What is Cellulite? | Causes of cellulite | Acoustic Wave Therapy | Breakthrough
Tools in Treating Cellulite | Results
Dr.
Johnson is the pioneer of Acoustic Wave Therapy.
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Good Morning Texas, click on the links below to watch videos.
What is Cellulite?
Cellulite is the changes in skin texture that
result in an "orange peel" or "mattress" appearance
to the skin. Cellulite is much more common in women. Studies
show 85-98% of women have some cellulite. Men and women organize
their fat differently. In men, the connective tissue fibers
that organize and support fat run primarily parallel to the skin.
This means that men have minimal pulling down of the skin by fat
deposits, and therefore smoother skin. Unfortunately for women,
their fat is organized perpendicular to the skin. This results
in a pulling down of the skin by the connective tissue support
structure and an uneven surface.
Cellulite is a normal process in women, so for many
years medical science was not interested in treating it. Only
in the last few years have any studies been done to identify the
cause of cellulite. Effective treatments are an even more recent
development. Cellulite forms in the superficial fat. All
fat is not cellulite, only the part present in this superficial
layer. The superficial layer is the last area to be affected by
weight loss. Therefore, exercise and weight loss do not eliminate
cellulite. Even women who exercise regularly and follow low-fat,
nutritious diets may still have cellulite. This makes weight management
and cellulite treatment completely different issues.
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What are the causes of
cellulite?
Until recently, very few studies had
looked at the cause of cellulite. As a result, theories
abounded but answers were few. Recent studies have revealed two
major causes of cellulite. The first is a hardening of the connective
tissue support system of fat. These are referred to as connective
tissue (fibrous) septae. These are made of collagen.
Over time, these septae harden and contract. The
contraction results in most of the dimpled appearance that characterizes
cellulite. Additionally, the contraction leads to a blockage
of the blood vessels and lymphatics. The blood vessel blockage
further hardens the septae. The lymphatic blockage leads to thick,
swollen appearing skin.
The second major cause of cellulite is protrusion
of fat cells into the lower part of the skin known as the “reticular
dermis”. This protrusion results in worsening of the dimpling.
Treatments for cellulite need to address both of
these issues in order to have really good results. Until recently,
no treatments were available to address either issue effectively,
much less both.Innovations MedSpa is the first practice in the USA to have access to cellulite nonsurgical treatment that addresses both issues and does so with minimal pain and side effects: Acoustic Wave Therapy (AWT).
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Acoustic Wave Therapy: Noninvasive Cellulite Reduction
Acoustic Wave Therapy (AWT) represents
a new approach to cellulite treatment. AWT uses pressure waves
that impact both of the major causes of cellulite: fibrous septae
and protrusion of fat into the lower dermis. The AWT produces
a pressure wave that passes through skin and fat to impact the
fibrous septae. The pressure breaks up the collagen of the septae
and releases the skin, allowing a smoother surface.
AWT also helps to thicken the dermis and decrease
fat protrusion. Ultrasound pictures confirm dermal thickening
after treatment.
Ultrasound echos from dermis before treatment.
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Ultrasound showing thicker dermis after
treatment.
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The thickened dermis helps to reduce
the protrusion of fat into the dermis. Again, this reduces the
appearance of cellulite. With its ability to impact both of the
major causes of cellulite, AWT is uniquely suited to improve the
appearance of cellulite.
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Breakthrough Tools in Treating
Cellulite
Many different treatments for cellulite
have been introduced over the years, most with poor results. Now
with CelluActor and D-Actor, AWT represents an important breakthrough.
AWT has two different devices available.
Radial
Head (at Innovations MedSpa since Feb 2006)
|
Planar
Head (new to USA)
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| The radial head uses a pellet
inside an air chamber to generate the AWT pressure wave. This
generates a pressure wave that is slower in duration and feels
like a strong vibrator. The pressure wave breaks up the septae
and increases dermal collagen. The radial head has also been
used in pain control. It over stimulates nerves and increases
blood flow to treated areas. This makes the treatments comfortable.
At higher frequencies, the radial head can also increase muscle
tone without exercise. |
The planar head uses an
electromagnet to generate the AWT. This results in a high
energy pressure wave with a very short duration (measured
in nanoseconds). The short duration allows the high energy
pressure wave to be nearly painless. The high energy breaks
up the fibrous septae. Collagen is also stimulated in the
lower dermis, reducing the fat protrusion. Some of the energy
is delivered to the surrounding fat cells. This causes those
cells to leak some of their fat. Innovations MedSpa is now
developing ways to help the body burn the fat before it is
put back into fat cells. We are also studying the benefits
from using both heads together and with other technologies. |
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Click on the images below to view
results from actual Innovations MedSpa patients treated with the
radial head.
Click
here to read more information of the use of Acoustic
Wave Therapy (AWT) in the Treatment of Cellulite.
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