Skin & Aging - ISSN: 1096-0120 - Volume 12 - Issue 07_2004 - July 2004

Whoever wins the war on fat - wins the war. And when I'm referring to fat, I specifically mean cellulite. There has never been a viable treatment for cellulite - disappointing, given the fact that 80% of women are affected by it (and the other 20% think they have it). I am now convinced that we have a viable treatment for this condition.

On right, cellulite depicted before treatment with VelaSmooth. The right photo illustrates post-treatment results.

I've been using the VelaSmooth by Syneron (Dr. Alster disclosed that she's on the company's medical advisory board) and have recently completed a controlled study on 20 patients with cellulite. One thigh on each patient was randomly chosen to receive treatment, using the other non-treated thigh as a control. Each patient received eight circumferential thigh treatments over 4 weeks. During the course of treatment, it was clear to the investigators and patients that changes were being made to the cellulite. Thigh circumference measurements and sequential photographs were used to monitor patient progress. In addition, patients' subjective evaluations of improvement were gauged.

The study's findings will be reported at this year's meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgeons in early October. By then, data from 3 months post-treatment will be available for presentation.

The VelaSmooth system is a medical device that incorporates the revolutionary ELOS technology (combination of bi-polar radiofrequency and infrared light) with tissue mobilization/suction to safely and effectively re-contour the skin's surface. The mechanical manipulation portion of the device mimics the older Endermologie units, which had mechanical rolling heads, but the VelaSmooth device applies more suction to the tissue.

This device works because heat is delivered deep into the tissue, causing dermal collagen contraction and redistribution of tissue water. Also, the technology disrupts the fibrous bands that surround the fat. There may be some mild lipolysis and shifting of water content along with dermal collagen contraction that adds to the overall effect of treatment. It's great that we can combine these different technologies into one non-invasive apparatus to such a great effect.

Dr. Alster is the Director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, which she founded in 1990. She's also a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.