A New Treatment For Smoother, Firmer Skin

Dimpled or uneven skin is a nagging problem for millions of women, including those who work hard to keep fit. Through Acoustic Wave Therapy™, women can achieve smoother skin in the areas where cellulite commonly forms — the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and arms.

AWT was created by the Swiss company Storz Medical, which adapted technology originally designed to ease the pain associated with poor circulation and stiff joints. MedSurge Advances, the exclusive U.S. distributor for AWT, has now begun offering the equipment necessary to perform AWT to a select number of physicians, with nationwide rollout later this year.

Clinical Tests Demonstrate Results

Clinical results in Europe and the United States show that AWT patients typically experience improvement in skin texture, improvement in skin elasticity, dermal firming and circumference reduction, said Dr. Bill Johnson of the Prevention First medical spa, who conducted the first clinical trials of AWT in the United States earlier this year in association with MedSurge Advances.

“My patients have seen dramatic results in reducing cellulite from Acoustic Wave Therapy. Women who have tried everything — from diet and exercise to various over-the-counter remedies — have seen results for the first time from AWT,” Johnson said. “I’ve literally had patients come into my office with tears in their eyes to thank me for introducing them to this treatment.”

How AWT Treats Skin Dimpling

While dimpled skin can be traced to genetics, hormones and lifestyle, the problem’s immediate cause is the accumulation of lipids in the fat cells. Swelling from lipid accumulation exerts pressure on the circulatory system, causing a slowdown both in the intake of nutrients and the drainage of waste products. Poor exchanges lead to a gradual stiffening of the connective tissue, which shortens as it stiffens, pulling the skin down. At the same time, the clusters of enlarged fat cells pull the skin up. The consequence of this push/pull mechanism is the appearance of dimpling.

Physicians have long used acoustic pulses to help patients ease the pain associated with poor circulation and stiff joints and tendons. Storz Medical has adapted this technology to improve the appearance of the skin.

Patients are treated twice per week for three weeks, with sessions generally requiring less than a half hour. Additional treatments are necessary for about 20 percent of patients. Patients may wish to have a maintenance session once every three months after completing the program.