MY BLOG: The best way to describe my tummy was lumpy, bumpy, wrinkly, peppered with a few stretch marks, topped off with a generous lashing of loose skin, well I guess that’s my proud badge for having given birth to two beautiful healthy babies. However, the appearance of my tummy had always bothered me, I found myself sucking in and breathing in when photo’s were being snapped, I hardly ever bent over in a bikini, and I learnt to adopt amazing stretchy poses that pulled the skin tight and smooth whenever I felt conscious of my bare skin around people, beaches, changing rooms.
I was invited to try Velashape to try and tackle these pesky issues and I did, at The Medizen Clinic in West Midlands.
VelaShape™ markets itself as the ONLY FDA cleared device that effectively and safely contours, shapes and slims the body, but if that wasn’t enough to impress you here’s the alluring bit, VelaShape™claims to reduce cellulite and firm problem areas in as little as 4 treatments.
VelaShape™, offer the treatment for the thighs, buttocks, love handles and abdomen areas.
The technology that is claimed to achieve all these fabulous accomplishments is the revolutionary elos™ combination of Bi-Polar Radiofrequency (RF), Infrared Light Energy, plus Vacuum and Mechanical Massage.
‘The results are achieved by ‘precise heating ensures a safe, effective, fast treatment with no downtime’ the vacuum and specially designed rollers for the Mechanical Massage smooth out the skin to facilitate safe and efficient heat energy delivery. The net result increases the metabolism of stored energy, increases lymphatic drainage and reduces or shrinks the size of the actual fat cells and fat chambers”.
VelaShape™ promises that you will see:
- A gradual smoothing of the skins surface with a noticeable reduction in cellulite
- Circumferential Reduction, with noticeable reshaping of the treated area.
- Circumferential Reduction of thighs
- A toned, contoured and well shaped body in as few as 4 treatment sessions; making you look and feel more youthful.
Candidates for VelaShape™ include patients with a body mass index under 30 and a cellulite classification level of one or two, in which cellulite appears spontaneously while standing up but not while lying down. Doctors performing the procedure will additionally assess each patient’s overall health before determining whether the procedure will be beneficial.
My Treatment
I had a total of 4 VelaShape™treatments, each lasting up to 45 minutes.
After settling down on the treatment couch, Maureen my lovely practitioner, raised my vest, asked me to unbutton and lower my jeans slightly, and then applied a cold thick gel to my abdominal area. (*Oooh I have just read over this paragraph – sounds suspicious).
After preparation which takes no more than two to three minutes Maureen applied the VelaShape™ device to my abdominal area and began a movement from the left to right side of my abdomen in slightly pressured sweeping strokes with the device.
What started off as a warm almost ‘massage’ like treatment on the tummy soon turned gradually into a warmer, and warmer and then eventually quite ‘hot’ temperature.
VelaShape™ is often described as feeling similar to a deep tissue massage, so this painless procedure actually feels therapeutic. A pulsed vacuum device is used to prep the skin for treatment by massaging the skin into the prime treatment position. The bi-polar radiofrequency and infrared light energies create a warming sensation on the skin as they isolate the fat cells under the skin’s surface.
Occasionally Maureen took the temperature of my skin to ensure she was staying within indicated levels, and at times I have to say my tummy felt ‘worryingly’ hot, however you know you’re in safe hands when the practitioner is constantly explaining and reassuring you as to what is happening ‘yes, your skin is quite hot now’ stated Maureen, ‘but don’t worry, I am constantly monitoring it to ensure we keep it safe and comfortable for you’.
This treatment continued for about 45 minutes, by the end of each session, I’d sit up with a red-hot tummy. The effects of the treatment would subside after about one hour and the hot abdominal ‘ache’ would gradually diminish.
After session 1, I did not see a huge difference to my tummy, or the appearance of my skin, but after my 3rd treatment my tummy definitely looked smoother and tighter and less ‘crinkly’. By the 4th treatment, I was wondering when I could have another course?
VelaShape™ state that ‘Most patients see gradual and cumulative results throughout the treatment regime’. I agree over the course of a couple of months the results settled and I have to say it was nice to see a smoother tummy for the first time in 5 years since being a ‘mum’.
I agree with the marketing claim that ‘VelaShape™ procedure is a safe, effective and virtually painless non-invasive solution’, however after 2 years the effects have now gradually disappeared.
“Nothing good lasts forever”, and in the case of this treatment, It’s a very apt expression of my experience with Velashape, the results whilst they did last were pretty impressive and pleasant.
Shall I book another course? hmmmm….