This laser treatment is currently in use throughout the EU & Canada and was recently joined by the United States when FDA-approved in early 2012.

How Does It Work?

First coined in the 1920s, the term cellulite is used to describe those lumpy deposits of subcutaneous fat that form primarily in women on the thighs and buttocks. It’s estimated that 85 percent of adult women develop cellulite, including women who are not overweight. The cause of cellulite is unknown, but scientists believe several hormones may be involved.

So far non-invasive treatments (including exercise and weight reduction) to reduce the appearance of cellulite have been limited and are not always effective. And surgical procedures can pose serious risks and require significant recovery time.

Cellulaze may offer women a minimally-invasive option. It aims to use laser heat to flatten pockets of cellulite and restore the skin’s elasticity and thickness.

What Does the Treatment Involve?

Cellulaze is performed with a local anesthetic. A tiny cannula (narrow tube) with a laser tip is inserted under the skin. Heat from the laser is then directed to the targeted area of cellulite, where it heats the pockets of fat. The heat also sets in motion a process by which the skin’s underlying structure becomes partially restored. Over time, this causes the skin to become thicker and more elastic.

What Are the Results Like?

A U.S. clinical trial by Cellulaze’s manufacturer reported that women experienced an average increase in skin thickness of 23 percent and in skin elasticity of 32.5 percent one month after treatment. After a year, the average increase in skin thickness had risen to 27 percent while the average increase in elasticity had fallen to 21 percent.