Treatment for Cellulite

Project – Acoustic wave treatment for cellulite: 

Dr. Lau has been involved in the innovative use of acoustic (sound) wave technologies in medicine and aesthetics, especially for the treatment of cellulite. He holds several US patents and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed papers in this field. Also, he helped developed and tested clinically medical devices using HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) in Mexico, Germany and Italy. Dr. Lau was a co-inventor and developer for the ultrasound skincare device “JeNu” to help increase the effectiveness of skincare agents.

In this article, we’ll discuss how acoustic wave treatments work against cellulite, how cellulite is formed, and the different technology used by the professionals at IntimMed to treat cellulite in their patients.

Image: HIFU treatment of tumor non-invasively

Image: Clinical trial HIFU for uterine fibroids in Mexico City

What is Cellulite?

Acoustic wave technology is ideal in treating cellulite since it is completely non-invasive – no cut or puncture needed with no down time, but can treat tissue deep under the skin. To treat cellulite, we need to understand, as illustrated in the following diagrams, that cellulite is caused by localized fat bulges pushing the skin up while the fibrous bands pulling the skin down, causing the unsightly uneven dimpled skin. This is further complicated by local inflamation of the skin and poor circulation, resulting in the puffy orange-peel looking skin of cellulite.

The advantage of acoustic wave therapy is that it can reach both the superficial and deep tissues to address all these causative factors for cellulite as mentioned, non-invasively.

Image: Illustrating the causes for cellulite; and the resulting look of cellulite

How Shock/Pressure Wave Cellulite Treatment Works:

External acoustic wave – shock wave or pressure wave treatment for cellulite leverages its effect in:

• Increase in cell permeability
• Stimulation of microcirculation (blood, lymph)
• Release of nitric oxide (NO), which leads to vasodilation, increased metabolic activity and angiogenesis and has an anti-inflammatory effect
• Release of growth and healing factors
• Stimulation of stem cells
• Disrupt subcutaneous fibrous bands, fat cells

The CelluPulse system that we use at IntimMed works by generating shock waves by electro-mechanical means, as illustrated below:

The effective energy level we use to treat cellulite with is much lower than those for kidney stones, which makes the treatment less uncomfortable, as illustrated below:

Image: CelluPulse system at IntimMed

To make the treatment for cellulite more effective, at IntimMed we always perform lymphatic massage after the CelluPulse treatment. The effects of the lymphatic massage are:

• Improve lymphatic drainage & circulation

• Decrease local inflammation
• Even out potential tissue clumps after fatty tissue disruption

At IntimMed we use an automated lymphatic massage system – Balance Pro. We are the only clinic in Washington state that uses this “Hollywood celebrity” system, delivering relaxing comfort and good results. 

Image: Ballancer Pro system in used at IntimMed.

Before

After

Image: Before & After treatment photos of actual patient (with permission) after CelluPulse

At-Home Treatments for Cellulite

At IntimMed, we have developed a Cellulite Cream which clients can self-applied at home to increase and maintain the effectiveness of the cellulite treatment as well. Our multipronged treatment approach for cellulite is effective, economical, and comfortably non-invasive, leveraging the body’s own healing and regenerative power, with a bit of help from us. 

As an internationally known expert in cellulite, Dr. Lau was invited to deliver a lecture about the multimodal treatment for cellulite recently at the Aesthetic & Anti-aging Medicine World Congress 2025 in Bangkok Thailand.