Is Cellfina the (New) Cure for Cellulite?

Since the beginning of time, there has been a quest by women to rid themselves of the ugly cellulite that haunts them on their legs, buttocks and even their arms!  Depends of severity of cellulite appearance treatments vary from DIY at-home treatments like topical anti-cellulite creams and dry brushing to services offered in med-spas and doctors offices. Most well known and tried cellulite treatments today are lymphatic drainage massage, and a multitude of radio frequency (RF) based devices such as the Venus Legacy, VelaShape, VelaSmooth.

The RF treatments do help to temporarily soften the appearance of cellulite, but they are no means a long term solution. The RF works by heating up the fatty adipose layer beneath the skin to approximately 42 degrees Fahrenheit which creates an increase in blood circulation and relaxes the fibrous bands below the skin. At the end of the RF treatments a massage or suction component is applied to helps move excess fluid and fat into the lymphatic system for better results. The downside to this painless, no downtime procedure is that it is very temporary, it is expensive, and it requires multiple treatments scheduled 2 times per week for at least 6 weeks to see some results, and the cellulite comes back when the RF treatments stop. 

For those serious about a permanent solution, a surgical option called Cellulaze where a surgeon goes in and uses a fine tipped laser to break the fibrous bands.  Cellulaze involves laser energy delivered into the subcutaneous fat compartment to heat the fat and help tighten collagen and help reduce cellulite. Cellulaze will get you results, however the cons are the lengthy downtime and high cost.  

The newest cellulite cure on the market is called Cellfina.  It’s the first long-lasting, minimally invasive solution proven to smooth away dimples for at least three years in a single treatment. 

The science: This handheld device is the newest minimally invasive cellulite treatment cleared by the FDA. Using a blade about the size of a needle inserted 6 mm beneath the skin's surface, a doctor snips the tight, pucker-causing septae. The outcome: The dimple-reducing effect will be apparent within just 3 days and should last at least a year.

 Unlike Cellulaze, Cellfina does not involve laser or radiofrequency, so no heat is delivered. 

Unlike Cellulaze, which requires local anesthesia, with Cellfina you'll need only a numbing cream, and your bill may be a little easier to swallow—Cellfina price in NYC is around $2,500 to $5,000. But because Cellfina hasn't been around as long, its long-term efficacy is not as proven. Results have been promising so far, but the procedure basically banks on the hope that the severed bands won't eventually bounce back.

So what procedure is right for you for permanent cellulite reduction -Cellulaze or Cellfina? Cellfina is best for deep dimples. Cellulaze is better for treating large areas of cottage cheese cellulite and wavey cellulite that comes from loose skin. 

Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about Cellfina to decide if this treatment is right for you.