Introducing VelaSmooth™,
a Revolutionary
Therapy for the Reduction of Cellulite
The Cook Centers for Medical Skin Enhancement™ is
pleased to offer
patients VelaSmooth™, the first
FDA-approved
technology that can reduce the visibility
of cellulite. While there
are many cellulite “remedies”
available, VelaSmooth™
is the first that offers a viable,
medical treatment with high
probability of a safe and
successful outcome.
See What VelaSmooth™ Can Do For You!
What Causes Cellulite?
It is not known why
cellulite appears in some women
and not in others. It is known that
cellulite is more than
a matter of weight – there are many female
athletes
with irregular cellulite deposits and many heavy-set
women
with perfectly smooth skin. Sometimes
cellulite occurs with weigh
gain, but just as often it is
a matter of changes in the estrogen
environment.
No matter the cause, the appearance of cellulite is due to superficial fat that is organized and attached to the skin. In every body, pockets of superficial fat are encased in honeycomb-like arrangements of fibrous tissue and are anchored at points to the undersurface of the skin. These arrangements keep the body taut and flexible and pose no aesthetic problem while there is a balance of fat and fibrous tissue. Cellulite occurs when the pockets of fat grow beyond a certain size. Once the fat outgrows its space, it will put tension on the surrounding fibrous tissue and can tug on the attachments to the skin. As these attachment points become tenser, the surface of the skin will take on the appearance of a tufted cushion, hence “cellulite.” Cellulite is much less common in men than in women due it part to the different hormonal environment and the organization of the superficial connective tissue.
How does VelaSmooth™ Treat Cellulite?
VelaSmooth™ is an ingenious combination of therapies that work together to produce a visible reduction in cellulite. Infrared light and radiofrequency energy are combined to produce a heating of the superficial fat beneath the skin. When fat cells reach a certain temperature, they undergo a process known as lipolysis, in which fat stored within the cells is released, causing the cells to shrink. With the lipid released, the VelaSmooth™ device incorporates mechanical massage to mobilize and drain the lipids and excess fluids that may accompany cellulite. A sequence of VelaSmooth™ treatments produces a smoothing effect.
Our recommended treatment includes twice-weekly treatments over five or six weeks. A single treatment zone (back of thigh, front of thigh, buttocks or abdomen) requires approximately 45 minutes of therapy. The therapist gradually brings the treatment zone to a temperature that will facilitate lipolysis. The patient will experience a sensation of the treated area, which will feel warm to the touch for 30
minutes to two hours. While many patients respond rapidly, several treatments might be necessary to note a benefit.
Once the maximum
benefit has been obtained from the initial series, the result can be
maintained with
monthly treatment sessions. Since VelaSmooth™
produces lipolysis and not the destruction of fat cells, ongoing
therapy is required to maintain the smoothing effect.
Previous Treatment Methods were Disappointing
The team at the Cook Centers for Medical Skin Enhancement™ are dedicated to providing our patients with the world’s most promising treatments and therapies. As there are a bewildering variety of remedies offered for cellulite, we researched many treatments but found few that have achieved clinical success.
Cellulite treatment methods typically fall into five categories: topical agents, mechanical manipulation, liposuction, mesotherapy, and habit modification.
Topical agents are by far the most common option to treat cellulite. Sold in department stores, drug stores, and websites, these treatments are lotions that claim to penetrate the skin and make cellulite “disappear.” However, the skin is an amazing barrier that makes it extremely difficult for molecules to pass through. Theses substances may irritate the skin and produce a temporary swelling that can camouflage the appearance of cellulite for a few hours, but it is scientifically improbable that they can produce a more lasting effect.
Mechanical manipulation includes various massage techniques, as well as devices in medical spas that use small vacuums to pull and tug on the skin. If the skin is manipulated with sufficient force, it might produce a temporary swelling that would camouflage the appearance of cellulite. Another possible treatment might be the temporary displacement of tissue fluid from the affected area. Our research indicates that there are no studies that demonstrate long-term benefits from these methods.
Introduced in France almost 30 years ago, mesotherapy consists of injections of minute quantities of substances into and beneath the skin. Some practitioners claim that mesotherapy can help reduce the visibility of cellulite. To determine its viability for cellulite treatment, Dr. Cook has attended specialty meetings and sought out leading European physicians who offer mesotherapy in their practices. Despite his efforts, Dr. Cook has not found satisfactory evidence that mesotherapy is an effective cellulite treatment and cannot recommend its use to his patients, at this time.
Doctors often recommend that patients change their daily habits to reduce cellulite visibility. While we also promote hydration, exercise and a low-fat diet as part of a healthy lifestyle, there is no evidence that these habit modifications do anything to reduce cellulite. Unfortunately, cellulite can occur in thin, athletic women as easily as it does in heavy-set women.
The Clinical Experience of VelaSmooth™ Therapy
VelaSmooth™ is currently employed for two objectives: the reduction of the visibility of cellulite and volume reduction of zones of excess fat. In studies published to date, greater than 95% of patients experience an improvement in the appearance of cellulite. In most cases, the result of therapy was an improvement, but not a complete disappearance of the cellulite irregularity. Nonetheless, in one published study, 94% of patients stated that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the results of therapy. The vast majority of patients continue with maintenance therapy. Given the inherent variability in patient response to any type of medical therapy, these results are impressive.
Before and After VelaSmooth™ Therapy
Treatment with VelaSmooth™
VelaSmooth™ therapy does not disrupt daily life. The only preparation that is necessary is that the treated area should be free of hair and lotions. Patients will experience a sensation of warmth during therapy and will also be aware of the massage that the device delivers. After therapy, the sense of warmth dissipates within two hours. There are no restrictions on activity after VelaSmooth™ therapy. Some patients may experience minor bruising in the area of treatment, especially those who tend to bruise easily.
VelaSmooth™ therapy can be used to reduce the volume of excess fat in certain body zones, such as the hips and outer thighs. It is important to note that the benefits obtained to date are relatively modest and do not even remotely approach what can be obtained with advanced techniques of liposuction. VelaSmooth™ is designed to act on the superficial fat, not the deep reserve fat compartments, where the majority of benefit from liposuction is obtained. Unfortunately, unscrupulous practitioners may advertise VelaSmooth™ as a “non-surgical liposuction,” where this is simply not the case.
The Cook Centers for Medical Skin Enhancement™ investigates promising technologies as part of the process of due diligence on behalf of our patients. We have carefully evaluated VelaSmooth™ and find it meets our standards for effectiveness and safety.
If you would like to see if VelaSmooth™ would be beneficial for you, please contact our office to schedule an evaluation.
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