Cellulite is an entirely normal skin concern, affecting up to 90% of women. Despite being natural and not harmful to health, many women with cellulite would prefer to see it disappear entirely. However, treatments targeting cellulite are notoriously ineffective or nonexistent — that is, until QWO.
QWO is the first FDA-approved injectable to reduce cellulite. This exciting, effective, and minimally invasive treatment is the first significant breakthrough in treating cellulite in years.
In The Dalles, OR, Columbia Laser Skin Center invests in the health and happiness of our patients by providing them with the latest options in treating all of their concerns. We’re excited to be one of the first providers in the area to offer QWO cellulite injections to our clients.
What Is Cellulite?
Cellulite is a skin condition in which the skin looks dimpled, resembling an orange peel or cottage cheese. The condition appears when fat pushes against the thin connective tissue under the skin, which causes the skin’s surface to look lumpy or puckered.
While cellulite affects both men and women, it’s much more common in women, with 80%-90% of post-pubescent women experiencing cellulite, but less than 10% of men.
What Causes Cellulite?
While the exact reasons why cellulite may affect some more than others is unknown, factors like genetics, age, sex, and fat percentage determine the amount of cellulite a person may have.
Cellulite forms in the skin through irregular tightening of the fibrous bands that connect the skin to the underlying muscles. As the tightening pulls some skin down, it pushes fat up, forming the dimpled appearance cellulite is notorious for.
The condition may worsen with age as the skin thins and the dimpling becomes more prominent. Additionally, even though people of all sizes develop cellulite, it may be more pronounced with weight gain.
What Is QWO?
QWO is a prescription injectable used to treat moderate to severe cellulite in the buttocks of adult women. QWO cellulite injections use collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH), an enzyme that targets the structural causes of cellulite under the skin.
In a process called Enzymatic Subcision and Remodeling (ESR), QWO cellulite treatments smooth the skin and degrade the treatment area’s collagen molecules. QWO injections into the area beneath the cellulite dimples break up the fibrous bands causing the cellulite, which are rich in collagen.
When QWO cellulite injections dissolve these fibrous bands, this releases the skin depressions caused by the bands’ irregular tightening. As the bands break up, the body’s fat cells are no longer trapped by the bands and can redistribute.
This action smooths the skin, and the enzymes in QWO injections stimulate new collagen growth, improving the skin’s appearance and firmness.
QWO’s work in dissolving the bands is essential to those looking for a more permanent cellulite solution, as the bands can’t reconnect after dissolving.
What Should I Expect During My QWO Treatment?
Before your initial treatment, a skilled member of the Columbia Laser Skin Center will meet with you to discuss your treatment plan, areas of concern, and aesthetic goals.
For your QWO cellulite treatments, we target the injections directly into cellulite dimples on the buttocks. A single QWO treatment is 12 injections, and patients can receive up to two treatments, or 24 injections, during one session. After your injections, you should rest on your stomach for about five minutes, and then you can go on with your day.
QWO treatments are quick, minimally invasive, and don’t require any anesthesia. In addition, unlike many other cellulite treatments, QWO injections don’t require any recovery period or downtime. However, we recommend patients refrain from strenuous physical activity and exercise for one to two days after their treatment.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
Every patient’s needs are different, and during your consultation, our expert team member will work with you to identify how many treatments you’ll need to reach your goals.
Generally, we advise a series of about three treatments to target all of your areas of concern. We schedule those visits around 21 days apart.
When Will I See Results from My QWO Treatments?
Most patients see dramatic results within 28 days of their third QWO treatment. However, some patients see results as soon as a month after their first treatment.
How Long Do QWO Cellulite Treatments Last?
In studies and clinical trials, the effects of QWO cellulite injections can last anywhere from one to two years. However, some early studies show that QWO might permanently reduce or eliminate cellulite from the treated areas.
Since QWO is a newly approved treatment, knowledge of its true longevity in treating cellulite is still developing.
How Can I Tell If My Cellulite Is Treatable?
QWO only works on actual cellulite. However, skin laxity sometimes resembles cellulite, and QWO cannot treat skin laxity, which is caused by a decrease in the body’s collagen and elastin production. As these proteins break down, skin loses its firmness, causing it to sag.
Since QWO targets the treatment’s fibrous bands specifically, it can’t fix the dimpling caused by skin laxity. To check at home, pull up on the skin by pressing up above the indentation to determine whether your dimpling skin is cellulite. You may have skin laxity if the dimple disappears as the skin lifts.
If you’re wondering whether QWO cellulite treatments are a solution for your dimpling skin, schedule a consultation with Columbia Laser Skin Center to learn more. Our expert team can’t wait to reveal the smooth, dimple-free skin you’ve always wanted. So call or book an appointment online today!
