Until recently, cellulite has been a pretty perplexing problem that even the experts were unable to offer a variety of good solutions for. Now, there are a couple of minimally invasive treatments that doctors can offer to patients looking to eradicate their cellulite. The newest innovation is Avéli, “an FDA-cleared, minimally-invasive device designed to safely and effectively reduce the appearance of cellulite dimples in the buttocks and thighs temporarily,” explains Caroline Van Hove, president and CEO of Revelle Aesthetics, the parent company of Avéli.
Doctors have quickly taken to the procedure. “It is the most effective treatment available. The device is quite genius, and I hope patients learn about it and enjoy the incredible results,” says Campbell, CA plastic surgeon Kamakshi R. Zeidler, MD. “It is the most innovative and effective treatment to launch this year!”
Louisville, KY plastic surgeon M. Bradley Calobrace, MD says his was one of the first practices in the country to offer Avéli, and the office has been “so pleased with the results that it has become our go-to cellulite offering.” He notes that although cellulite is extremely common, women are often bothered by it.
“They often think it is their fault or are even ashamed to talk about it, including many of my patients who come to me for treatment options,” says Dr. Calobrace. “It’s important for all women to know that cellulite is not their fault and is often caused by hormones and genetics. Women also believe cellulite can’t be improved, and it is hopeless. I am here to tell you that dimpling of cellulite is not impossible to treat, and improvement is possible for most patients.” To learn more about one option to combat cellulite, we’ve got all the information from experts on Avéli.
How does Avéli work?
In order to understand how Avéli works, you must first understand what causes cellulite. “‘Septa’ are a major underlying cause of cellulite and are fibrous bands that tether the skin to the structures below. Some septa stiffen and shrink over time and lead to the dimples on the surface of the skin that we call cellulite,” explains Van Hove. Avéli allows the doctor to identify and release the septa responsible for dimples on the butt and thighs.
“A provider guides the Avéli device under the skin directly to the targeted cellulite dimples. They can feel and confirm in real-time that they are releasing the culprit septa, delivering visibly smoother skin with just a single, in-office procedure,” says Van Hove.
How many treatments does it involve, and how long do results last?
Good news: Dr. Zeidler says Avéli only requires one single treatment. According to Van Hove, the procedure can be performed in about an hour. “One of the great things about Avéli is that you see meaningful results quickly with a single, in-office visit with little-to-no downtime. So Avéli does not require repeat treatments and works for a wide variety of women covering the spectrum of cellulite complexity,” she adds.
Van Hove notes that Avéli “has been studied in clinical study participants out to three months, upon which FDA-clearance is based. Participants are being evaluated out to 12 months post-procedure.”
Is the treatment painful?
Dr. Zeidler explains that Avéli is done under local anesthesia and tends to be tolerated well with minimal soreness that generally lasts for a couple of days. “Compared to the many other laser and device-related procedures we do in our medical spa, Avéli is very tolerable and a great experience for our patients,” says Dr. Calobrace.
What is the downtime like? What are the potential side effects, and how long do they last?
Bruising, swelling and soreness are to be expected, says Dr. Zeidler. She notes that these side effects may last a couple of weeks, but “by a month after the procedure, you are good to go.” Dr. Calobrace says it’s normal to experience “mild discomfort, soreness and tenderness to the touch during the first days after the procedure.”
He adds that patients tend to tolerate the recovery period well. “Every patient is different, but most resume normal activities within 24 hours of their procedure. Light physical activity is allowed in the first 14 days, but extreme physical activity should be avoided during healing,” says Dr. Calobrace. “The most common side effects reported are mild pain within the first 24 hours and bruising and tenderness to the touch, which typically is resolved within 30 days.”
Who is a candidate for Avéli, and who is not?
To decipher who is a good candidate a doctor must first identify whether the rippling is due to true cellulite or skin laxity. “While effective for cellulite, Avéli does not treat skin laxity or localized pockets of fat. During a consultation, we will evaluate the severity and complexity of a patient’s cellulite to determine whether they are a good candidate and then discuss the results that can be expected,” says Dr. Calobrace.
What makes it different from other cellulite treatments?
For Dr. Zeidler and Dr. Calobrace, the precision of the procedure and the ability to check their work is what sets Avéli apart from other available treatment methods. “It’s the only cellulite device that allows a provider to identify which of the septa under the skin are the culprits causing the dimple, allowing them to be very targeted in their treatment approach,” says Van Hove. “It gives the provider greater confidence that they are treating what they intended to treat.”
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