Dimples are cute on your face, but on your tush and thighs? Not so much. As of only a couple weeks ago, the U.S. FDA cleared the Cellfina System for the long-term improvement in the appearance of cellulite on the buttocks and thighs with no loss of benefit for up to 2 years. It’s the only FDA-cleared minimally invasive procedure clinically proven to improve the appearance of cellulite for results that last at least two years, the longest duration cleared by the FDA. The Cellfina System combines proprietary technology with subcision, a well established procedure, to treat the primary structural cause of cellulite. Here, I caught up with plastic surgeon Dr. Grant Stevens about what you need to know before your first treatment, exactly how painful you can expect and all about the results.

Rouge18: What should we know before getting our first Cellfina treatment?

Dr. Grant Stevens: Performed by a qualified physician in an office setting, Cellfina combines proven and innovative technologies to clear the underlying cause of cellulite on the thighs and buttocks. It treats the connective bands woven throughout the fat that pull down the skin, creating dimpling seen on the skin’s surface. Cellfina works by precisely treating these tethered bands, encouraging them to fully release. Controlled submission precisely decides the fibrous septa or bands.  Similar to a rubberband under tension, once released, the treated skin bounces back to smooth itself out in as little as three days.

R18: Who is a good candidate for this procedure? Who isn’t?

GS: The best candidate for Cellfina has what I call “dimply cellulite,” not lots of long wavy lines. More than 80% of women over the age of 20, regardless of their weight or size, develop cellulite at some time in their lives. Cellulite.  Exercise, diet and liposuction can not get rid of cellulite – for that you need Cellfina! Results from Cellfina last two years —the longest FDA clearance for a cellulite treatment.

R18: How does subcision work?

GS: Cellfina does not involve a scalpel, operating room or general anesthesia. It relies on a minimally invasive, small hand-held device to apply light, quick and repeated pressure on the cellulite-causing bands just beneath the skin to fully release them and smooth the skin.

R1: Can it be done on thighs as well as buttocks?

GS: Yes! Cellfina is effective on cellulite that appears on either the buttocks or the thighs. As of now Cellfina is approved for use on the buttocks and thighs, the areas where most people have cellulite. Patients in the FDA-approved pivotal study reported high rates of satisfaction with their treatment results. At three months, 85 percent of patients were satisfied, and after two years, 96 percent of patients were satisfied, surpassing patient satisfaction rates versus other leading cellulite treatments.

R18: Let’s talk pain: How much will it hurt?

GS: My patients tend to answer emails or even take selfies during the treatment and there is limited downtime associated with Cellfina. Some patients experience initial soreness and tenderness, but these side effects resolve quickly with time.

R18: How many sessions are typically required to see a difference? How much does it cost?

GS: One! Patients in the FDA-approved pivotal study showed improvements within three days after a single treatment. A Cellfina treatment can range in price from $3,500-$6,500, depending on the area being treated, physician practice and geographic location. Since the treatment is so personalized, the best way to get an accurate quote is to consult with a physician.