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NBC's Barbara Morse Silve ReportingGetting rid of unsightly cellulite used to be a process of suctioning and massaging the skin, but the Food and Drug Administration approved a new treatment that may be kinder, gentler and more effective.
Just say no to cellulite. It's been an ongoing battle cry for folks, mostly women, since anyone can remember.
Gretchen Defazio, Undergoing cellulite treatment: "I sit down all day. I work at a desk seven hours a day and you know that it gets to fit into that chair pretty soon."
46 year old Gretchen Defazio and her 20 year old daughter, Nicole do a lot of things together and that includes tackling cellulite.
Gretchen Defazio, Undergoing Cellulite Treatment: "We do yoga, we do the gym, and we walk. You just couldn't get rid of it."
So when they heard about something new, an FDA approved laser that helps reduce the dimpling, they didn't hesitate.
Gretchen Defazio, Undergoing Cellulite Treatment: "We called up, came for a consultation and booked it. Here we are."
Gretchen is in for her tenth session.
Dr. Michael Coppa: "We're trying to reduce the appearance of the cellulite on the back of Gretchen's legs, the smoothing and the toning will help eliminate the dimpling look."
And it's all done with a laser known as triactive. As its name suggests, this laser works three ways.
Dr. Michael Coppa, Laser removal specialist: "The cooling system, the laser system and the massaging."
Gretchen says it's soothing.
Gretchen Defazio: "It's like little fingers massaging you."
Dr. Michael Coppa: "Well the massaging helps with the lymphatic drainage so you're actually pushing it away. The cooling helps with the fluid retention and the laser helps with stimulation of blood vessels and the collagen and the fibers under your skin which helps with the tightening of the skin."
It takes a total of about 16 sessions done twice weekly to achieve the best results. Ten sessions in, Gretchen and Nicole already see a significant difference.
Gretchen Defazio: "My pants feels so great and there's no more bulge between the, above and below the underwear line and running on the treadmill your thighs don't jiggle anymore."