Cellulite Subcision

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Baltimore, Columbia, Ellicott City and Maryland

Cellulite Subcision Baltimore, MD

Cellulite subcision is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that improves the characteristic dimpling or “lumpy” appearance of cellulite, which typically forms along the thighs and buttocks. Cellulite is a common condition primarily affecting more than 80% of women (1) and some men. Rather than being a result of excess fat, these indentations form when subcutaneous bands called septae pull down on the skin.

At Metamorphosis Plastic Surgery and MediSpa, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Markmann and his dedicated staff prioritize safety and patient-focused care through top-of-the-line aesthetic rejuvenations. Renowned for his expertise in body contouring, Dr. Markmann employs advanced subcision techniques to address cellulite at its source, achieving beautiful, long-lasting results.

To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Markmann and discover how cellulite subcision can benefit you, submit our online contact form or call our office at (410) 465-3600.

Before and After Photos

Cellulite Subcision Before & After Patient #3328
Cellulite Subcision Before & After Patient #3329
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About Cellulite Subcision

Cellulite subcision targets the strong, subcutaneous fibrous septae that cause the dimpling appearance of cellulite. The procedure does not simply hide cellulite; it makes minimally invasive surgical changes to the tissues beneath the skin to permanently release these targeted bands. Techniques have evolved since doctors first developed subcision in 1995 (2), but Dr. Markmann focuses on the original manual method, which he believes provides optimal results without additional expense, scars, or complications of vacuum-assisted or laser-assisted approaches.

About Cellulite

Cellulite is a naturally occurring yet notoriously difficult-to-treat condition that resists diet, exercise, and weight loss. While typically attributed to genetics, several other factors can also contribute to or exacerbate its development, including:

  • More fatty tissue
  • Natural skin aging
  • A sedentary lifestyle
  • A slow metabolism
  • Hormonal fluctuations
  • Thin skin
  • Skin drooping

Men who develop cellulite often have lower testosterone levels, suggesting that there is some hormonal correlation. (3) Since women tend to have a higher body fat percentage, especially in the lower body, the effects of the fibrous septae banding are often more pronounced. A decline in estrogen levels due to skin aging can also inhibit efficient blood circulation, further weakening skin durability and resilience against cellulite.

Benefits

Dr. Markmann’s subcision technique permanently releases targeted fibrous bands, providing significant cosmetic and surgical advantages, including:

  • Enduring Improvement: It provides incredibly long-lasting rejuvenation of the treatment area because it physically disconnects the bands.
  • Single Treatment: Patients see remarkable improvements after only one treatment
  • Skin Quality: The procedure can improve skin texture, durability, and elasticity.
  • Surgical Advantages: Subcision requires only local anesthesia, takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete, and requires no incisions, as Dr. Markmann performs the entire procedure with only a long needle.
  • Enhanced Results: Subcision can enhance the body-sculpting effects of other procedures, such as liposuction.

Candidates

Potential candidates for cellulite subcision are individuals in good overall health who are bothered by the appearance of their cellulite. Those with chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes may qualify if their condition is well-controlled with medication. Individuals with severely lax skin or significant fat deposits may not achieve their desired results with subcision alone and may benefit from alternative or corresponding treatments. Dr. Markmann will determine your full candidacy during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

During this one-on-one meeting, Dr. Markmann will thoroughly evaluate your cellulite, assessing your skin quality, body fat distribution, skin laxity, and the fibrous septations contributing to the condition. He can show you before and after photos of other subcision patients to give you an accurate representation of what you can expect from treatment. If he feels liposuction or another procedure may be a better fit, he will make his recommendation. Dr. Markmann and his team maintain a welcoming, non-judgmental environment, ensuring you fully understand the preparation, procedure, and recovery process to help you make an informed decision about proceeding with your personalized treatment plan.

To schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Markmann, speak to our staff by calling (410) 465-3600 or submit our online contact form.

Preparation

Preparation for cellulite subcision is fairly simple, thanks to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure. Dr. Markmann advises patients to suspend use of any blood-thinning medications or supplements and stop smoking prior to the procedure, if applicable. He will provide more specific instructions based on your personal health circumstances.

Procedure

The cellulite subcision procedure is typically quick and straightforward. Dr. Markmann begins by marking the exact locations of the most noticeable cellulite dimples. Following this, he injects a local anesthetic at each target area. After waiting for the anesthetic to take effect, Dr. Markmann inserts a long needle under the skin. He gently navigates this instrument around the subcutaneous layer to locate the tension from a fibrous band. He then releases these bands one by one, allowing the skin to immediately retract and create a smoother appearance.

Recovery

After subcision treatment, patients can typically resume regular activities within a day or two. Common side effects include bruising, tenderness, firmness, tingling, and swelling, all of which are normal and will resolve within a few weeks and with the aid of a compression garment.

Results

It may take a few weeks for the final outcomes to fully settle in, but once they do, the results are visibly smoother skin. The procedure permanently severs the specific fibrous bands causing the dimples. However, while the treated dimples are gone forever, people who are prone to cellulite can potentially develop new dimpling in other untreated areas in the future. Subcision is generally a scar-free procedure, as it does not require any incisions. Any needle marks will be miniscule and fade completely within a few days.

Corresponding Procedures

While cellulite subcision is an effective standalone treatment, patients can combine it with other body contouring procedures to maximize results and address multiple concerns simultaneously. During your consultation, Dr. Markmann can help you explore corresponding procedures, such as:

Liposuction

Liposuction does not address the fibrous septae that cause the appearance of cellulite, but it targets and removes stubborn fat deposits that may be a related concern. For patients who desire both slimmer contours and cellulite correction, Dr. Markmann can perform liposuction and subcision in one procedure, utilizing the same incisions to reduce scarring and recovery time.

SculpSure

SculpSure is an FDA-cleared diode laser system that focuses on underlying fat cells without harming the surface skin. The controlled heat from the laser damages the fat cells, triggering a process called apoptosis, or fat cell death. This non-surgical treatment works well in conjunction with subcision in areas such as the hips, thighs, and buttocks for improved contours and smoother skin texture.

BodyTite

BodyTite is a minimally invasive radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis (RFAL) technology that simultaneously removes fat while tightening the skin. Dr. Markmann may recommend this for patients who have significant skin laxity in addition to their cellulite. This treatment can help to firm and tighten the skin, complementing the smoothing effects achieved with subcision.

Cost of Cellulite Subcision in Baltimore

The total cost of your cellulite subcision treatment will depend on several factors, including the complexity of your concerns, the size of your treatment area, any post-procedure medication, and whether you choose to include any corresponding procedures. At Metamorphosis Plastic Surgery and MediSpa, we are committed to providing the highest-quality, safest treatments available. Dr. Markmann will provide you with a comprehensive cost breakdown at your personal consultation, which will reflect this commitment. We also offer cost-effective financing options to qualifying patients.

Call our Baltimore office at (410) 465-3600 or submit our online contact form to start exploring your cellulite treatment options.

FAQ

Is cellulite subcision permanent?

Yes, because subcision physically severs the fibrous bands that cause dimpling, the results are considered permanent. However, while the treated dimples will fade, new cellulite can potentially develop in other untreated areas over time.

How long does cellulite subcision take?

The entire procedure is relatively quick, typically taking about 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete, depending on the size and number of areas being treated.

Will I have any visible scars from cellulite subcision?

No, Dr. Markmann performs the entire subcision procedure using only a long needle, meaning there are no incisions. The tiny needle marks generally fade completely within a few days.

How long is the cellulite subcision recovery time?

Patients typically return to their normal routine within a couple of days and can resume more physical activities, such as working out at the gym, within about one week. Minor side effects like bruising and swelling will resolve over a few weeks.

Can topical creams help treat cellulite?

Certain skin creams can temporarily help reduce minor cellulite, but they are not a permanent solution. Many rely on ingredients like caffeine to smooth the skin through dehydration or retinol to thicken the skin’s outer layers, effects that are temporary and may not be conducive to long-term skin health.

References

  1. Gabriel A, Chan V, Caldarella M, Wayne T, O’Rorke E. Cellulite: Current Understanding and Treatment. Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2023 Jun 21. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10324940/
  2. Alsufyani MA, Alsufyani MA. Subcision: a further modification, an ever continuing process. Dermatol Res Pract. 2012;2012:685347.
  3. Friedmann D, Vick G, Mishra V. Cellulite: a review with a focus on subcision. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2017;Volume 10:17-23. https://doi.org/10.2147/ccid.s95830