Shockwave Therapy for Cellulite

March 12, 2024  |  By Elise Hamann

A close-up image of a person pinching the skin on their thigh and waist, which displays cellulite. The person is wearing a black top and is sitting against a white background.

For over three decades, shockwave therapy has proven efficacious in multiple medical disciplines, including sports medicine, orthopedics, rehabilitation, neurology, and more. In 2009, shockwave therapy was expanded for use in aesthetic medicine, dermatology, and professional aesthetics to treat skin imperfections.

Acoustic Wave Treatment (AWT®) developed by STORZ Medical is the term used in aesthetic medicine. AWT® is revolutionizing anti-cellulite treatment and body shaping by harnessing shockwaves as pulsating acoustic waves, without altering their physical characteristics.

Acoustic Wave Treatment (AWT®) is the term used in aesthetic medicine to describe shockwave therapy, otherwise known as Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Therapy (EPAT) and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT). 

Cellulite, the appearance of skin dimpling, is a common skin condition and is more prevalent among women than men. Shockwave therapy for cellulite triggers a cascade of biological effects, stimulates metabolic processes, and regenerates connective tissue, producing an improved aesthetic appearance. Remarkably, this treatment accelerates collagen production and dramatically improves skin tone, thus improving skin elasticity and firmness.

The Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Cellulite

Patients with cellulite who find the appearance of their dimpled skin challenging to accept are seeking non-surgical solutions to improve their appearance. Those looking to achieve a rejuvenated and restored appearance will be pleased with the advantages of shockwave therapy for cellulite, including:   

  • Non-invasive:

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive solution for addressing aesthetic concerns. It does not require incisions or injections to achieve the desired cosmetic outcome. 

  • No anesthesia required:

AWT® does not require anesthesia for patient comfort, making it an attractive alternative to surgical intervention.

  • Highly effective:

AWT® is remarkably effective in addressing cellulite, skin dimpling, scars, stretch marks, body contouring, and other medical and aesthetic concerns. After undergoing a series of shockwave therapy treatments, patients can expect visible improvements in the appearance of treated skin.

  • No risk of infection:

There is virtually no known risk due to the non-invasive nature of AWT®. Eliminating the risk associated with invasive treatments offers peace of mind to patients.

  • No scarring 

Rather than causing tissue damage, shockwave therapy regenerates tissue. Patients appreciate the absence of scarring and enhanced skin appearance.

  • No downtime 

While surgical approaches typically involve extended downtime, AWT® is done in an outpatient setting and requires no downtime. The lack of downtime means patients find it easier to fit shockwave therapy treatments into their schedules.

  • Improved self-confidence

The improvements that occur as a result of AWT® treatment for cellulite are often accompanied by enhanced self-confidence, causing patients to feel more at peace with their reflection and body image. 

Why Offer Shockwave Therapy to Patients With Cellulite

By offering shockwave therapy to patients with cellulite, medical aesthetic practices, doctors, and aesthetic professionals can achieve a substantial return on investment by capitalizing on the many associated benefits: 

  1. Results backed by clinical evidence: As a result of STORZ Medical's commitment to the research and science of shockwave and development of AWT®, it's not surprising that much of the research depends upon STORZ Medical devices to achieve results.

  2. AWT® works well on its own and synergistically with other aesthetic therapies, enhancing outcomes: Although treatment protocols are highly effective when used independently, it is finding shockwave therapy is known to 'play well' with other modalities, which is unusual in the aesthetic realm. For example, it is advantageous in pre- and post-surgical settings and can even improve outcomes of other aesthetic technologies, as is the case when used with Cool Sculpting or in combination with biologics. 

  3. Enhanced patient satisfaction: As shockwave therapy allows doctors to address patients' cosmetic concerns, it naturally contributes to patient satisfaction and to the overall improvement of health, habits, and behaviors. 

  4. Competitive advantage: The world of aesthetics is fiercely competitive. Offering shockwave therapy for cellulite can elevate practice visibility and provide a competitive edge. Most importantly, this breakthrough cosmetic approach delivers clinically backed results previously only conceivable through surgery.

  5. Creates NO tissue damage: Shockwave therapy is a painless and gentle approach to addressing cellulite and “does no harm” to the tissue. AWT® stimulates your patient's body to ignite and accelerate the body’s natural regenerative potential noninvasively. Other invasive cosmetic approaches and even some noninvasive approaches using thermal properties can cause permanent tissue changes and damage.

  6. Least risk: AWT® is a standout treatment with the least known risk in aesthetics. In a crowded field of aesthetic treatments and technologies, plagued by inherent dangers and concerns, shockwave therapy is celebrated as safe and effective.

  7. Optimized practice efficiency: An uncomplicated setup coupled with minimal treatment time needed for AWT® allows practitioners to optimize practice efficiencies and maximize patient flow. Investing in AWT® allows you to offer streamlined treatment protocols, delivering a positive patient experience from initial consultation through post-treatment follow-up. 

By fully leveraging the advantages and power of shockwave therapy for cellulite, medical and aesthetic practitioners can increase practice revenue, deliver optimal patient outcomes, and position their practice as a leader in aesthetic treatments and medicine.

AWTBeforeandAfters_Cellulite
Research Supporting the Use of Shockwave Therapy for Cellulite

Whether treating cellulite in medical aesthetics, plastic surgery, dermatology, or professional aesthetics, it's always valuable to consider clinical research on the efficacy of shockwave therapy for cellulite. The clinical studies featured and summarized below are sure to pique your interest.

  • One study examines the impact of low-energy shockwave therapy on the collagen structure of cellulite-affected skin. ESWT facilitated the extraordinary remodeling of collagen within the treatment area. Explore the potential of AWT for cellulite by reading "Can cellulite be treated with low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy?" authored by Fiorenzo Angehrn, Christoph Kuhn, and Axel Voss, published in Clinical Interventions in Aging.

  • ESWT holds tremendous potential for enhancing patient quality of life for those struggling with poor body image and addressing cellulite severity in commonly targeted regions, including buttocks and posterior thigh areas. Examine the findings of "Effectiveness of the Electromagnetic Shock Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Cellulite," authored by Débora Ap O. Modena et al., published in Dermatology Research and Practice.


The Best Shockwave Therapy Devices for Treating Cellulite

ESWT for cellulite effectively tightens skin, increases blood flow, stimulates collagen formation, improves circulation and drainage, and normalizes muscle tone. 

Here's a brief preview of top shockwave devices for the treatment of cellulite.

OrthoPulse Ultra 200

ortho-pulse-200_web

This superior radial device, also known as the D-ACTOR 200 Ultra and MASTERPULS® MP200, provides exceptional performance functionality and a trusted means for addressing cellulite and other aesthetic concerns.





OrthoPulse Ultra 100

OrthoPulse Ultra 100-1This industry-leading radial pressure wave (EPAT®) device, known as the D-ACTOR 100 ULTRA and MASTERPULS® MP100, provides a blend of innovation and performance, delivering unparalleled clinical and economic value when addressing cellulite and body contouring.

 

 

DUOLITH® SD1 T-TOP Ultra

duolith-sd1-t-top-ultra This industry-leading focused shockwave (ESWT) device, the DuoLith SD1 T-TOP Ultra, is for non-invasive treatment of various aesthetic conditions, including cellulite. The ergonomically designed SEPIA handpiece allows for flexibility in the realm of patient treatment in medical aesthetics and professional aesthetics.



DUOLITH® SD1 Ultra Modular System

duolith-sdi-ultra-standing-2

This modular powerhouse, the DUOLITH® SD1 Ultra Modular System, features three remarkable technologies in one tower system. With the device, medical professionals can harness the power to customize and combine radial pressure wave (EPAT®), focused shockwave (ESWT), and more to enhance outcomes. 





AWT® is an innovative, non-invasive, approach to treating aesthetics concerns that works independently as well as with other aesthetic technologies.

Dr. Brian Bruinewicz Chief of Plastic Surgery at Abington Memorial Hospital

 

“There really isn’t technology out there that’s as unique and versatile as AWT. In addition to being able to offer a non-surgical option to my patients with cellulite, I’ve been able to bring a great adjunct tool to my surgical patients and improve their results.”

Dr. Brian Bruinewicz
Chief of Plastic Surgery at Abington Memorial Hospital

Dr. Gerhard Sattler Rosenpark Clinic

 

"AWT represents a valuable addition to the range of treatments for connective tissue disorders that can be performed on an outpatient basis.”

Dr. Gerhard Sattler
Rosenpark Clinic

 

How does shockwave therapy work for cellulite?

Acoustic Wave Therapy is an innovative, evidence-based technology platform that leverages the power of unique sets of advanced acoustic pressure waves to stimulate tissue repair and regeneration and eliminate visible signs of connective tissue disorders. AWT® is ideally suited to address cellulite.
 
Cellulite is a collection of fatty deposits rising through connective tissue, giving the appearance of dimpled, lumpy, or puckered skin, known as the orange peel effect. The severity of cellulite varies from mild to severe and commonly appears on the thighs, stomach, buttocks, and upper arms. Although the cause of cellulite is unknown, many contributing factors include aging, hormonal changes, weight, and genetics. 

As we age, the body loses its capacity to produce elastin and collagen, which ultimately weakens connective tissue and elasticity.

In aesthetics, success is a highly subjective matter, and beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. 
AWT offers practitioners flexibility and the ability to customize approaches to address specific concerns, fostering optimal outcomes for each patient.


Why choose CuraMedix for your AWT® devices?

When considering a vendor partner, it's imperative to prioritize unrivaled education and support from initial inquiry through post-sales integration and maintenance. CuraMedix is the premier choice for Acoustic Wave Therapy devices for many reasons.

First and foremost, we are customer-centric and fully dedicated to helping medical and aesthetic professionals seamlessly integrate AWT® into your practice to ensure optimal patient outcomes. 
We are proud to be recognized as the leading distributor of the full range of STORZ Medical shockwave devices and EMTT in the US. We've earned that ranking by providing top-notch customer and marketing support and offering education through shockwave leaders, in-house device experts, webinars, content, and events. 

While you can use an AWT® device and place the handpiece on the skin, it will work. With CuraMedix, you have the added assurance of continually having the educational opportunities to learn the art form and how to vary the treatments to continue optimizing results. That type of ongoing training and educational support at the highest level is instrumental to success and it’s an area in which CuraMedix excels.

Conclusion:

AWT® offers an outstanding alternative to surgery; the procedure entails 6-8 in-office sessions (1 time per week), approximately 20-30 minutes or more depending on the condition and treatment area. No wonder it's chosen increasingly by women; cellulite treatment with AWT is effective, long-lasting, and does not harm the dermis. You'll have your patients looking and feeling their best in short order.

Adding shockwave therapy to your continuum of care for cellulite offers non-invasive, versatile, and efficient solutions for dimpled skin and numerous aesthetic conditions.

When contemplating the purchase of a shockwave device, it's always best to consult with a shockwave expert who can help determine the ideal device based on your specific practice needs.

Learn more about the science behind shockwave for cellulite and regenerative solutions from CuraMedix, empowering you to integrate them effectively into your practice. Contact us today, and we'll connect you with a shockwave expert. 

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Topics: EPAT, Aesthetics, ESWT, shockwave, AWT