For most women, cellulite is a frustrating issue. It originates deep beneath the skin’s surface and often remains despite a healthy lifestyle, making it difficult to flaunt your legs or achieve your body goals. While diet and exercise can help to a certain degree, the most effective way to eliminate cellulite is by targeting it at the source: underlying connective tissues that push fat cells upward, creating a lumpy or dimpled appearance that’s visible through the skin.
Many creams, lotions and topical products on the market today claim to address the problem of cellulite, but only provide temporary results that treat its appearance, not the root cause. Until recently, the only way to effectively reduce cellulite was through lasers, subcision and other minimally invasive techniques designed to break up fibrous tissues beneath the skin, but now you can achieve similar results with a new injectable treatment called QWO.
At the Maas Clinic, we’re excited to bring our patients the latest in cellulite reduction. Available at our locations in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe, QWO can treat moderate to severe cellulite in the buttocks without surgery or downtime. Learn more about QWO below and how board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Corey Maas and his team can help you achieve smooth, dimple-free skin with the first and only FDA-approved injectable for cellulite reduction.
Cellulite refers to the dimpled, lumpy or “orange peel” appearance that commonly occurs on the legs, hips and buttocks. It’s a prevalent problem that affects more than 90 percent of women at some point in their lives, but with no permanent solution that can eliminate it completely. While topical products provide fleeting results, innovative treatments like QWO treat the underlying cause of cellulite for smooth skin that lasts for years. Cellulite is caused by structural changes that occur beneath the skin’s surface. Due to a number of factors, connective tissues called fibrous bands can begin to stiffen and constrict.
These bands pull down on the skin while fat cells push up against it, causing a dimpled or irregular appearance that becomes more noticeable over time. Both men and women can develop cellulite, and although the primary cause is unknown, risk factors are thought to include genetics, pregnancy and hormonal fluctuations, aging and an accumulation of fat cells.
While cellulite is a harmless condition, it can negatively affect your self-esteem and confidence. The appearance of cellulite might even prevent you from showing off your legs or wearing certain clothing styles. Since cellulite is caused by more than just fatty tissue, diet and exercise will only help so much, but non-surgical treatments like QWO can provide meaningful results that last, letting you strut your stuff with confidence again.
QWO is the world’s first and only FDA-approved injectable treatment for the reduction of cellulite.
Indicated for moderate to severe cellulite on the buttocks, QWO is a prescription medicine that contains collagenase, an enzyme that addresses the underlying cause of cellulite. Connective tissues tug downward to create a dimpled appearance, but QWO targets the collagen within these fibrous bands to release them, resulting in smoother skin without significant trauma or downtime.
In clinical studies, QWO has also been shown to stimulate the production of new, fresh collagen and aid in the redistribution of fat cells, leading to significant improvements in the appearance of cellulite after just three treatments.
QWO is the first of its kind and delivers the same outstanding results as more invasive cellulite treatments. This gives QWO a number of advantages, such as quicker appointments, less downtime and fewer side effects. Other benefits of QWO include:
As with any aesthetic procedure, there are some risks to consider, including allergic reactions and bruising at the injection site. During your consultation, Dr. Maas will discuss the benefits of QWO and help decide if this cellulite reduction treatment is right for you, based on your needs, goals and concerns.
QWO is indicated for adult women with moderate to severe cellulite in the buttocks. While QWO can help you achieve a smoother, dimple-free appearance, it isn’t a weight-loss treatment and won’t address sagging or skin laxity. This innovative treatment is safe and effective for all skin tones and types, but shouldn’t be used by patients who are allergic to any of its ingredients or have an active infection in the desired treatment area.
For optimal results, patients should also be able to commit to a series of at least three treatments, spaced 21 days apart. Dr. Maas can evaluate your needs and aesthetic goals during an initial consultation to help determine if you’re a good candidate for QWO.
QWO provides a quick, easy and convenient treatment option for women who want to eliminate the appearance of cellulite in the buttocks. Injections can be completed in as little as 10 minutes, but this may vary depending on the severity of your cellulite.
During your QWO treatment, Dr. Maas will cleanse and examine your treatment area to identify the best location for your injections. He’ll then use a small needle to inject the product beneath your skin. You might feel a brief pinching sensation with each injection, but discomfort is minimal and no anesthesia is needed. The number of injections needed differs from patient to patient, but Dr. Maas will develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your goals to ensure an optimal result.
After your appointment, you can resume your daily routine with no downtime, aftercare or recovery. You may notice some slight bruising or soreness at the injection sites, but this is temporary and should subside on its own. Because QWO is an injectable treatment, there’s no need to wear compression garments or limit your activity afterward.
QWO works beneath the surface of your skin to sever the fibrous bands that cause dimpling, so it’ll take some time for your results to develop. Most patients start to notice an improvement a few weeks after their last appointment. For an optimal outcome, a series of three treatments spaced 21 days apart is generally recommended, but this may vary depending on your needs and aesthetic goals.
Once your results appear, you can expect to enjoy smooth, dimple-free skin in treated areas for years to come. While no treatment can permanently eliminate cellulite, you can prolong your results with a healthy lifestyle.
If you have cellulite on other areas of your body and want more comprehensive results, QWO can be combined with other treatments designed to eliminate unwanted dimpling. At The Maas Clinic, we also offer Cellfina and VelaShape for the reduction of cellulite on the thighs, hips, buttocks and abdomen. During your consultation, Dr. Maas can help determine if combining QWO with other cellulite reduction treatments can help you achieve your goals.
Cellulite is a common problem, but it’s not one you have to live with. QWO can help you eliminate unwanted cellulite and achieve smooth, dimple-free skin that lasts.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to cellulite and learn more about QWO, contact us or call us today at (415) 567-7000 to schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Corey Maas.