Key Takeaways
- Cellulite results from bands of connective tissue, called fibrous septae, that pull the skin down and create dimples, which is different from simple fat accumulation.
- Topical creams, massage, and many noninvasive devices rarely provide lasting cellulite improvement because they do not release these fibrous bands.
- Avéli uses a minimally invasive subcision technique to identify and release individual septae in a single in-office session, which supports long-lasting smoothing in the treated areas.
- Results and downtime depend on your anatomy, skin quality, and health, so a detailed consultation is essential to set realistic expectations and design a safe plan.
- Mirror Plastic Surgery Med Spa offers Avéli treatment with a personalized, anatomy-focused approach; schedule your Avéli consultation at Mirror Plastic Surgery Med Spa to review your options.
Understand Cellulite So You Can Choose the Right Treatment
What Cellulite Is (And What It Is Not)
Cellulite is a structural condition in which fibrous septae, or bands of connective tissue, tether the skin to the underlying fascia. As fat cells expand or skin elasticity decreases, these bands pull the skin downward and create dimples. The process involves three elements: the fibrous septae, the fat compartments between them, and the quality of the overlying skin.
Cellulite can appear as mild orange-peel texture that shows only when you pinch the skin or as deeper dimples visible even when standing. Because this is an architectural issue inside the skin, cellulite can affect people at many different body weights and fitness levels.
Why Creams and Massages Often Disappoint
Most traditional cellulite methods do not reach the fibrous septae. Topical products may hydrate the surface and give a short-term smoothing effect. Massage and some noninvasive energy devices can encourage fluid movement and modest collagen changes. These approaches usually do not cut the bands that cause dimpling, so results tend to be limited and temporary.
Many patients try several options without meaningful change, which can create frustration. A focused assessment of your cellulite pattern helps determine whether a structural solution like Avéli is appropriate. Book a consultation with Stephanie to learn how your individual anatomy influences treatment choices.
Why Many Patients Choose Mirror Plastic Surgery
Mirror Plastic Surgery uses a concierge-style, low-volume model that allows time for detailed evaluation before any treatment. New Avéli consultations can last up to an hour, covering medical history, skin quality, cellulite pattern, and long-term goals. The practice serves patients in the St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay area who prefer a measured, medically grounded approach to non-surgical aesthetics.
Recommendations focus on safety, function, and natural-looking outcomes. Treatment plans are based on anatomy and available evidence, rather than one-size-fits-all packages. This supplier-neutral philosophy helps match each patient with the procedures most likely to support their goals.
Meet Your Injector: Stephanie DeSimone
Stephanie DeSimone is an aesthetic injector at Mirror Plastic Surgery with a background in mathematics and years of experience as a surgical assistant. This blend of technical training and hands-on operative work supports a strong understanding of surface and subdermal anatomy, which is important for precise procedures like Avéli.
How Stephanie Approaches Avéli Treatment
Stephanie follows a “less is more” philosophy, aiming for balanced improvement while preserving each patient’s natural contours. She studies how cellulite dimples line up with the deeper anatomy, then designs a pattern for septae release that respects nearby structures.
This method helps limit unnecessary trauma and focuses treatment where it is most likely to matter. Schedule your personalized Avéli consultation with Stephanie to review your anatomy and goals in detail.
How Avéli Cellulite Treatment Works Step by Step
Mechanism: Releasing the Fibrous Septae
Avéli relies on a minimally invasive technique called subcision. A slender device passes under the skin through small entry points. Stephanie guides the device to individual fibrous septae that create visible dimples and uses its tip to release those specific bands.
The device provides tactile feedback, so she can feel when a septum releases. This allows targeted treatment of the bands that matter while leaving healthy support structures intact. Once these restrictive septae are cut, they do not grow back in the same way, which supports durable smoothing in the treated areas.
Your Avéli Appointment: What Happens in the Office
The visit begins with marking dimples while you stand, so the pattern seen in normal posture guides the plan. After this mapping, you lie down, and Stephanie numbs the area with local anesthesia to keep you comfortable.
The practitioner then uses the Avéli device to release each marked septum through a few small access points. Most sessions take about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the number of dimples and treatment zones. Patients usually describe pressure and tugging rather than sharp pain because of the local numbing medicine.
Recovery, Downtime, and When You See Results
Most people experience bruising, swelling, and tenderness for several days, sometimes up to a few weeks. These changes reflect the subcision process and usually improve without intervention. Many patients return to desk work within a day or two and resume exercise after about one week, following the provider’s guidance.
Early smoothing often appears as swelling decreases, but the most noticeable change generally develops over 3 to 6 months. During this time, tissues settle into their new position and remodel. The released septae stay released, so results in treated areas tend to be long lasting, though natural aging and weight changes can still affect overall skin appearance.
How Avéli Compares to Other Cellulite Treatments
Avéli directly targets the structural bands that cause dimples. Many other options act primarily on the skin surface or on fat volume, which may not fully address the underlying architecture.
| Treatment | Primary Action | Invasiveness | Typical Treatment Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avéli | Releases fibrous septae | Minimally invasive | Usually single session |
| Radiofrequency devices | Heats tissue and stimulates collagen | Noninvasive | Multiple sessions, maintenance often needed |
| Topical creams | Hydrates and tightens surface skin | Noninvasive | Daily, short-lived effects |
Because Avéli changes the internal support structure, its results in treated dimples often persist longer than surface-focused treatments. Treatment choice still depends on your skin quality, medical history, and comfort with minimally invasive procedures.
Key Considerations Before Choosing Avéli
Who Typically Makes a Good Candidate
Ideal candidates usually have:
- Noticeable dimpled cellulite caused by fibrous septae
- Reasonably good skin elasticity
- Stable health without active infection or bleeding issues in the area
- Realistic expectations about improvement rather than perfection
During consultation, Stephanie evaluates skin thickness, elasticity, and dimple pattern. This assessment helps predict the degree of smoothing that Avéli can offer and whether combination treatments might be useful.
Expected Results, Risks, and Side Effects
Most patients see a significant reduction in the depth and visibility of dimples, though the amount of change varies with anatomy and skin quality. Complete removal of every contour irregularity is unlikely; the goal is meaningful softening and smoother lines in clothing and at rest.
Common side effects include:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Tenderness or soreness
- Temporary numbness in treated zones
These effects are generally temporary and improve over days to weeks. Complications are uncommon when a trained provider uses proper technique and reviews medical history carefully.
Value of a Personalized Plan at Mirror Plastic Surgery
Mirror Plastic Surgery integrates Avéli into a broader aesthetic plan instead of treating cellulite in isolation. The team considers how cellulite correction interacts with skin quality, body contour, and any previous procedures.
Your plan may include timing Avéli around events, coordinating with other treatments, or deciding to treat only the dimples that affect you most. Schedule your detailed Avéli assessment to explore a tailored approach.
Clearing Up Common Myths About Cellulite and Avéli
Cellulite is not just excess fat; it is a structural pattern that can appear even in very fit individuals. Weight loss and exercise support general health and may slightly soften the look of cellulite, but they do not cut the fibrous septae that cause dimples.
Not all cellulite treatments work the same way. Surface approaches may smooth texture for a time, but Avéli targets the internal bands responsible for dimpling, which can support longer-lasting results in treated areas. Get expert guidance on Avéli treatment to match the method to your specific concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions About How Avéli Works
Is Avéli permanent?
Avéli permanently releases the specific fibrous septae that are treated. Those bands do not reform in the same way, so improvement in those dimples is long lasting. New dimples can develop over time in untreated areas due to aging, hormones, or weight changes.
How many Avéli treatments will I likely need?
Most patients need only one Avéli session for each area. The goal is to release all responsible septae in that zone during a single appointment, unlike many noninvasive options that require a series of visits.
How uncomfortable is the procedure and recovery?
Local anesthesia keeps the treatment itself comfortable for most patients, who usually feel pressure rather than pain. Afterward, soreness is often compared to a workout-related ache and typically improves within several days. Over-the-counter pain relief is usually sufficient, if needed.
How long is the downtime after Avéli?
Most people resume regular daily activities within one to two days and return to exercise after about a week, depending on how they feel and the provider’s instructions. Bruising and swelling can persist longer than the activity restrictions but continue to fade with time.
Next Steps: Make an Informed Choice About Cellulite Treatment
Avéli offers a focused way to smooth dimpled cellulite by addressing the fibrous septae under the skin. For the right candidate, this minimally invasive approach can provide long-lasting improvement in the treated areas with a single office visit.
At Mirror Plastic Surgery, Stephanie DeSimone combines detailed anatomical knowledge with a patient-centered process to plan and perform Avéli safely. The practice’s concierge-style model allows time to answer questions, review medical considerations, and design a plan that fits your goals and schedule. Book your comprehensive Avéli consultation with Stephanie DeSimone to see whether this treatment is a good match for your needs.
Book a Consultation
The team at Mirror Plastic Surgery provides individualized cellulite evaluations and Avéli treatment planning for patients in the St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay area.
Contact Mirror Plastic Surgery:
Phone: 727-361-6515
Email: hello@mirrorplasticsurgery.com
Address: 780 4th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Instagram: @mirrorplasticsurgery, @dr.akashplasticsurgery, @perfectlyplastics
Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person. Editorial content, before and after images, and patient testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of specific results.
