Body Contouring

A common concern we hear from our patients about their bodies is not be able to reduce size (regardless of dieting and exercise), sagging skin and stubborn cellulite. Body contouring and shaping includes different techniques to help reshape and rejuvenate almost any area of the body. In the past, plastic surgery has been the only answer to these issues. Now, we are able to use non-invasive technology to achieve a reduction in size of certain body areas, increased tone in lax or redundant skin and a diminished appearance of cellulite.

The reasons a person may experience persistent pockets of fat, skin laxity or cellulite can include genetics, the natural aging process, post-pregnancy and having a significant weight loss. A person may want to address their concerns but they don’t want the downtime or general anesthesia associated with traditional plastic surgery.

Imagine being able to decrease your waist by 1-2 pant sizes or toning up your belly so it does not hang over your pant waist. Velashape and Thermage can help achieve those results.

Velashape the first and only non-surgical FDA-cleared medical device for the Body Reshaping. It is a technology that uses radiofrequency, infared light and suction to cause fat cells to shrink in size and collagen to contract and tighten. Velashape is a safe, non-surgical treatment with no downtime and is virtually painless. Treatments take approximatley 20-30 minutes per treatment area. A series of 4-6 treatments are usually needed depending on the area treated. These treatments are idealy done once per week. You can expereince mild warmth and redness in the treated area for 1-2 hours after the procedure and rarely mild pinpoint bruises. Most of our patients start to see results within 2-3 treatments.

Thermage, is a radiofrequency device which allows us to achieve significant tissue remodeling by safely stimulating collagen causing contraction. The result is noticeable tightening without surgery and without downtime. In most patients, only a single treatment is required. The treatment can take 1-1.5 hours depending on the size of the area being treated. The area may appear red for a brief time after the procedure. Patients usually start to see results within 1-2 months of treatment.

Cellulite is that stubborn dimpling or rippling of the skin that plagues more than 80% of women over the age of 20, regardless of their weight or size, or how much you diet and excercise. It occurs when fat cells in the hypodermis (the deepest layer of skin) become over-inflated from an increase in fat storage. The fat cells become irregularly shaped and protrude up through the connective tissue causing dimpling or a "cottage cheese" appearance. Also, the collagen fibers that hold the fat cells in place loosen, adding to the likelyhood of the fat cells being able to reach the skin surface.

The prevalence of cellulite has led to many attempts at treatment, including a variety of topical solutions, massage-based therapies, and surgical techniques with not impressive results. Now, there are proven, medical technologies to help diminsh the appearance of cellulite.

Velashape is the first FDA class II cleared platform for cellulite treatment. Thermage can also diminsh the apearance of cellulite by tighting those loosened collagen finers holding the fat cells together. Smoothshapes is a technology, called photomology, that uses laser and light enegry with vacuum to help restore irregular shaped fat cells and tighten the aged collagen fibers. The treatment program includes 2 treatments a week for 4 weeks. The skin can feel warm and appear pink after each treatment. Within 2-3 weeks of treatment most patients begin to appreciate results with a smoother appearance to the skin.

The world of body contouring and shaping and is a very exciting and ever expanding part of cosmetic dermatology. We at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York are focused on working through clinical trials and treatment development of these new technologies in order to provide our patients with the best body contouring treatments that are available.

Enhance your body and feel better about yourself.