Summer is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about your beach body. It’s important to love what you see in the mirror, but it’s understandable to want your body to be the best possible reflection of who you are as a person.
If you’re already taking steps to get beach-body ready, but you’re still struggling with cellulite, you’re not alone. It’s a common problem that affects almost everyone.
The good news is that there is a treatment option that can help you look and feel your best.
What Is Cellulite?
Cellulite is a harmless skin condition that can affect men or women beginning around puberty. According to the Mayo Clinic, when fat cells push up against the fibrous cords that connect the skin to muscle, this causes the dimpled, “cottage cheese” appearance of cellulite.
Where Can Cellulite Appear?
Cellulite most commonly appears in the following areas:
- Buttocks
- Hips
- Thighs
- Belly
Why Do We Get Cellulite?
Experts still do not have a clear idea of why we get cellulite. While it is most common on people who are overweight, the truth is that even people who lead healthy lifestyles and stay slim can also be affected by cellulite. This is especially true for women because their bodies naturally distribute fat into areas that are prone to cellulite.
Other factors, such as genes, hormones, pregnancy and skin thickness can also contribute to the appearance of cellulite.
Injectable Cellulite Treatment
While many at-home treatments such as cellulite creams and massage tools to “get rid of” visible cellulite can temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite, they cannot actually get rid of the underlying fat cells or produce long-term results. Fortunately a new treatment was introduced that can eliminate the fat cells that cause cellulite: QWO.
QWO is an FDA-approved procedure that uses a liquid enzyme to break down the collagen bands that contribute to the appearance of cellulite dimples. By softening the tension that these bands create, it releases the cellulite dimples and produces a smoother appearance.
The procedure is quick and simple. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will use tiny needles to inject the solution into the affected areas. Some slight soreness and bruising may occur, but this resolves over a matter of days.
Most people begin to see improvement after their second treatment. Your provider will likely be able to tell you how long QWO treatments can last.
Crush Cellulite to Boost Your Confidence
Even though cellulite is harmless and normal, it’s understandable to want smoother skin. Having this additional treatment added to a varied wheelhouse of varied new, nonsurgical treatments available means that both patients and doctors have another option to help attack cellulite.
Dr. Shahram Salemy is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon specializing in cosmetic surgery in Seattle, Washington and Tri-Cities, WA. Dr. Salemy graduated from Yale University and The Yale School of Medicine, is a recognized member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Salemy is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at The University of Washington’s Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery. Since 2006, Dr. Salemy has been named “One of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons” every year.
