Cellulite affects around 90% of women and 10% of men during their lifetimes. If you are struggling with cellulite, you are not alone. Even gorgeous celebrities such as Cameron Diaz, Beyoncé and Halle Berry struggle with cellulite issues, as seen in this slideshow*. Luckily, cellulite can be treated in many ways by cosmetic surgery or innovative non-invasive treatments like VelaSmooth, SmoothShapes, and BodyFX.
Cellulite happens to people of all shapes and sizes, even if you follow a strict workout and diet regimen.
San Francisco cosmetic surgeon Dr. Michael Kulick is always looking for the most cutting-edge solutions for patients who come to his practice seeking results for their most challenging body issues.
Why Do People Get Cellulite?
Simply put, when the layer of fat beneath your skin pushes against connective tissue, it bulges, which causes skin to pucker and appear lumpy or dimpled – the dreaded “orange-peel” appearance and texture. Though there is nothing harmful about cellulite, its appearance is unattractive.
For women, the possibility of developing cellulite increases with age, and is highest around menopause. Hormonal changes, especially a dip in estrogen levels, can contribute to changes in circulation and a reduction in the production of collagen – a combination of factors that may lead to cellulite formation.
Cellulite Treatment Options
In the past, there have been few choices. They could either get a surgical procedure done, or spend money and time on ineffective creams, lotions or strict diet plans.
Luckily, technological breakthroughs and advancements in treatment options offer new, noninvasive options for people wanting to reduce the appearance of cellulite and have smoother skin.
Using radio frequency, light energy and laser energy, Dr. Kulick can re-contour the skin’s surface and help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Dr. Kulick has conducted extensive research about the following non-invasive options for decreasing cellulite.
VelaSmooth™
The VelaSmooth system is a sophisticated device that relies on a combination of radio frequency and infrared light, plus gentle suction and tissue massage with rollers.
VelaSmooth is a clinically proven treatment option to re-contour areas of the body with pockets of cellulite that are resistant to weight loss through diet and exercise. Since it earned FDA approval in 2005, the treatment has quickly risen in popularity as more people realize the benefits and spread the word about their results.
Dr. Kulick’s research into the VelaSmooth system demonstrated that the results are very long-lasting. One possible reason for this endurance is that the VelaSmooth technology reaches far into the fat tissue to effectively improve the appearance of cellulite. The light energy pre-heats the treatment area. Simultaneously, a gentle suction and massage rollers help the radio frequency and light energy penetrate deeply, redistributing the fat tissue and stretching the connective tissue that causes the bulges and puckering of cellulite.
As one of the few doctors in the country to lend his expertise to the FDA study for VelaSmooth, Dr. Kulick has extensive experience in using this technology to improve patient outcomes. He has proved its effectiveness not only for treating cellulite, but also for skin irregularities left behind by procedures such as liposuction. In his years of study and experience, he has helped both younger and older patients achieve clear results.
SmoothShapes
The SmoothShapes device is another cutting-edge, non-invasive technology for treating cellulite. This patented technology uses two different laser frequencies and mechanical massage to soften the fat. The mechanical component helps your body break down the fat, and also impacts the fibrous bands that cause the undesirable dimpled appearance in skin.
Dr. Kulick published an exceptional research paper on SmoothShapes that showed patients had a dramatically smoother skin surface up to six months after receiving a series of eight treatments using this technology. Unlike previous studies that relied upon photographs to demonstrate improvement, this study used a 3-D analytical tool to compare before-and-after pictures. This study also showed patients can continue to benefit from improved skin contouring, even if they gain weight.
InModeBodyFX
BodyFX is the newest non-invasive treatment that works to simultaneously shrink fat cells, tighten the skin and improve collagen production. This all-in-one, handheld body contouring device uses radio frequency energy to heat up the skin and a pressurized massager to destroy unwanted fat cells.
Body FX penetrates an inch into the skin, permanently reducing fat cells and sculpting the body. BodyFX is perfect for targeting cellulite, as well as areas of fat that do not respond well to diet and exercise.
What Can You Expect From the Cellulite Treatment Procedure?
Dr. Kulick offers cellulite treatment as an in-office procedure in the comfort of his San Francisco clinic. Many patients report the treatment experience creates the sensation of a warm and relaxing massage.
The treatment usually takes 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the number of areas that need to be treated. The process doesn’t require any sedation or anesthetic, and there is no recovery time after the procedure is complete.
Achieving the desired look with the VelaSmooth, SmoothShapes or BodyFX procedures generally requires a series of about eight to ten treatments. Usually, patients begin to notice an improvement in the appearance of their cellulite and body contours after the first four or five sessions. Dr. Kulick’s clinical studies on these devices indicates results that last about six months after receiving treatment.
If you are ready to change your appearance by eliminating unwanted cellulite, contact our clinic to schedule a consultation.
*Slideshow Reference: Cellulite Removal Centro, “40 Celebrities With Cellulite”, Dec. 11, 2013
Dr. Michael Kulick, MD is a leading board certified plastic surgeon in San Francisco, California. During an initial consultation, he’ll examine your individual anatomy, discuss all your options, and create a unique treatment plan along with any other necessary procedures. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of plastic surgery and are looking for a qualified cosmetic surgeon, use this online form to request a consultation with Dr. Kulick or call 415-956-2550.
