QWO® - Breakthrough Injectable Treatment for Cellulite

QWO® is the first FDA-approved injectable medication for cellulite. It’s licensed by the US-based pharmaceutical company, Endo Pharmaceuticals. Its active ingredient is called CCH, which stands for Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum.  This is an enzyme that dissolves the fibrous collagen (mainly type one and three collagen) bands that cause the dimpling appearance of cellulite.

Many modalities have been tried to modify the factors contributing to the formation of cellulite, but the truth is, there is no one treatment that reverses cellulite.

Eating healthy can always be beneficial including foods rich in antioxidants, drinking a lot of water and exercising.

There are no scientific studies or FDA approved pills that target cellulite reduction.

Many over the counter products claim to reduce cellulite. The unfortunate reality is that none of these products have been studied to show their actual benefit or potential side effects.

There are several claims by manufactures of devices to temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite, and a few surgical procedures address the bands under the skin’s surface that cause the dimpling. For the first time, there is an FDA approved, injectable drug to treat cellulite, QWO®.

QWO® involves a minimally invasive injectable procedure that enzymatically dissolves the fibrous bands that cause cellulite. As the fibrous bands gradually dissolve, the tethering effect of the bands on the skin is reduced, and the skin is freed away, resulting in a smoother appearance.

QWO® is given as a series of three treatments, three weeks apart. Studies performed during the FDA approval process on over 800 individuals have shown results last up to one year or more. Individual results will likely vary based on many factors including the pre-existing grade of cellulite, lifestyle factors, diet, genetics, and hormones. Because this is a new treatment modality, the understanding of QWO® effectiveness is anticipated to grow.

QWO® is FDA approved for use on cellulite of the buttocks, but it has also been used with success on the dimples on the back of the thighs.

The treatment is quick and easy. After thoroughly cleansing the skin, the targeted area is marked and injected with QWO®. Patients do not need anesthesia for the procedure. Each session takes about 30 minutes. Once the treatment is completed, patients may resume their daily activities without any limitations.

Early experience suggests that you’ll start to see results as soon as three weeks after your treatment.

Patients with well-defined dimpling cellulite can expect to see the best results with the treatment.

The two cellulite procedures currently on the market target the bands contributing to cellulite, by severing the fibrous connections mechanically, either by knife (Cellfina®) or with a laser (Cellulaze®). QWO® is minimally invasive and injected into the skin, with a much simpler recovery.

Like any injectable treatment, there is a risk of swelling and bruising at the injection site. Patients can expect bruising to last up to several weeks. Mild to moderate soreness in the area treated can occur.

Pricing will vary based on the severity of the dimpling and the size of the treatment area. This will determine the amount of QWO®? that’s required to achieve the desired result. Pricing will reflect on how much drug is necessary to achieve the desired results.

Unfortunately, the answer to this question really varies from person to person. While weight loss can, in some individuals minimize the appearance of cellulite because there is less fat to protrude between the fibrous bands. On the other hand, weight loss can sometimes make cellulite appear more prominent because losing a significant amount of fatty volume from an area can lead to excess skin laxity, the same way that if you deflate a balloon, the shell of the balloon will ripple.

Cellulite presents most frequently in the buttocks, thighs, lower abdomen and the arms. However, it can be present in other areas as well.

Research suggest that fat cells involved with cellulite is different in a couple of ways. First, the fat cells tend to be larger than other fat cells in the body. Second, they tend to be more metabolically stable. So, efforts at weight loss and weight gain are less likely to affect the size of the fat cells that are getting trapped between the fibrous bands. This helps explain why weight loss and weight gain may not affect the appearance of cellulite.