What is Cellulaze treatment?

Cellulaze uses technology first described in clinical research published in 2011, with the device brought to market shortly afterwards. It is a minimally invasive laser treatment used to treat cellulite. It targets the structural causes of cellulite beneath your skin rather than only treating the skin’s surface.

Cellulite forms when fat cells push upwards while fibrous bands and connective tissue pull downwards. This creates the dimpled or “cottage cheese” appearance of cellulite. It is more common in women due to fat distribution, and genetics can influence the development of cellulite.

Cellulaze treatment uses laser energy beneath the skin to release tight fibrous bands, treat small fat pockets and stimulate collagen production. The aim is to improve the appearance of cellulite, support firmer skin and improve skin elasticity over time. As collagen production develops during the healing process, the treatment may also affect skin thickness.

This makes Cellulaze different from topical creams or other cellulite treatments that only work on the surface. Because the laser fibre is passed beneath the skin, safe technique and proper aftercare are important.

Cellulaze results are often described as long-lasting, although while results are permanent they may worsen with age.

Aesthetic Surgery Journal studies have assessed minimally invasive laser treatment using a 1440 nm Nd laser and side firing fiber for the treatment of cellulite. Research published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal reported maintained improvement at one year follow up in a multicenter study. Read more about the Aesthetic Surgery Journal study on 1440 nm Nd laser treatment for cellulite.

How does Cellulaze work beneath the skin?

Cellulaze is often described as a single treatment. The procedure is usually carried out under local anaesthetic or local anaesthesia to reduce pain in the treatment area.

The practitioner makes small incision points or tiny incisions so the laser fibre can be inserted beneath the skin. The laser with side firing technology is then used to target the underlying tissue involved in cellulite formation.

The treatment releases fibrous bands, may help reduce small fat pockets and stimulates collagen production. Collagen stimulation can support skin tightening and firmer skin as the body heals.

The results are not immediate. Many patients are told that changes in cellulite appearance may develop over several months as collagen production continues and the treated areas settle.

Is numbness normal after Cellulaze?

Some temporary numbness can be normal after Cellulaze, especially in the first few weeks. Local anaesthetic, swelling, bruising and tissue disturbance can all affect sensation.

Mild discomfort, numbness, tingling or sensitivity may improve as swelling reduces. Most patients should expect symptoms to gradually settle rather than become worse.

Numbness should be reviewed if it continues beyond the expected recovery period, spreads, becomes painful or is linked to Cellulaze skin damage. The NHS explains that pins and needles can feel like pricking, tingling or numbness, and ongoing symptoms may need medical advice.

When could numbness suggest nerve damage?

Numbness may suggest nerve irritation or nerve damage when it is persistent, painful or does not follow the expected healing pattern.

The concern is stronger if altered sensation is linked to burning pain, shooting pain, hypersensitivity or loss of feeling in the treated areas.

Potential warning signs include:

The NHS explains that peripheral neuropathy can involve numbness, tingling, pain and loss of sensation where nerves are affected. NHS peripheral neuropathy guidance.

These symptoms do not prove negligence by themselves. They do mean the patient should seek medical advice and keep clear records.

What can Cellulaze nerve damage feel like?

Cellulaze nerve damage may feel different from normal post-treatment tenderness. Some patients describe a numb patch that does not change. Others experience burning, stabbing, tingling or shooting pain.

The area may feel unusually sensitive to clothing or pressure. In other cases, the skin may feel dull, heavy or less responsive to touch.

Nerve symptoms can affect daily life. Sitting, walking, exercising or wearing fitted clothing may become uncomfortable. Persistent symptoms can also affect confidence, sleep and mental wellbeing.

A medical professional may need to assess whether the symptoms are temporary nerve irritation, longer-term nerve injury, Cellulaze complications or another issue.

Can Cellulaze cause skin damage?

Cellulaze can cause skin damage if laser energy, heat or technique affects the skin or surrounding tissue incorrectly. Potential Cellulaze skin damage may include burns, blisters, delayed healing, pigmentation changes, scarring or infection.

Skin damage can also increase the risk of altered sensation. If deeper tissue is burned, scarred or injured, nearby nerves may become irritated or damaged.

The NHS advises cooling a burn under cool running water for 20 minutes as soon as possible after the injury. It also explains when medical help may be needed for burns and scalds. 

Patients should not ignore blistering, darkened skin, open wounds, discharge, worsening pain or heat around the affected area.

What duty of care does a Cellulaze practitioner owe?

A Cellulaze practitioner owes a duty of care before, during and after treatment.

• Before treatment, they should assess suitability, explain potential risks, discuss realistic outcomes, outline alternatives and obtain informed consent. This should include discussing altered sensation, scarring, cellulaze complications and skin damage.
• During treatment, they should use appropriate technique, use safe settings and monitor the patient’s response.
• After treatment, they should provide clear aftercare advice, explain warning signs and review symptoms if the patient reports numbness, pain, burns, infection or delayed healing.

The Care Quality Commission provides guidance on choosing cosmetic surgery and encourages patients to understand who is providing care, where treatment is taking place and how services are regulated.

What should happen before Cellulaze treatment?

Before Cellulaze treatment, the practitioner should assess whether the procedure is suitable. This should include asking about medical history, medication, previous procedures, skin type, healing problems and any medical reasons why treatment may be unsafe.

The practitioner should also explain how the Cellulaze procedure works, what it can and cannot achieve, what potential risks apply and what aftercare is needed.

Cellulaze may be marketed as an effective treatment or breakthrough procedure for cellulite, but it should not be presented as a guaranteed way to eliminate cellulite. The patient should be given realistic information about cellulite appearance, possible results and recovery.

The GMC says doctors carrying out cosmetic interventions should seek consent themselves and give patients enough time and information before deciding whether to proceed. Read the GMC cosmetic interventions guidance.

What Cellulaze complications should patients know about?

Cellulaze complications can include swelling, bruising, mild discomfort, numbness, fluid leakage from incision sites, infection, burns, contour irregularity, scarring and pigmentation changes.

Pain and discomfort typically last a few days to a week. Numbness typically resolves on its own within a few weeks to three months as the tissue heals. Swelling and fluid accumulation after a procedure can put pressure on surrounding tissues and nerves, which may explain why some patients notice altered sensation during recovery.

Small scars may form at incision sites. Patients should be told what scarring is expected and what changes could suggest that the skin has not healed properly.

A complication alone does not mean the treatment was negligent. Every cosmetic procedure carries potential risks, even when carried out with care.

However, the patient should be given enough information before treatment to make an informed decision. The NHS advises people to ask what can go wrong, what aftercare is available and what to do if they are unhappy with the result before having a cosmetic procedure. Find out more from the NHS cosmetic procedure guidance.

When should you seek medical advice?

You should seek medical advice if numbness is severe, persistent, worsening or linked to other concerning symptoms.

Contact your clinic or a medical professional if you notice:

• Increasing pain
• Burning or shooting sensations
• Numbness that is not improving
• Spreading redness
• Heat around the treated area
• Discharge or pus
• Fever
• Open wounds
• Blistering
• Darkened or pale skin
• Symptoms affecting movement or daily activities

If symptoms feel serious, or the clinic cannot be reached, contact your GP, NHS 111 or emergency services depending on severity.

It can help to write down when symptoms started, how they have changed and whether they are affecting work, sleep, exercise or daily tasks.

When is Cellulaze numbness a sign of negligence?

Numbness after Cellulaze is not automatically negligence. Temporary altered sensation can be part of recovery, especially after a minimally invasive treatment that works beneath the skin.

Negligence may be considered where the practitioner failed to meet the expected standard of care and this caused avoidable harm.

This may include:

• Poor suitability assessment
• Failure to explain nerve or skin risks
• Failure to obtain informed consent
• Poor technique
• Excessive laser energy
• Treating the wrong depth or area
• Failing to monitor the patient during treatment
• Continuing despite unusual pain or visible skin changes
• Poor aftercare advice
• Failure to escalate complications

The key issue is whether the injury was a recognised risk that occurred despite reasonable care, or whether it was caused by preventable treatment failures.

How could poor technique cause preventable damage?

Poor technique can increase the risk of Cellulaze nerve damage because the treatment works close to underlying tissue. If the laser fibre is placed too deeply, used in the wrong area or applied with excessive laser energy, tissue that should have been protected may be harmed.

Preventable damage may also occur if the practitioner fails to account for the patient’s anatomy, ignores severe pain, fails to monitor the skin or continues treatment despite signs of damage.

Cellulaze targets connective tissue, fibrous bands, fat cells and the overlying skin. This is why technique matters. The aim is to address cellulite, not to damage surrounding tissue.

Where persistent numbness, pain or Cellulaze skin damage follows treatment, independent medical evidence may be needed to assess whether the injury was avoidable.

What evidence can support a Cellulaze compensation claim?

Evidence is important in any Cellulaze compensation claim. It helps show what happened, what symptoms developed and how the injury affected the patient.

Useful evidence may include:

• Dated photographs of the treated areas
• Clinic records
• Consent forms
• Treatment notes
• Aftercare instructions
• Messages with the clinic
• GP or hospital records
• Prescriptions
• A written symptom timeline
• Details of numbness, tingling or pain
• Evidence of time off work
• Receipts for corrective treatment or consultations
• Independent medical evidence

Photos can be especially useful where there are burns, scars, pigmentation changes, swelling or visible Cellulaze skin damage.

A symptom diary can also help show whether numbness improved, stayed the same or became worse over time.

Can you claim compensation for Cellulaze nerve damage?

You may be able to claim compensation if negligent Cellulaze treatment caused avoidable nerve damage, skin damage or another injury.

Compensation may account for pain, numbness, tingling, scarring, burns, corrective treatment, lost earnings, travel costs and the psychological impact of the injury.

A successful claim usually needs medical evidence showing that the treatment fell below the expected standard and caused avoidable harm.

You can read more about cellulite treatment compensation claims, including claims linked to poor cellulite treatment, burns, scarring and other avoidable harm.

What other treatment injuries can be similar?

Cellulaze nerve damage and Cellulaze skin damage can overlap with injuries from other energy-based skin treatments. These can include laser burns, skin resurfacing injuries, pigmentation changes, scarring and infection.

If your symptoms followed another cosmetic laser procedure, our pages on laser surgery compensation claims, laser skin resurfacing compensation claims and laser hair removal compensation claims may also be useful.

How Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors can help

Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors specialises in cosmetic treatment negligence claims. We can help investigate whether your symptoms were part of a recognised complication or whether they were caused by negligent Cellulaze treatment.

Our team can review your records, gather evidence and arrange independent medical evidence where appropriate. We can also deal with the clinic, insurer or their solicitors on your behalf.

We handle many cases on a no win, no fee basis. Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors achieves an approximate 95% success rate in cases pursued after obtaining supportive medical evidence.