Cellulite Treatment in NYC by Board-Certified Dermatologist

NYC's Top Cosmetic Physician: Expertise, Safety, Natural Results.

Cellulite treatment is one of the most sought after cosmetic treatments for women around the world. Studies have shown that up to 90% of women have cellulite at some point in their lives and that the great majority of women seek effective treatments.

Thankfully there are now excellent treatment options that are both safe and effective for the treatment of cellulite on the buttock and thighs. Our favorite cellulite treatment is Avéli, a minimally invasive procedure that treats the root cause of cellulite- fibrous bands that pull down on the skin causing dimples. For patients that do not have dimples but instead have cellulite in the form of rippled, loose, or lumpy skin we offer a combination of Emtone and biostimulatory injections.

At our office all Avéli treatments and injections are performed by Dr. Arash Akhavan. Cellulite treatment is one of his favorite procedures because of the joy experienced by patients when they compare their before and after pictures. We invite you to take a look at some of our amazing results in our Before and After gallery below.

All Avéli procedures and injections are performed personally by board-certified dermatologist, Arash Akhavan, MD. This ensures that your provider has the highest level of expertise possible for cellulite treatment.
Dr. Arash Akhavan has been at the forefront of advancements in cellulite treatment in New York City for over a decade. We were the first practice in the City to offer Cellfina and Emtone when they first came out many years ago, and we were one of the first clinics in the world to offer Avéli when it was approved for use a few years ago.
Dr. Arash Akhavan is a nationally recognized expert in cellulite treatment and has been highlighted numerous times in the media on television, print, and online.
Dr. Akhavan has led the team at The Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City for over 15 years and has been a member of the prestigious faculty in the Department of Dermatology at The Mount Sinai Medical Center for over 17 years. He has been recognized as a New York Magazine Top Doctor and awarded as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor every year for over a decade.
Our cellulite treatment results have been spectacular and our Before and After images have been extremely popular online and on social media, as well as medical conferences around the world.
We only offer treatments that have been proven effective in scientific studies and published in medical journals.

The Dermatology and Laser Group has been at the forefront of cellulite treatment for over a decade. Dr. Akhavan is amongst the first physicians in NYC to offer effective cellulite solutions such as Avéli and Emtone, just as he was with older cellulite treatments such as Cellfina and Qwo.

Avéli

Avéli is our favorite procedure for treating cellulite dimples. It is a minimally invasive treatment that targets the fibrous bands beneath the skin that cause dimpling. It is a safe treatment with effective and usually permanent treatment of dimples.

Emtone

Cellulite does not always present as dimpled skin. Some cellulite presents as rippled, loose, and/or lumpy skin. The best device used for people with this type of cellulite is Emtone, a device that combines Radiofrequency (RF) and Targeted Pressure Energy (TPE) that smooths fat and improves collagen and elasticity in the skin. Dr. Akhavan has been a national leader in using Emtone for cellulite treatment.

Biostimulatory Fillers

Biostimulatory injections like hyperdilute Radiesse, Sculptra, PRP, and exosomes are injected to stimulate collagen production, providing longer-lasting results for loose or rippled skin. We combine these injections with Emtone to produce impressive improvements in skin texture that lasts longer than Emtone alone.

Combination and Customized Cellulite Treatment Approaches

At The Dermatology and Laser Group, we recognize that no two cases of cellulite are exactly alike. That’s why we specialize in creating personalized treatment plans that combine advanced procedures for optimal results—tailored to your unique skin and goals.

Why Combine Treatments?

Cellulite can present as dimples, ripples, loose skin, or a combination of these. By combining targeted procedures, we address both the structural causes and surface appearance of cellulite, delivering smoother, firmer skin that lasts.

Our Most Effective Combination Approaches

Avéli + Emtone:
For patients with both pronounced dimples and areas of rippled or loose skin, we often recommend a combination of Avéli and Emtone. Avéli precisely releases the fibrous bands causing dimples, while Emtone uses radiofrequency and targeted pressure energy to smooth the overlying skin, improve elasticity, and enhance collagen production.
Emtone + Biostimulatory Injections:
For those with more diffuse, rippled, or lax skin, pairing Emtone with biostimulatory injections (such as hyperdilute Radiesse, Sculptra, PRP, or exosomes) can provide dramatic improvements. Emtone tightens and smooths, while injections stimulate natural collagen for longer-lasting texture enhancement.

Customized Plans for Every Patient

During your consultation, Dr. Akhavan will assess your cellulite type, skin quality, and aesthetic goals. Together, you’ll decide on the most effective combination, ensuring your treatment plan is as unique as you are.

Experience the benefits of a truly personalized approach—designed to help you achieve your smoothest, most confident self.

Outdated Procedures

We no longer offer procedures such as Cellfina, Qwo, and Cellulaze as newer technologies, like Avéli and Emtone, have proven to be more effective and safer alternatives.

What is cellulite?

Up to 90% of women have cellulite and studies show that the majority of women want effective cellulite treatment options. Thankfully in recent years, there have been some new innovative procedures that have become available.

Cellulite Facts

Cellulite most commonly presents as dimples or depressions in the skin, most common on the buttock and thighs of women in their 20’s-50’s. Given that up to 90% of women have been shown to have cellulite, it is important to remember that cellulite is the norm- it does not need to be treated. That being said, studies show that up to 85% of women with cellulite say that it negatively impacts their life, and the majority want an effective option to treat it.

Anatomy of Cellulite

The main cause of cellulite is changes in fibrous bands called septa that tether the skin to structures below. When normal, these bands are necessary and good, keeping the skin smooth and attached to underlying structures. Sometimes these tethers can harden and shrink, pulling down on the skin above and causing dimples. In other instances, these bands degrade and weaken the attachment between the skin and underlying structures causing loose skin that appears rippled or wavy.

How Do Cellulite Treatments Work? The Science Behind Smoother Skin

Cellulite treatments are designed to address the underlying structural changes in the skin and connective tissue that create dimples, ripples, and laxity. While all effective treatments aim to improve the skin’s appearance, they work through different scientific mechanisms:

1. Releasing Fibrous Bands (Subcision):
Treatments like Avéli specifically target the fibrous septa beneath the skin. These bands can become stiff or shrink over time, pulling the skin down and creating dimples. Using a specialized device, your provider can precisely identify and release only the problematic bands—freeing the skin and allowing it to smooth out. This inside-out approach directly addresses the root cause of dimpled cellulite.

2. Energy-Based Therapies (Radiofrequency & Targeted Pressure):
Devices like Emtone use a combination of radiofrequency (RF) and targeted pressure energy (TPE) to heat the deeper layers of skin. This controlled heating stimulates your body to produce new collagen and elastin—key proteins that provide structure and elasticity. The result is firmer, tighter skin with improved texture. Additionally, the energy can help break down small fat deposits and increase local circulation, further smoothing the skin’s surface.

3. Collagen-Stimulating Injections:
Biostimulatory fillers such as hyperdilute Radiesse, Sculptra, PRP, and exosomes are injected just beneath the skin. These treatments don’t simply “fill in” dimples—instead, they trigger your body’s natural collagen production over time. The new collagen strengthens the skin’s support network, leading to long-lasting improvements in firmness and texture, especially for rippled or lax skin.

Why Mechanism Matters:
Choosing the right cellulite treatment depends on the type and severity of your cellulite. Treatments that release fibrous bands are best for distinct dimples, while energy-based devices and collagen-stimulating injections are ideal for smoothing and tightening areas with ripples or laxity. By understanding how each treatment works, you can make a more informed decision and achieve truly personalized results.

How Does Cellulite Treatment Work?

For cellulite dimples caused by thickened and constricted septa, Avéli is the best treatment available. It surpasses previous options like Cellfina and Qwo, becoming the primary choice for long-term cellulite reduction.

Avéli is an FDA-cleared, one-time treatment designed to reduce dimpling on the buttocks and thighs. It precisely targets and releases the fibrous bands (septa) that cause cellulite without affecting the healthy bands that support the skin. The procedure, which takes about an hour, uses local anesthetic for a painless experience and delivers impressive, lasting results by addressing the root structural cause of cellulite.

What to Expect During Cellulite Treatment

An Avéli cellulite treatment session typically takes about an hour. First a local anesthetic is applied to ensure comfort. The Avéli device is then inserted beneath the skin and Dr. Akhavan advances the device towards the fibrous bands causing cellulite. Once the source of the cellulite dimples is confirmed, Dr. Akhavan uses the Avéli device to release the cellulite causing bands. Using the Avéli device he then checks to make sure that the fibrous bands causing the cellulite are gone before concluding the treatment.

What to Expect After Cellulite Treatment

After the procedure, you may experience some mild bruising and swelling in the treated areas, which generally subsides within 1-3 weeks. Patients can return to their normal activities following the procedure, although it’s recommended to avoid strenuous exercise for up to a week if there is discomfort. The results for our patients have typically been permanent, with smoother skin visible within weeks and improving further as the swelling reduces. We have had patients bikini-ready just 2 weeks post treatment. You can see examples of some minor bruising 2 weeks after Avéli in our Before and After gallery.

What is the best cellulite treatment?

What is the cost of cellulite treatment?

How long do cellulite treatment results last?

How many sessions of cellulite treatment will I need?

Why should I come to your clinic for cellulite treatment?

Dr. Arash Akhavan and The Dermatology and Laser Group have been leaders in introducing Avéli Cellulite Treatment to the public and Dr. Akhavan has been featured in the national press discussing the procedure. He was interviewed for Byrdie, where he described the FDA-cleared cellulite treatment in depth. Dr. Akhavan was featured in Marie Claire discussing if Avéli was worth it as a procedure for cellulite removal. You can also find a very thorough question and answer session about Avéli with Dr. Arash Akhavan with Modern Aesthetics magazine.