Cellulite is one of the most common beauty concerns to affect women. It is estimated that 90 percent of women develop some degree of cellulite in their lifetime. This is true across all ages, sizes, and ethnicities. It has been a common school of thought that cellulite is a fat problem. While it’s true that cellulite does involve the fatty subcutaneous tissue, it is not true that one only gets cellulite above a certain weight. As research has begun to pinpoint the structures that are involved in the development of dimpled “orange-peel skin,” innovative treatment options have emerged. We are excited to be one of the first practices in NYC to offer one of them, QWO cellulite injections.
What is QWO?
QWO is the first injectable treatment developed specifically for the correction of cellulite on the buttocks. It is made by the pharmaceutical company Endo International, and it gained FDA approval in 2020 after successful clinical trials were completed. Those trials included women of all ages and sizes, and more than three-quarters of them reported significant improvement in the appearance of their skin after just three treatments.
As an injectable treatment, QWO works on the fibrous septae, the strong bands of connective tissue that tie the skin to underlying muscle. This product contains an enzyme, collagenase Clostridium histolyticum-aaes, that degrades Type I and Type III collagen, the proteins that make up the bands that cause cellulite.
How Does QWO Compare to Other Treatments?
QWO vs. CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is a popular body contouring treatment that works by freezing fat cells. This treatment can reduce fatty tissue, but it has no effect on the fibrous bands that cause cellulite. Therefore, CoolSculpting can’t really be considered a cellulite treatment at all, but a body contouring treatment.
QWO vs. Cellulaze
Cellulaze is a laser cellulite treatment that works by severing the collagen beneath the skin and stimulating collagen production. It works subdermally, so a small laser probe must be inserted through the skin to achieve the desired outcome. Cellulite works best on mild to moderate cellulite in women who are not overweight, according to the device manufacturer. QWO injections achieved good results even in women with excess weight.
QWO vs. Cellfina
Cellfina is a minimally-invasive procedure that manually cuts the collagen bands that pull down on the skin. Patients need a couple of days to recover from the procedure. QWO stimulates a chemical reaction through which the fibrous septae are severed. Patients can expect bruising, but this is not painful. There is no downtime needed.
There is no need to accept cellulite as a normal part of life. Treatment with QWO is quick, convenient, and effective. Contact our NYC office at (212) 508-0000 to schedule your consultation for QWO.