How Acoustic Wave Therapy Works

Cellulite occurs when the connective tissue beneath the skin contracts and becomes less elastic, a common side effect of aging. This pulls the surface of the skin down unevenly, creating a dimpled appearance. Because the connective tissue that supports fat beneath the skin in women is organized differently than in men, cellulite is much more common in women.

How Does Acoutstic Wave Therapy Work?

AWT uses pressure waves to vibrate the tissue beneath the skin. This disrupts the connective tissue, allowing it to release from fat tissue. It also stimulates healing in the connective tissue. The growth of new, stronger, more elastic connective tissue as the healing process progresses greatly reduces the appearance of cellulite, leading to a smoother, younger look as well as healthier skin and stronger support structures beneath the skin.

What Results can be Expected?

Typically, a patient will undergo two fifteen- to thirty-minute in-office sessions per week for six to eight weeks. It usually takes two to three weeks for the results to begin to become apparent, and the appearance of the skin will continue to improve for up to three months after treatments are completed. In areas where the skin is loose, results may take longer to fully develop. AWT is painless, and requires no anesthetic or downtime. Most doctors recommend maintenance sessions about every three months to maintain results.

How Much Does Acoustic Wave Therapy Cost?

On the down side, AWT can be expensive, particularly since it is relatively new. Individual sessions can cost as much as $300, and a full treatment plus regular maintenance sessions can run into the thousands. Since AWT is a cosmetic procedure, costs will likely be out-of-pocket, since few insurance policies cover purely cosmetic treatments. However, AWT is an effective treatment, so for those searching for a way to get rid of cellulite, AWT can be worth the expense.