All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors.
However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through links in this article.
I could start by saying I havecellulite,or I could simply say I am a woman.
Courtesy of Beth Shapouri
Im a little annoyed with myself that I care at all.
It feels like a failing as a feminist that I cant embrace a perfectly benign human experience.
We get flack both for havingcelluliteand for wanting to do something about it.
The Avéli device (above) has a blade that pops out and then snaps inward, cutting septa as it retracts
If theres no winning, I might as well be honest with myself: Id love to be cellulite-free.
Yes, I want to fight the patriarchy; I also want smootherlegs.
And that makes sense as cellulite treatments in general have historically been underwhelming.
Shapouri’s thigh before Avéli. “Dr. Shafer assured me I was a good candidate because I had moderate cellulite with dimpling on my butt and the backs and sides of my thighs,” she says. Courtesy of Beth Shapouri
Only FDA-approvedproducts and treatments have been rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness.)
Or perhaps myhoneymoon/one-year anniversary trip to the Greek islands coming up in the spring had swimsuits on my mind.
Or maybe my journalist’s heart just wanted to see Aveli in action.
Shapouri’s thigh after Avéli. “I’m happy with the results, which I suspect is partially because my expectations were properly managed,” she says. Courtesy of Beth Shapouri
Likely because of all three, I decided to give it a try.
Never one to gatekeep, Im here to tell you all about it two months post-treatment.
What is Aveli?
The blade pops out into a hook shape and then snaps inward, cutting septa as it retracts.
The process, done under local anesthesia, takes about an hour and requires just one treatment.
That, in theory, means it gives better results with less bruising than other options before it.
(He has a financial interest in the maker, Revelle Aesthetics).
(She used to offerCellfinaandQwo.)
And Dr. Stevens calls the results spectacular and says using it, I get happier every day.
However, some doctors would like to see more evidence before going forward.
And since Im in my 40s, my skin is still prettyelastic.
Shapouri’s thigh before Aveli.
Courtesy of Beth Shapouri
What results can you expect from Aveli?
The pain rating of Aveli also seemed up my alley.
There is also a risk of some scarring around the incision sites.
(I cant see any scars around my incision sites.)
But with deeper, more pockmark-like divots, you may see a lessening versus complete elimination.
Shapouri’s thigh after Aveli.
Courtesy of Beth Shapouri
How much does Aveli cost?
What is the Aveli procedure like?
Then the procedure started, which consisted of slipping the rig under my skin with a 2mm incision.
As promised, the entire process, start to finish, took about an hour.
But it wasnt so bad that I couldnt distract myself.
Whats recovery like?
Lets start with thepain factor.
For the first three days after the procedure, I was pretty tender.
Sitting wasnt uncomfortable, but lying on my back was a challenge.
Luckily, I was able to fall asleep on my stomach.
The incisions healed within days.
That puffed up and bruised terribly like I had slid into home base.
The discoloration lingered for a while past the tenderness, which was gone after about 14 days.
I started taking arnica pills, whichsome research suggestsmay help relieve bruising and post-bruise skin staining.
A quick-but-traumatizing Google search of those cases made mine look mild in comparison.)
Was Aveli worth it?
Im not ready to leave beauty writing behind to become a swimsuitmodel, but that wasnt my goal.
The amount of dimpling you start out with is definitely a consideration.
(I didn’t pay for the procedure.)
If both my thighs had milder puckering, though, that number would feel high for me.
If I were seeking perfection, perhaps I would go for it, but I am stopping here.
Greek islands, Im coming for you.
Read more aesthetic cosmetic news:
Now, watch Shannon Ray’s experience getting a seaweed body wrap:
