Many would-be blushing brides seek surgery before their wedding day to look as beautiful as possible, thinking that pre-wedding lipo will help them look perfect on their wedding days. While that may be true, traditional lipo also carries certain health risks, not to mention the risk of scarring, lumpiness and bumpy-looking skin. The alternative, according to Dr. Alexandra F. Lambrou, medical director of Chicago’s Sculpt Medical Spa, is Lipo-Ex.

Lipo-Ex is different than traditional liposuction in that it doesn’t suck away fat, it melts it away. It heats it up using a hand-held device in a painless procedure that takes about an hour, and later the fat is naturally expelled by the body. It doesn’t hurt, it has virtually no health risks, and there is also no risk of scarring. Best of all, for people looking for cellulite reduction in the Chicago area, Lipo-Ex also minimizes the appearance of cellulite as it melts away the unwanted fat deposits, getting rid of that orange peel skin for good.

Slimming down for your wedding and looking good in your photos is vitally important for most women. Another benefit of Lipo-Ex is that it can target specific areas of the body unlike simple dieting alone, so you can choose which parts of the body you want to concentrate on. If your problem areas are your hips, thighs or abdomen, Sculpt Medical Spa can help. “A lot of women choose to wear strapless dresses on their wedding days, hoping to make their arms look nice and slender,” says Dr. Lambrou. “We do a lot of arm treatments as well, helping women to look as svelte and sleek as possible for that special day.”

Women who want pre-wedding Lipo-Ex treatments ideally should come in to Sculpt Medical Spa once a week, allowing at least eight to 12 treatments for the best effect. It’s important to keep in mind that even after the treatments are finished, some weight loss and inch loss will still occur over the next few weeks, so it’s best to leave enough time before your wedding for maximum results.

The Lipo-Ex procedure has been around for 10 years and studies show that there are no side effects–so there is no need to worry about scarring or downtime before your wedding. Some people even say that having Lipo-Ex is a great way to relax while you’re in the midst of planning your wedding. Most people find it pretty relaxing and half of all Lipo-Ex patients actually fall asleep during the procedure. So for the best fat and cellulite reduction procedures in Chicago, there’s really no need to look for anything else.

For many women, buying ineffective drugstore creams and over-the-counter “remedies” for cellulite have become a regular part of life. Still others have chosen to give up the fight altogether, accepting defeat in the battle against bulging legs and cellulite.

The professional team behind Endermologie hopes to change all that.

A non-invasive medical technique designed to erase the appearance of dimpling and the cottage cheese-like skin caused by cellulite, Endermologie has been used by women in France for years. Only now is the product gaining popularity at spas across the United States, as more and more women discover how well the patented product can work to help fix their problem areas.

What is Endermologie?

Endermologie is a cosmetic procedure performed by spa technicians designed to reduce the appearance of cellulite. By using a mechanical roller and suction system, trained spa technicians are able to improve a patient’s circulation and temporarily improve overall body contouring and skin conditioning, according to the Medical Spa Association.

Although Endermologie appointments usually last 30 to 45 minutes, patients usually need 15 to 18 appointments before they can expect to start seeing optimal results. According to the American Skincare & Cellulite Expert Association, it is recommended that patients undergo an average of two treatments per week during the initial phase, with one follow-up treatment per month for maintenance once a plateau has been reached.

Not only can Endermologie help erase cellulite, but patients have reported that it can erase other skin imperfections as well, such as burn scars and stretch marks, while also helping improve overall skin tone.

How does Endermologie work?

Endermologie has been sanctioned by the FDA for the purposes of reducing the appearance of cellulite through the use of a motorized rolling device and suction system. According to the Aesthetic Medical Studio in Great Neck, NY, trained spa technicians will cover the legs in a stocking—similar to pantyhose—before starting with the actual machinery, which rolls and pinches the skin in any area covered by cellulite. Thanks to the use of the stocking, the rolling machine can glide across the skin and break down the subcutaneous fat, water, and toxins more effectively. Ultimately, these fats and toxins will be drained through the patient’s lymphatic system to create the look of a more contoured body.

In most patients, the roller and suction system feels somewhat like a having a deep massage. While the majority of these patients actually look forward to the feeling, some patients with lower thresholds of pain report feeling discomfort during the procedure.

In addition, the ultimate success of the procedure depends largely on the patient, as it is recommended that anyone undergoing Endermologie drink at least two liters of water a day to rid of the body of the toxins stimulated during the treatment.

Who are the best candidates?

According to the Medical Spa at Lindsay House in Rochester, NY, Endermologie is an option for women of all shapes and sizes. Ideally, the best candidates for Endermologie are adult women 30 to 45 who consider themselves fit and exercise regularly. Without proper amounts of exercise, patients can expect their results to last for much less time than they would otherwise. Unfortunately, patients who are more than 30 pounds overweight are unlikely to see any benefits from the procedure.

Finally, ideal candidates should be willing to follow the spa technician or doctor’s orders, including drinking proper amounts of water before and after the procedure, to see the best results.

What are the risks involved with endermologie?

As with any cosmetic procedure, there are potential side effects to undergoing Endermologie. Many of these can be minimized by choosing a well-regarded spa as well as a technician with plenty of experience with the procedure.

The most common side effects include minor bruising and soreness in the hours or days following the Endermologie procedure. In addition, it is recommended that patients who are pregnant not undergo Endermologie.

How much does it cost?

The cost of Endermologie can vary greatly depending on the geographic location and the spa itself. However, the procedure generally ranges in cost from $50 to $150 per session, according to Spavelous, a service that helps consumers find day spas in their local area.