While technically not a disease, cellulite still negatively affects many women. The appearance of lumpy, dimpled skin on the thighs and buttocks can lead to self-consciousness and low self-esteem. The important thing to know is that cellulite is completely normal. In fact, it affects between 80 and 90 percent of post-pubertal women. It is not a result of excess fat, lax skin or toxins, but rather it is due to the unique anatomy of a woman’s skin and subcutaneous tissue.
It is also normal to wish to reduce the appearance of cellulite. While many topicals and lifestyle changes are promoted as a “cure” for cellulite, the reality is that most don’t offer noticeable and long-lasting results. But a new, revolutionary treatment on the market is about to make a difference. Enter Avéli, a minimally invasive procedure to reduce the appearance of cellulite on the thighs and buttocks in a single in-office visit.
At Ridenour Plastic Surgery, we now offer this nonsurgical and minimally invasive cellulite remedy to all our St. Louis customers.
Avéli is a minimally invasive, FDA-cleared, one-time treatment for cellulite on the thighs and buttocks. The treatment works by targeting one of the main causes of the appearance of cellulite: fibrous septae.
Fibrous septae are bands of connective tissue that connect the skin to the underlying fascia. When these bands shorten and thicken, they tend to pull the skin down, leading to a dimpled appearance. In women, fibrous septae are positioned perpendicular to the skin surface, while in men, they appear in a criss-cross manner. The perpendicular position of septae makes it more likely for them to pull the skin downward, hence why women are more likely to develop cellulite than men.
The Avéli device was designed to manually release these problem septae and almost instantly create smoother skin. Unlike topical creams and lotions that aim to treat cellulite from the outside in, Avéli treats cellulite from the inside out. The procedure offers greater precision than laser, radiofrequency and other in-office options.
Avéli works by manually releasing individual fibrous septae that create the dimpled skin characteristic of cellulite.
The Avéli device consists of a handle and a thin, cannula-like rod. This rod has a light and a small retractable blade on one end. The light helps the provider guide the rod to the problem septae. Once the septae are located, the provider releases the blade to cut the septae.
An Avéli procedure is performed under local anesthesia and usually takes about an hour to complete. Each dimple is treated individually for maximum precision, and patients will notice the results as soon as post-procedure bruising and inflammation subside, usually within a month after the procedure.
With the seemingly endless array of anti-cellulite treatments on the market, you may be wondering what unique benefits Avéli has to offer compared to the rest.
The main benefit of this procedure is proven efficiency. Most other in-office cellulite procedures target all septae, but this means unpredictable outcomes and longer recovery. By targeting individual septae, the results of Avéli are more predictable. You can also expect quick recovery with minimal side effects, and unlike other cellulite treatments, the results from Avéli should last a long time.
Other benefits of Avéli include:
The ideal candidate for this procedure is someone with mild to moderate cellulite in the thighs and buttocks area. Patients should also be relatively healthy, with no ongoing infections in the treatment area.
The ideal Avéli candidate should also have realistic expectations. The procedure cannot treat textural abnormalities due to skin laxity or fat pockets. For these patients, treatments that remove excess fat (CoolSculpting) or firm the skin (Profound SQ) may be more appropriate.
During your initial consultation, your provider will examine your problem areas to determine if your cellulite is a result of rigid fibrous septae. They will also look into your medical history and talk to you about your expectations.
Before beginning the procedure, your provider will mark individual dimples on your thighs and/or buttocks. They will also administer a local anesthetic to numb the area being treated. Your provider will then make a tiny incision to insert the Avéli device and use the light at the end of the device’s rod to locate the bands forming each dimple. Once located, they will release the blade at the end of the rod to cut the fibrous band.
The Avéli procedure should last no longer than an hour, and you will be lying in a comfortable position the entire time. You will not feel any pain, only mild pressure as the device is guided underneath your skin.
This in-office procedure comes with little to no downtime. Patients can get back to their usual routine within 24 to 48 hours. Mild bruising and swelling in the treatment area are common and should gradually subside over a four-week period. If you feel any pain or discomfort, it can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
You can expect to see your results approximately one-month post-treatment. Most patients see a noticeable improvement in their skin, with less dimpling and a smoother appearance. Because this treatment works underneath the skin surface to target dimples, it does not provide textural improvements. We recommend laser skin rejuvenation to address issues such as scars, pigmentation or wrinkles.
We take pride in providing patients with the latest and most innovative cosmetic solutions at Ridenour Plastic Surgery. That is why we have decided to include Avéli in our repertoire of nonsurgical treatments.
If you are in St. Louis, Missouri, or the surrounding communities, please schedule your consultation by calling us today at 314-501-7946 or contacting us here. Our team will be happy to share more information about Avéli and help you decide whether this treatment is right for you.
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