Most women have some cellulite. While the condition is normal and natural at any weight, many patients would prefer to have smooth skin. QWO is a new treatment option for cellulite which can reduce the appearance of dimples through injections alone.
What is QWO?
QWO is the only FDA-cleared injectable treatment for cellulite and the first treatment of its kind. QWO works using an enzyme which breaks down the fibrous septae that run below the skin and through the fat layer of the buttocks. These tissue bands can become taut and pull the skin down, resulting in the dimpled appearance of cellulite. While this is a very common and natural occurrence, using QWO to release these fibrous bands will achieve a smoother appearance.
What Can QWO Treat?
QWO is approved to treat cellulite, the dimpled or “cottage cheese” appearance of the skin, in the buttocks of adult women. Some patients may also see benefits of injecting QWO to the backs of the thighs to smooth cellulite.
Who is a Good Candidate for QWO?
A vast majority of adult women have cellulite in their buttocks, which means that many people are good candidates for QWO. However, those who are allergic to collagenase or who have an active infection in the treatment area should not receive QWO injections. Those who take certain medications or herbal supplements, such as anti-inflammatories or blood thinners, may also be poor candidates. Finally, QWO is not recommended for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding. During your consultation, your injector will review your health history and examine the treatment area to determine whether you are a good candidate for QWO injections.
What Happens During QWO Treatment?
QWO injections are relatively painless. As needed, topical numbing creams can be applied to the treatment area to keep you comfortable through the procedure. The product can then be injected using a small needle; QWO injections are done using needles similar to those used in Botox injections. There is no downtime required after receiving QWO injections, and you can immediately return to your normal routine. A single injection session for QWO can be completed in as little as 10 minutes.
Most patients require three injection sessions to see their best possible results from QWO. Each appointment will be scheduled at least 21 days apart. After your third session, your results can be evaluated to determine whether additional injections are necessary to reach your desired results.
QWO Results and Recovery
QWO does not require downtime, but you can expect some side effects after injections. Soreness, nodules, and bruising are all normal side effects after QWO. Bruising is the most notable side effect for most patients, with up to 84% seeing some bruising. This should improve through each round of injections.
Results will gradually appear as you receive additional QWO injection sessions. Patients will see their final results within a few weeks after their final QWO injections, and should notice smoother skin with reduced cellulite.
Schedule a Consultation
To learn more about QWO, schedule a consultation at Allegany Plastic Surgery in Cumberland, MD. Call our office at (301) 724-5885 or contact us online.
