Body Contouring
& Cellulite
Cellulite, loose skin and the contour of your body, treated without surgery.
With Dr. Juliya Fisher and Dr. Shereene Idriss.
In Brief
Non surgical body contouring smooths and firms the body, releasing the dimples of cellulite and firming loose skin on the abdomen and buttocks. We first tell true cellulite apart from loose skin, because each needs its own plan, subcision with Sculptra for cellulite dimples and Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling for loose skin.
Diagnosis First
Cellulite is a normal anatomical variation, and almost everybody has some. Three things shape how it looks.
- Fibrous bands. Bands under the skin pull its surface down while the fat between them bulges, which is what makes a cellulite dimple. Treatment has to release the band.
- Genetics and circulation. Genetics plays a large part. Poor blood and lymphatic circulation, sitting for long periods and a salty diet can make dimples look deeper.
- Loose skin. With age, skin grows weaker and looser and can ripple. Rippling can be loose skin rather than cellulite, and it is treated differently.
Exercise alone will not remove cellulite. As overall body fat comes down, though, fat cells shrink and the dimples often show less. Treatment improves the appearance without making cellulite disappear for good.
Some people who come in for cellulite have loose skin instead. Knowing which you have sets honest expectations, and it starts with a dermatologist’s exam.
“Cellulite comes from bands under the skin. Loose skin is another problem entirely, with its own plan, so we sort out which you have before booking a single session.”
What We’d Skip
Much of what’s sold for cellulite works on fat, and cellulite is a matter of bands under the skin.
Don’t expect fat removal to fix cellulite
“Getting rid of fat is not a treatment for cellulite,” says Dr. Idriss. Liposuction and fat freezing leave the fibrous bands in place, and on loose skin liposuction can make dimpling look worse.
Don’t count on a cream
“No cream on the market is going to get rid of your cellulite,” as Dr. Idriss puts it. Caffeine creams can give a temporary improvement in the look of the skin, and that is all.
Don’t treat loose skin as cellulite
Rippling from loose skin needs firming, and releasing bands will not firm it. Your doctor checks which one you have first, so your expectations match what is possible.
Don’t expect one session to do it
Treating cellulite takes a series over months, never a single visit.
Don’t invest in quick fix massage devices
Radiofrequency massage devices give a short term boost before a beach trip, but they aren’t worth investing in for long term results.
How Are Cellulite and Body Contouring Treated?
First, find out whether the dimpling comes from fibrous bands or from loose skin. For true cellulite, releasing the bands with subcision is, as Dr. Idriss says, “probably the most definitive way.”
- Dimpled cellulite on the thighs or buttocks. Subcision, in which a needle under the skin releases the bands, comes first; it brings swelling and bruising. Sculptra & Radiesse, Sculptra placed in larger amounts over two to four treatments, then builds collagen to help smooth what remains over time.
- Loose or crepey skin on the abdomen or buttocks. Morpheus8, radiofrequency microneedling that reaches deeper on the body than on the face, firms loose skin, for example after a pregnancy or a C-section.
- Day to day, and before a beach trip. Dry brushing keeps lymphatic fluid moving, a light self tanner disguises dimples, and less salt, soda and alcohol help the skin look smoother. These help the appearance for a while, though none of them treats the bands.
None of these works in one session. Your doctor plans a series and tells you what to expect before you start.
The Treatments
We treat the body by cause.
- Pairs with subcision for cellulite
Sculptra & RadiesseSculptra, placed in larger amounts after subcision, to smooth cellulite over months 
Morpheus8Deep radiofrequency microneedling to firm loose skin on the abdomen and buttocks
Side by Side
Sculptra and Morpheus8 treat different causes, and your doctor may combine them. Accufit, which works on muscle, is listed for comparison.
| Treatment | How it works | Suited to | Downtime | Sessions | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sculptra & RadiesseCollagen building biostimulators | Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid) is injected in larger amounts, usually after subcision has released the bands, and builds your own collagen over months. Its FDA approval is for the face (cheek wrinkles); on the body it is used off label, at your doctor’s judgment | Cellulite dimples on the thighs and buttocks, and wider stretch marks | Little; possible swelling or bruising | Sculptra: a series; Radiesse: as your plan needs | Radiesse right away; Sculptra over months |
| Morpheus8RF microneedling | Needles deliver radiofrequency heat beneath the skin, deeper on the body than on the face, to remodel collagen and tighten | Loose or crepey skin on the abdomen and buttocks, for example after a pregnancy | 4 to 5 days of pink, slightly bumpy skin | One or a short series | Over months; full effect at about 6 months |
| AccufitMuscle stimulation | Electrodes make the muscles beneath them contract again and again. FDA cleared to improve muscle tone and firmness in the abdomen, arms, thighs and buttocks | Muscle tone only; it does not remove fat, tighten skin or treat cellulite | None; muscles may be tender 1 to 3 days | Usually four | Strength builds over the series |
In Their Words
“
I’ve always had a great experience here. Dr. Fisher is great, I’ve seen her many times for a variety of different conditions. I never feel rushed and her advice on treatments, products, and care have always been highly effective. The results are great. …
August R.
“
I would recommend Dr Idriss a thousand times over and over. She is extremely knowledgeable, knows what will work and what won’t and will always give you an honest recommendations. You will never feel pushed into moving forward with any injections or procedures.
Hiva F.
“
Highly recommend Dr. Fisher! She truly cares about your skin health before anything else, which made the experience incredibly comforting and informative. I left feeling not only great about my results but like I’d actually learned something about my skin. Dr. Fisher takes the time to explain every detail and makes you feel completely welcome. …
Tyler G.
“
Absolutely love Dr. Idriss. She has a very thoughtful approach to her practice and really wants you to look and feel like the best version of you. I’ve been seeing her for years and trust her completely with all my skincare needs. She is also just a lovely person and my appointments are always a pleasure.
Ekaterina B.
Bryant Park, New York
Your Dermatologists
Founder
Dr. Shereene Idriss
Candid advice, subtle results.
Board-certified, Practicing since 2013
Dermatologic Surgeon
Dr. Juliya Fisher
Trained to work in millimeters.
Double Board-certified, Columbia Mohs fellowship
Both doctors share one philosophy, so either is a good place to start. Book online with Dr. Fisher, or call (212) 612-1520 for Dr. Idriss.