VelaShape: What You Need to Know

Pros

• Treatments don’t take very long. The procedure itself typically only lasts 20 to 30 minutes, though it can take longer for multiple areas. 
• There’s no downtime afterward and you can immediately return to normal activities. 
• The procedure is, by most accounts, painless.  
• It works well in combination with other procedures. 
• It's safe for all skin types and tones. 

Cons

• You’ll need multiple treatments—usually three to six sessions, spaced a week or so apart—to see results. Candela Medical, the device manufacturer, says you'll see results in just three treatments, but multiple doctors who’ve used the device say it can take more than that. 
• Your results will be temporary, and you’ll need three to four follow-up sessions every year to maintain them.   
• Results can be subtle. Some RealSelf members who reviewed the procedure say they didn't see the results they expected.
• One reviewer suffered burns that left permanent scars.
• This is not a fat reduction procedure, so if that's your primary goal, you'll probably see better results from a body contouring treatment.

• Average Cost:
• $1,321

• Range:
• $350 - $2,225

According to RealSelf members, the cost of VelaShape can vary greatly.

Your cost will depend on the number of sessions you have, the size and number of the areas being treated, the experience level of your provider, and their office location.

Some practices offer special pricing if you buy a package of treatments.

See our complete guide to VelaShape costs

Studies and clinical trials show that VelaShape is effective, with a few caveats.

A 2015 study reported that “patients treated with the VelaShape device showed significant improvements in mean circumferential reduction and skin laxity.”

Clinical trial results published in 2014 showed that a series of VelaShape II treatments to reduce fat led to “average reductions in the circumference of the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs of 1.4, 0.5, and 1.2 cm, respectively” within 3 months of their last treatment session. 

A 2018 article in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology surveyed the results of reputable studies and concluded that VelaShape has been shown to reduce cellulite.

However, the results they cited were seen in patients who had twice-weekly treatments for up to eight weeks (with earlier device models), which points to the need for new research on results from VelaShape III.

While most studies show promising results, RealSelf members give the treatment a notably low Worth It Rating.

VelaShape works best for people who are at a healthy weight, with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 30 and mild to moderate cellulite. If your skin has some dimpling or an “orange peel” look when you’re standing up (stage 1 or 2 on the Nurnberger-Muller Cellulite Scale), you may be a good candidate. 

It's not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or people with an implanted automatic defibrillator, pacemaker, or other electronic device.

If you’re taking blood thinners, you’ll need to stop taking them for at least 5 days before your treatment to reduce the risk of serious bruising.

“VelaShape offers an improvement, not a cure, for cellulite,” says Dr. Nichter. VelaShape can improve its appearance, but while there’s no permanent cellulite removal solution, other cellulite treatments get higher Worth It Ratings. See the top cellulite treatments, according to providers and RealSelf members. 

Cellulite is caused by fibrous bands, called septa, that run vertically between the skin and fascia. These bands bundle fat into honeycomb-like compartments.

When they stiffen in response to hormonal shifts, they pull the skin down and compress the fat until it bulges out of these compartments, causing the appearance of dimples and pits on the skin’s surface.

VelaShape's suction and massage rollers relax the bands, while the RF energy shrinks the fat cells in the treatment area.

The combination creates a temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite.

The numbers I, II, and III refer to the model of the VelaShape device, with 3 being the newest.

“It’s important to note that there are several generations of the VelaShape device, so make sure your doctor is using VelaShape III, the most advanced and effective version,” says Dr. Nichter.

Doctors on RealSelf report better results in fewer sessions with the newer devices.

During the treatment, you’ll lie on a table while your doctor places the handheld device against your skin.

You’ll feel a gentle suctioning as the device pulls the skin’s fatty layer closer to the device, to maximize exposure to the infrared light and RF energy. You'll also feel a warm sensation as it causes “deep heating of the connective tissue, which stimulates collagen,” explains Orange County, California, plastic surgeon Dr. Jed Horowitz. Let your doctor know if the treatment feels too hot at any point.

“At the end of a procedure, you should feel like you’ve had a vigorous deep tissue massage. Your skin should be pink and warm to the touch,” says Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Carmen Kavali.

RealSelf Tip: The treatment doesn’t require any preparation, though Dr. Nichter tells his patients to try to be well hydrated. “Radio waves travel through water faster—and being hydrated will make the radiofrequency portion of VelaShape more effective,” he says.

“VelaShape requires no downtime or recovery period,” says Scottsdale, Arizona, plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Shapiro in a RealSelf Q&A.

However, it’s “normal for the treated area to appear red for several hours after the treatment session,” he says.

You may also have some swelling, if your skin is very sensitive.

Most people see optimal results about six to eight weeks after they’ve completed a full treatment series, though some RealSelf members say they started seeing results after their first or second treatment.

No, VelaShape results aren’t permanent. You’ll need to maintain them with follow-up treatments at least every six months, and by exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet.

Dr. Nichter says, “I tell my patients to think of VelaShape like salon hair color, manicures, or teeth cleaning. To maintain results, you’ll need to come in for touch-ups.”

VelaShape is considered safe, with minimal risks when it’s done by an experienced provider.

“The most common side effect is occasional bruising, but it lasts for only a few days,” says Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory Turowski in a RealSelf Q&A. “It isn’t very common, but there’s also a chance of scabbing or blistering—more so in people with very loose skin. The doctor can help prevent this by lowering the level of the energy delivered.” There’s also a small chance of burns.

Women who are pregnant or nursing should wait to have a VelaShape treatment, since research hasn’t yet been done to prove that it’s safe for them.

VelaSmooth, the first non-invasive medical device approved for the treatment of cellulite by the FDA, is also made by the Syneron company. The VelaShape I, II, and III replaced VelaSmooth, which has a considerably lower Worth It rating from RealSelf members. 

VelaShape has connectors for multiple applicators, so different treatments can be performed without having to switch back and forth. We recommend that you seek out a provider with the most up-to-date VelaShape machine.

Endermologie addresses cellulite by combining firm massage and suction to break up fat cells and smooth out skin.

With no downtime, it’s another noninvasive way to treat cellulite on the thighs, butt, and other areas, but doctors on RealSelf agree that VelaShape provides superior results.

CoolSculpting reduces unwanted fat by freezing fat cells using controlled cooling, or cryolipolysis, compared to VelaShape’s combination of infrared light, bipolar RF energy, massage, and gentle suction. 

“I use both in my practice,” says Dr. Michele Green, a New York City dermatologist. “CoolSculpting strictly treats fat bulges and reduces fat in many different areas by 25%. It can be used to treat the upper arms, thighs, abdomen, flanks, submental fat, banana roll and bra fat."

"VelaShape, while reducing some circumferential fat in select locations of the body, treats the texture of the skin and improves the appearance of cellulite," Dr. Green explains. "For this reason, I often combine both VelaShape and CoolSculpting in treating my patients, especially in the buttock area.”

Both of these procedures are not considered weight loss treatments and it's essential to partake in a healthy lifestyle post-procedure in order to maintain your overall improvements.

Treatments to get rid of cellulite get mixed reviews. Most offer only subtle improvement and none provides a permanent solution.

The only two cellulite treatments that currently get a higher Worth It Rating than VelaShape from RealSelf members is Cellfina and Qwo. Cellfina uses small needles to cut the fibrous connective bands that create dimples under your skin, while Qwo is an injectable that uses two types of collagen-degrading enzymes to sever those same septae bands.

These other options have all been reviewed by RealSelf members, with one consistent trend: about half of reviewers thought they were Worth It, while the rest were disappointed. Utilizing a combination of technologies may result in a more satisfactory outcome, so speak to your provider about that before signing up for treatment.

• Accent laser uses radiofrequency energy to reduce cellulite and tighten skin. 
• SmoothShapes uses lasers, suction, and massage to stimulate collagen production and liquefy fat cells so they can be eliminated.  
• Ultrasonic Cavitation such as VASER Shape, which blends ultrasound and massage to boost circulation and lymphatic drainage, targets fat cells in the arms, belly, love handles, thighs, or chin. 
• Venus Legacy employs radiofrequency energy and suction to tighten skin and shrink fat deposits.