VelaShape

VelaShape is described as a non-invasive body contouring treatment for circumferential and cellulite reduction that can be used on various areas of the body, including the neck, arms, flanks, buttocks, abdomen, and thighs.

While VelaShape is not considered a weight loss treatment, it can reduce the trouble spots that diet and exercise cannot reach by using a combination of technologies to contour the body.

Our review takes a look at VelaShape, including what it is and how it works, as well as the number of treatments needed to see results, potential side effects, and costs.

We’ve gathered information from a board-certified dermatologist, a board-certified plastic surgeon, and other sources to provide you with vital information so you can decide if VelaShape is right for you.

What Is VelaShape?

VelaShape is a cellulite and body contouring treatment that utilizes vacuum, massage, infrared light, and radiofrequency to both increase collagen production and decrease fat layer thickness, said Dr. Ted Lain, a board-certified dermatologist and Chief Medical Officer at Sanova Dermatology in Austin, Texas.

In full disclosure, Dr. Lain doesn’t have personal experience with the VelaShape device in his practice. Rather, his knowledge is based on his own research.

“The infrared light, combined with vacuum, affects the second layer of the skin, resulting in new collagen growth,” Dr. Lain explained. “The bipolar radiofrequency targets the fat layer – cells in this layer are very sensitive to changes in temperature, such that heating results in fat cell death and, ultimately, body contouring.”

Dr. Yuly Gorodisky, who is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, describes VelaShape as a device that uses external energy and mechanical massage to improve skin tightness, cellulite, and reduce the size of the areas treated.

“The radio frequency energy helps to stimulate collagen contraction and fat reduction, infrared energy helps with skin tightening and improvement in circulation, lymphatic massage helps with smoothing the irregularities and decreases swelling,” explained Dr. Gorodisky, owner of the West Coast Plastic Surgery Center in Southern California.

According to the VelaShape website, the VelaShape III system is FDA-cleared for a temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite, and temporary reduction of a thigh and abdominal circumferences.

VelaShape provides dramatic results without downtime or significant discomfort, its website noted, and most patients see gradual and cumulative results throughout the treatment regime.

Through its bimodal effects on the dermis – the second layer of the skin – and the fat layer, VelaShape helps attenuate the appearance of cellulite, commonly referred to as dimpling of the skin surface, Dr. Lain noted.

“In addition to smoothing the appearance of the skin, VelaShape reduces the fat layer thickness, meaning that this technology helps take off inches as well,” Dr. Lain said.

Intended Use

The most commonly treated areas include:

• Abdomen
• Flanks
• Buttocks
• Inner and outer thighs
• Upper arms

“But all other areas of fat accumulation and/or cellulite can also be targeted,” Dr. Lain said. “These include the submentum (double chin), upper back (bra fat), and lower thighs.”

In Dr. Gorodisky’s practice, VelaShape is used for the treatment of skin laxity to improve the loose skin of the abdomen, thighs, arms, and buttocks.

“It also helps with cellulite dimples and reduces the circumference of the thighs, abdomen, and arms,” said Dr. Gorodisky.

Patients can expect the gradual smoothing of the skin’s surface with a noticeable reduction in cellulite, according to the VelaShape website. Patients can also expect a circumferential reduction, with noticeable reshaping of the treatment area.

Is VelaShape Effective?

Yes, VelaShape is very effective for the right patient, according to Dr. Gorodisky.

“I have seen great results in some patients who are good candidates and not so great results in patients who have too much skin laxity or are too overweight or have too much cellulite,” Dr. Gorodisky said.

In Dr. Lain’s opinion, the combination of technologies gives the VelaShape a good chance of achieving results.

“I am always suspect of technologies that purport to help cellulite, since it such a difficult condition to treat non-invasively,” Dr. Lain noted. “However, the use of radiofrequency for fat reduction is well researched.”

VelaShape Technology

VelaShape’s technology is based on a combination of bipolar radiofrequency (RF) and optical energies delivered to the dermis/hypodermis zones.

It was previously demonstrated that the combination of bipolar radiofrequency (RF) and optical energies with tissue manipulation is “an efficient reshaping modality,” according to a study published by the National Institutes of Health on the “Reduction in adipose tissue volume using a new high-power radiofrequency technology combined with infrared light and mechanical manipulation for body contouring.”

This study investigated the efficacy and safety of a new high-power version of this combined technology, in terms of adipose tissue reduction and skin tightening. Thirty-five patients received one treatment per week over 6 weeks to their abdomen/flank, buttock, or thigh areas, and were followed up to 3 months post completion of the treatment protocol.

The study noted that this new device has an increased power in the bipolar RF, as this parameter appears to be “the most important energy modality for volume reduction.”

“We observed a gradual decline in patient circumferences from baseline to post six treatments,” the study noted. “The overall body shaping effect was accompanied with improvement in skin tightening and was clearly noticeable in the comparison of the before and after treatment clinical photographs.”

Additionally, the thickness of the fat layer showed on average a 29% reduction between baseline and the 1-month follow up; and 93% of study participants demonstrated a 1–60 % change in fat layer thickness.

Patients subjectively described comfort and satisfaction from treatment, and 97% of them were satisfied with the results at the follow-up visit.

What Are the Potential Side Effects?

The device uses heat to treat the patient, so the main risk is of a skin burn, Dr. Gorodisky warned.

“Also, since radio frequency is used, the treatment is contraindicated in patients who have a pacemaker or defibrillator in place,” Dr. Gorodisky said. “Also, it should not be used if there are metal implants in the treated area and not in pregnant or breastfeeding women.”

For those undergoing a VelaShape treatment, it’s important to avoid sun exposure to the area treated, Dr. Gorodisky further advised.

Additionally, “a patient’s skin should not be too dark or infrared energy may need to be decreased or turned off,” Dr. Gorodisky said.

Also, “avoid numbing medications since the patient needs to communicate to the technician when the skin is feeling too hot,” he said. “Drink water and exercise after the treatment to get the best results.”

VelaShape Cost and Treatment Sessions Needed

In Dr. Gorodisky’s practice, the treatments range from $150 to $275 per session.

“Since at least five treatments are necessary for best results in our practice we package the treatments for a more cost-effective option,” Dr. Gorodisky said. “Most patients notice results after their second treatment, but five or more treatments are necessary for best results.

According to Dr. Lain, the recommended course is three treatments, although results may be evident after the first treatment.

“Many will elect to receive more treatments to enhance the benefit,” Dr. Lain said.

Finding a Qualified Provider

The best way to find a qualified Velashape provider is to use the “Physician Finder” tab on the VelaShape website. This guarantees that the provider has been adequately trained and vetted by the company, essentially giving the provider a “Seal of Approval.”

Best Candidates for VelaShape

According to Dr. Gorodisky’s blog post on VelaShape, the ideal type of person for this procedure is a patient who has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 29 or less; and those within The Nurnberger-Muller Cellulite Classification of Stage I or Stage II.

For example, with Stage I, there is No dimpling when the patient stands or lies down, but a pinch test shows the “orange peel” appearance of cellulite, Dr. Gorodisky explained.

With Stage II, there is “orange peel” dimpling when the person stands up, but not when they lay down.

“Cellulite that is more severe than this is best treated with another device called Cellfina,” Dr. Gorodisky added about this minimally invasive procedure that he also performs.

The Bottom Line

With VelaShape, you can safely achieve a toned and contoured body in as little as 4 treatment sessions – with results that leave your skin will looking and feeling more youthful and tighter than it has in years, Dr. Gorodisky wrote in a blog he posted on VelaShape.

“What’s more, you achieve this with no downtime,” he noted. “The procedure picks up where diet and exercise leave off.”

A patient needs to be evaluated before undergoing a VelaShape treatment to determine if they will benefit from it – or if other more aggressive options may need to be considered, Dr. Gorodisky further advised.

“There are several versions of the VelaShape device,” he said. “The latest, VelaShape III, is more powerful and produces much better results than the prior versions.”

This procedure is not technically for weight loss, Dr. Gorodisky added.

“Instead, VelaShape contours the body and reduces the problem areas that are resistant to diet and exercise, many of which are genetic,” he said.