Am I a Good Candidate for VelaShape?
By Neel Kanase | Published on October 18, 2010 | 0 Comments
A non-invasive procedure that can smooth and tighten skin, VelaShape is becoming a very popular treatment for cellulite. Are you a good candidate for VelaShape? If you’re concerned about fat deposits in areas of your body that don’t seem to improve with diet or exercise, then you may be, says Albuquerque cellulite treatment specialist Neel Kanase, MD of Albuquerque Laser Clinic. According to Dr. Kanase, Velashape is an excellent way to improve the appearance of cellulite with no discomfort and no downtime.
What Is It?
VelaShape, says Dr. Kanase, is a relatively new technology; it’s only about five or six years old. The machine, he says, uses a special kind of light to selectively target fat cells just below the surface of the skin. “It targets and destroys fat cells beneath the skin, which helps with body contouring.” The skin surface, he says, is left intact.
In addition to using light to destroy fat cells, VelaShape also uses radio frequencies for a synergistic effect. “When you combine these two technologies,” says Dr. Kanase, “the sum of one and one is greater than two.” The light, he says, goes in first to heat the fat cells and destroy them. Then the radio frequencies attack them for an even greater impact.
Using these two modalities, VelaShape targets not only the fat cells, but the fibrous strands between the fat cells. These strands, Dr. Kanase says, unlike fat cells, are not elastic – they do not contract and expand. It is these strands that cause the skin to take on a puckered appearance, commonly referred to as cellulite. “Once you destroy those fibrous strands,” Dr. Kanase says, “the skin surface looks and feels smoother.”
In addition to using light and radio frequencies to destroy fat cells and the strands between them, VelaShape also utilizes a suction mechanism and mechanical roller. The purpose of the suction element and roller is to bring the skin a bit closer to the light source so that it can most effectively penetrate to the fat cells below. The secondary benefit, Dr. Kanase explains, is that the combination of the suction element and roller makes the procedure feel like a deep tissue massage.
Is It Right for You?
Velashape is ideal, Dr. Kanase says, for people who are concerned about stubborn fat deposits and cellulite that don’t seem to respond to diet and exercise. The procedure can be performed on any part of the body, he says, but is most commonly used in the thigh, abdomen and buttocks areas. According to Dr. Kanase, at his clinic, thighs and buttocks are the most commonly treated areas. “VelaShape can reduce the circumference of the thighs and improve the appearance of both the thighs and buttocks,” he says. “And it can make a dramatic difference in the lower abdomen, particularly after childbirth.”
There are few restrictions, says Dr. Kanase, when it comes to treatment with VelaShape. In general, you should be in good health and have realistic expectations about the results you can expect (plan to speak with your technician beforehand). But because VelaShape is approved for use on individuals of all skin types and colors, nearly anyone can receive this treatment. “If you are looking for a non-invasive approach to cellulite reduction,” Dr. Kanase says, “VelaShape is a very good choice.”
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.