporarily stretch the vertical septa/connective tissue, improving the dimpled appearance of cellulite. Negative pressure (maximum 750 mm Hg) between all edges of the applicator provide gentle, controlled suction, which dilates blood vessels and improves local circulation. The combined vacuum and roller treatment massages the skin, to achieve a smoother, less-dimpled surface appearance.
Is it safe?
Velasshape and Lipolite treatments are very safe for all skin types, and even for tanned skin. There are no long-term health problems from the light or radiofrequency energies applied.
How many treatments are needed and how often?
Lipolite should be effective and complete with one treatment, but occasionally touchups are needed later. One of the concepts behind laser melting of fat is to get a smooth, more even result the first time, reducing the chance of needing touchup procedures. For Velashape, usually, you start with a series of 4 sessions, performed every 3 weeks. The improvement is gradual, but most patients notice a nice improvement even after the first treatment. Each Velashape treatment takes 30-40 minutes. Depending on how much improvement was achieved, most people will want to continue with maintenance Velashape treatments, once every 6 months.
How does it feel? Does it hurt?
For Velashape, the rollers and suction pull up on the skin, so there is a sensation of gentle stretching, and warm massage. Occasionally, the roller and suction strength will be adjusted if any discomfort is experienced. The inner thigh is one area where we frequently adjust the mechanical parameters downwards. In some cases, there is temporary bruising or skin redness noted. For Lipolite, the tiny needles to numb the area cause some discomfort, but limited. The goal is for the main laser fat melting part of the procedure, and associated drawing out of the melted fat to be pain free.
How do you assess results?
Photo records will be made for you before and after the Lipolite or series of Velashape treatments. For treatments in the thigh, we will also measure circumference to assess for reduction in overall size of the treated areas and body shaping that has been achieved.
Who should get Lipolite and/or Velashape treatment?
This is for anyone who wants to improve the appearance of extra fat bulges cellulite in the chin, neck, thigh, hip, buttock, abdomen (stomach), knees or upper arm. If you also plan to concurrently improve your lifestyle with decreased calorie intake and/or increased exercise, you would get even more benefit from these treatments.
Sometimes, there are issues related to skin disorders, skin sensitivity, vein problems, past keloid formation, or infection that will delay or prevent treatment. Accutane use in the past 6 months, pregnancy, or current presence of an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator will not be compatible with your being treated right now with Velashape. There are many medications which cause photosensitivity, so be sure to bring a list of all your medications.
A free initial consultation is available at Huntsville Cosmetic Professionals. After a medical history is taken, you will receive customized advice on staging of your extra fat and cellulite, how we can treat it, and whether there are any contraindications.
If I have cellulite, does that mean I am overweight?
It has been estimated that 80% of women over age 20 have cellulite. Many men have “love handles,” which is sagging fatty skin on the sides of the lower abdomen. The problem is often distribution of fat in the body, rather than overall weight.
Can I lose weight with these treatments?
Velashape treatments do not result in overall weight reduction, but they often improve your appearance to make it look as if you lost weight. Weight loss can only be achieved by some combination of reducing dietary calorie intake, and increasing the body’s expenditure of calories with exercise. If you gain weight during the Velashape treatments, cellulite can still be improved, but weight gain reduces the chances of beneficial treatment effects on body contour and shape. Lipolite lipolysis is a descendant of liposuction, and weight is reduced by the amount of fat removed. It is harder to regain the fatty areas after the fat cells are actually removed, but most people must still pay attention to diet and exercise to prevent enlargement of all the other fat cells in the body. We have found that constant attention to reducing calorie intake with each meal, and sometimes eating smaller meals more frequently is more important than changing to a new diet or any type of radical or time-consuming exercise routine. We can talk to you about our preference for interval and resistance training over slow aerobic exercise, and balanced calorie reduction over extreme diet fads.
What is the best timing for combining cellulite treatment and overall weight loss?
Cellulite can be improved regardless of any weight loss. But the healthiest long-term plan is to simultaneously begin a gradual weight control program.
How do I prepare for the treatment?
The areas to be treated should be clean. Unless for the arms only, wear a thong or disposable paper underwear. Shave any hair in the treatment area the day before treatment. Avoid waxing or other procedures that irritate the skin for 4 days before treatment. If possible, use a "shower puff" or exfoliating wash the day before in your shower or bath, to reduce loose skin particles.
What precautions should I think about before and after the treatment?
Try to avoid aspirin, Plavix, or Persantine for 1 week before, to reduce bruising. If you are taking the anti-coagulant Coumadin, this blood thinner would need to be discontinued at least 5 days before, and protime checked before Velashape or Lipolite treatment. If stopping Coumadin is not advisable, then these procedures can be done only with special evaluation and planning by Dr. Gross, who is a trained and certified vascualr surgeon and general surgeon as well. With our extensive experience with vascular cases, we can organize a safe procedure for patients on anticoagulation, and the detailed steps sometimes include temporary anticoagulant shots or even a temporary IVC filter. As a general principle, though, remember that procedures solely for your appearance will not be recommended if we feel that there are additional risks that cannot be managed to make them tiny risks.
After treatment, for Velashape you can return to your usual activities, with no limitations, except that you must avoid direct heating of the treated areas on that day, including heating pads, hot-tub, Jacuzzi. For lipolite there are more detailed instructions after the procedure, including use of pads and compressive garments as in standard liposuction.
Are any other types of treatments necessary for the skin after cellulite treatment?
Sometimes, wrinkle reduction treatments and skin rejuvenation treatments, by the so-called "Fotobody" protocol are used for irregular overlying color imperfections, and fine wrinkles.
Click HERE for Velashape before and after pictures!
We will add Lipolite before and after pictures soon.
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