Nine out of 10 women will develop cellulite in their lifetime. But despite it being so common, most are bothered by this cosmetic problem. The biggest challenge with cellulite is that it does not always go away with weight loss, exercise and healthy eating. That’s because cellulite is caused by things that are not under our personal control: thinning of the skin, enlarging of fat cells and thickening of fibrous bands that connect skin and muscle.

Luckily, there are ways to minimize cellulite by targeting its underlying causes, and one way is with QWO®.

QWO® is the world’s first and only FDA-approved injectable for moderate to severe cellulite in the buttocks of adult women. We are proud to announce that QWO® is now available at the Anti-Aging Clinic of Northwest Florida. If you're interested in trying QWO® injections in Panama City Beach, FL, and would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Timothy Ramsden, please call us at (850) 238-8563 or reach out via our contact page.

What Is QWO®?

QWO® is a prescription medicine containing Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum (CCH) developed by Endo International. The FDA has recently approved this medicine to treat cellulite in the buttocks of adult women. It is the world’s FIRST and ONLY FDA-approved injectable for the treatment of cellulite and is a game-changer in cellulite treatment. 

The active ingredient (CCH) in QWO® is an enzyme that breaks down collagen. Fibrous septae, which are collagen bands connecting the skin to the muscles, are responsible for the appearance of cellulite. QWO® is believed to work in three ways:

  • By releasing fibrous septae
  • By redistributing fat cells
  • By stimulating the production of new collagen

The end result is smoother, more youthful skin with less dimpling. Visible results are achieved after only three treatments spaced 21 days apart, or in about 10 weeks. Each treatment takes only 10 minutes to complete. The results are considered permanent, although you may need to repeat treatment to maintain results.

Benefits of QWO® Injections

QWO® is a one-of-a-kind treatment for cellulite. While there are countless cellulite treatments out there, not all are as effective and safe as QWO®. The main benefits of choosing QWO® in Panama City Beach, FL are:

Quick and minimally invasive. A single session takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and most patients need three sessions about 21 days apart. Compared to more invasive procedures, QWO® does not require anesthesia, incisions, catheters and other techniques that come with health risks.

FDA-approved with clinically verified efficiency. The FDA approved QWO® as a treatment for cellulite in the buttocks of adult women. It has been proven effective in clinical trials with over 1,800 women. It is not yet approved for the treatment of cellulite in men and other parts of the body.

Works on moderate to severe cellulite. Some minimally invasive procedures can treat mild cases of cellulite, but not many are as effective for moderate and severe cases. QWO® can produce some results in women with severe dimpling, although patients with grade 3 cellulite may require a combination of different treatments.

Little downtime needed. In clinical trials, women receiving QWO® did not require downtime. You may experience mild to moderate bruising, however, that can last one to two weeks. Some patients also report mild soreness in the treatment area, which they were able to alleviate with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Long-lasting results. The benefits of this treatment are considered permanent, but you may develop new dimples over time, requiring repeat injections. Most QWO® patients can expect to enjoy their results for months to years.

This treatment is relatively new, but seems to be safe for most healthy patients and can be combined with other procedures to maximize outcomes.

Getting Ready for a QWO® Treatment

When speaking to one of our providers about your candidacy for QWO®, make sure to tell them if you are pregnant or nursing or if you have bleeding problems or diabetes. We may ask you about any medications and/or supplements you are taking. Knowing your medical history helps us minimize any potential side effects and ensure this is an appropriate treatment for you. 

Before your procedure, we may ask you to stop taking blood-thinning drugs and supplements. This is to help minimize bruising at the injection site. We also suggest wearing comfortable and loose-fitting bottoms to your appointment and preferably thong underwear. We may provide you with a robe and thong-type underwear if needed. 

Plan to spend about half an hour in our office for this treatment. While the actual procedure takes 10 minutes or less, additional time may be needed for assessment and speaking to you about any concerns you may have. 

The QWO® Procedure

We will ask you to undress from the waist down and provide you with a robe. We may also take photos of your buttocks for before and after comparison. You will then be asked to lie facedown on a padded table.

Your provider will disinfect your skin, mark areas that need treatment and inject the QWO® solution beneath each dimple. You should feel minimal pain during this treatment since the needles used to administer QWO® are very thin and the injections are made at low depths. However, you may feel mild burning from the medication.

After about 10 minutes of injecting each dimple, your provider may place bandages on the injection sites to stop any minor bleeding. We will schedule your next appointment and provide you with aftercare instructions.

AM I A GOOD QWO® CANDIDATE?

If you are relatively healthy and have buttocks cellulite, you are probably a good candidate for this treatment. We will assess your buttocks to see if you have real cellulite or skin laxity, which is a different issue that requires a different treatment. 

Patients also need to understand the limitations of this treatment to be a candidate. While QWO® can reduce the appearance of cellulite, it usually won’t remove cellulite completely. The procedure needs to be repeated several times before you can see the final results. Patients with severe cellulite may benefit from a combination of QWO® with other treatments. 

Experience the Beauty of QWO® in Panama City Beach, FL

​​If you are interested in starting a cellulite treatment plan or would like to learn more about how QWO® can help you, use our online contact form to schedule a consultation with the Anti-Aging Clinic of Northwest Florida today. Our team looks forward to helping you meet and maintain your beauty goals.