QWO^™

REDUCE DIMPLED SKIN IN PORTLAND,
OR, WITH THE FIRSTEVER FDA-APPROVED
INJECTABLE FOR CELLULITE

The Waldorf Center began offering cellulite-smoothing Qwo^™ for Portland-area patients because—regardless of how slim they are, their age, or how often they work out—the majority of women still have some uneven, dimpled flesh on areas such as the thighs, hips, and buttocks. Although this condition is common, many people consider the "cottage cheese" or "orange peel" skin to be unattractive and choose to remove it.

Most of the topical creams and lotions that purport to remove cellulite aren't actually effective, because they don't address the underlying cause of the problem: collagen bands that pull the surface of the skin downward. There are blade-based treatments to address cellulite, but not everyone wants to deal with incisions to lose their cellulite. Qwo^™ offers something different: As an injectable, there are no scalpels to worry about, and the results are visibly effective and long lasting.

WHAT CAUSES CELLULITE?

To have a clear idea of how Qwo^™ works, let's first take a look at how cellulite forms. Many people mistakenly believe that dimpling occurs because of extra fat on the butt or thighs, but cellulite is actually a structural issue that develops below the skin.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the skin. In certain areas, it forms fibrous bands— known as septae—that provide structure and support. Unfortunately, these septae can also cause fat cells in the area to crowd together and push against the surface of the skin. When this happens, a small dimple appears wherever the collagen bands below keep the surface from expanding upward evenly.

Cellulite tends to occur after girls go through puberty and worsens when they get older as their skin loses elasticity. More than 90 percent of women will develop cellulite to some degree somewhere on their body.

Women have a much higher likelihood than men of developing cellulite due to the makeup of their skin structure. There are also a number of risk factors that make cellulite more likely, including hormones, a poor diet, genetics, weight gain, and an inactive lifestyle. None of these is a specific cause, but all can make the dimpling more prevalent or pronounced.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR CONSULTATION FOR QWO^™

All Waldorf Center treatments start with a consultation that serves two purposes: It gives the patient a chance to ask questions and learn about possible treatments for specific conditions—including cellulite—and it allows the injector to asses the skin and recommend an ideal plan of action.

Before deciding on Qwo^™, your provider at the Waldorf Center will talk with you about your medical background, your aesthetic goals, and other relevant details, as well as explain how the treatment works, the expected results, preparation and aftercare, and more.

Qwo^™ is effective for women of all skin types, ages, body types, and ethnicities, but it may not be a suitable option for patients who have allergies to any of the ingredients contained in the injectable or any collagenase, as well as those who currently have an active infection in the treatment area.

WHAT IS QWO^™?

Qwo^™ (technically known as collagenase clostridium histolyticum-aaes) is an injectable that uses collagenase to break down the septae that cause cellulite. A collagenase is basically an enzyme that destroys accumulations of collagen and assists the body with generating new, healthy tissue. The enzyme used in this procedure is found naturally in the human body, though the exact way it works to address cellulite is still being studied.

There are cellulite treatments that sever the connective bands with a scalpel-like tool in a process known as subcision. Since Qwo^™ uses "enzymatic subcision"—not a blade—to release the divot-causing tension, the subcutaneous fat can restructure itself and lie flatter, creating smoother-looking skin to minimize the cellulite—all without incisions.

The FDA approved Qwo^™ in 2021 specifically for correcting moderate to severe cellulite on the buttocks of adult women. The Qwo^™ anti-cellulite injections have been shown to be more effective than other leading, non-surgical cellulite treatments. Qwo^™ also requires less recovery time and won't cause scars, unlike some of these other treatments.

YOUR QWO^™ SESSION

A Qwo^™ treatment can be completed in 10 to 30 minutes, on average. The injection process is quick, virtually painless, and straightforward. Since the buttocks are fleshier than other areas of the body, patients tend to notice the sensation of getting Qwo^™ less than they would on other areas of the body.

The injections are administered directly to the individual dimples, which are marked with a pen, and no anesthesia is needed. Afterward, patients can go back to their usual activities, with no post-treatment downtime required.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A QWO^™ SESSION?

After getting Qwo^™ injections, patients will need some time before they see visible improvements to their skin. As with any other type of injection, minor, short-term side effects like bruising and swelling at the injection site may develop and then resolve over several days.

Full, cellulite-reducing results are noticeable within 28 days after your third Qwo^™ treatment session. For optimal results, patients should schedule three treatments that are spaced 21 days apart.

Results from Qwo^™ are lasting. Although new collagen bands can potentially form, they may be thinner and weaker—and so cause less noticeable dimpling.

WHAT CAN COMPLEMENT QWO^™ IN PORTLAND?

Although fat is not the direct cause of cellulite, stubborn excess volume on the buttocks can certainly contribute to dimpling. The Waldorf Center offers CoolSculpting^® for patients who want non-surgical fat reduction and surgical liposuction for patients who want more dramatic results that are visible sooner.

CoolTone^™ is an energy-based treatment for toning the buttocks, giving them a firmer and shapelier appearance that pairs well with smoother skin.