While there is no 'cure' for cellulite, advances in laser treatment promise more effective, long-term solution than lotions and creams; and at lower costs and risks than invasive surgeries.

July 14, 2010, (Sawf News) - Each year, thousands of people try to combat the appearance of cellulite. They purchase creams, lotions, and body wraps intended to reduce the severity of cellulite. Often, these over the counter treatments have little to no effect on the surface appearance of cellulite.

Some dedicated people go even further in trying to avoid cellulite, undergoing invasive surgical treatments that can be very expensive and require lengthy recovery time.

New developments in laser cellulite treatments may provide a quick and effective alternative! The recently FDA approved SmoothShapes treatment combines laser treatment, vacuum massage and contoured rollers to reduce the appearance of cellulite over the course of 8-12 sessions.

SmoothShapes, developed by Eleme Medical, is a completely non-invasive treatment. It works by combining laser heat energy with vacuum technology, stretching and strengthening the skin's tissue while stimulating circulation to the affected area.

It uses patented contour rollers to tighten skin by using what Eleme Medical calls 'Photomology'. This technology is applied by a device which glides over the skin while laser and light energy infuse the area, liquefying fat cells. The contoured rollers of the device gently massage the skin and move the liquefied fat calls into the lymphatic system. The result is tighter, less dimpled skin without the trouble of surgery.

SmoothShapes treatment is especially effective in reducing cellulite appearance in common problem areas, such as the thighs, hips, and abdomen.

Treatments typically last about 20 minutes and should be done twice a week for four weeks – 8 is the minimum number of treatment sessions that a SmoothShapes patient would receive.

Before (Top) and After the treatment. Photo Credit: Eleme Medical

The after-effects of the treatment are very minimal – some patients have reported slight warmth or redness at the treatment site, but even this mild discomfort fades after a few hours.

In patients undergoing more extensive treatment, some bruising can occur, but this is rare and still takes only a few days to disappear.

SmoothShapes treatments are long-lasting, but not permanent. Most patients require regular maintenance visits every 9 months to a year in order to maintain the cellulite reduction.

It is important to remember that there is no 'cure' for cellulite. However, the new developments in laser and light energy technology may have opened up a new, long-term treatment possibility that has the potential to be more effective than lotions and creams while being less expensive than invasive surgeries.

So is SmoothShapes right for you?

Since it is non-invasive and requires virtually no recovery time, SmoothShapes is a good fit for almost everyone, except the pregnant or nursing.

You should be able to commit to at least 8 sessions of SmoothShapes treatment. You will also need to be able to afford it! While significantly less expensive than surgical treatments, SmoothShapes treatment still costs anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 depending on your target areas and your geographic location.

Insurance companies typically will not pay for cosmetic treatments, so make sure that you take the financial commitment into account before beginning SmoothShapes treatment. And as always, please consult your physician before undergoing any medical treatment.

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