Acoustic Wave Therapy for Cellulite:

The use of Acoustic waves or “shock waves” is the first therapy approved by Health Canada for the treatment of cellulite. Cellulite is seen almost exclusively in women because their skin and fat cell structure is different from that found in men. Cellulite is the changes in the skin texture that result in an “orange peel” or dimpled appearance of the skin. Studies have shown that 85 to 98 % of all adult women will have some cellulite. In men, the connective tissues that organize and support the fat run primarily perpendicular to the skin. This means that men have minimal pulling down of the skin by fat deposits, and therefore smoother skin. In women, the fat is organized perpendicular to the skin. This results in pulling down of the skin by the connective tissue support structure and an uneven surface. There are two major causes of cellulite. The first is a hardening of the connective tissue support system of fat. These are referred to as connective tissue (fibrous) septae. These are made of collagen. Over time, these septae harden and contract. The contraction results in most of the dimpled appearance that characterizes cellulite. Additionally, the contraction leads to blockage of the blood vessels and lymphatic drainage system. The blood vessel blockage further hardens the septae. The lymphatic blockage leads to thick, swollen appearing skin. The second major cause of cellulite is protrusion of fat cells into the deeper layers of the skin which results in worsening of the dimpling. These fat cells next to the skin are the last to be affected by weight loss. For this reason, exercise and diet alone cannot fully eliminate cellulite.

Acoustic wave therapy treats cellulite by mechanically vibrating connective tissue in affected areas of the body. This improves the skin’s appearance by causing the connective tissue to stretch which improves its elasticity, and increasing the blood supply to the connective tissue to improve blood flow. The treatment also releases healing mediators which increase the thickness and elasticity of the skin through a fibroblastic response so the underlying fat cannot protrude into the skin’s deeper layers.