Injectables

Does the QWO Cellulite Treatment Really Work?

We talked to doctors and a patient for their firsthand experience with QWO, the first FDA-approved injectable treatment for cellulite.
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Luis Alvarez

There’s a new product gaining traction in the beauty world because it promises results that, until recently, seemed impossible: It’s called QWO, and it’s the first FDA-approved injectable treatment for cellulite.

For decades cellulite seemed like an inevitable—and largely untreatable—part of life, no matter what topical treatment, diet, or exercise routine is recommended. Most of us will have it on our buttocks and thighs at some point in our lifetime, and no amount of DIY coffee scrubs or drugstore creams can change that. And that's OK! Cellulite is not something that needs to be “fixed.” 

But it's also natural to be curious about your options. And while there are more aggressive treatments available, those often involve invasive surgical intervention and thus a more painful experience. After its approval by the FDA last year, QWO cellulite treatment seems like it could finally change all that.

So for all that hype...does it really work? We spoke with doctors and a patient to hear their firsthand experience.

So what is cellulite—and how does QWO affect it?

“Cellulite results from a combination of three things working together: fat cells, loose skin, and thick fibrous bands,” explains Alexis Parcells, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon in New Jersey who founded the Sunnie skin-care and antiaging clinic as well as Parcells Plastic Surgery. “Over 90% of women report they experience cellulite somewhere on their body over the course of their lifetime.”

According to Dr. Parcells, QWO is an injectable enzyme (collagenase clostridium histolyticum-aaes), or working protein, that breaks down the fibrous bands contributing to cellulite.

“What makes this treatment so innovative compared to various other cellulite treatments is that it’s an injectable solution that targets the fundamental aspect of cellulite that actually causes the dimpling, which is the fibrous septae that lies beneath the skin,” says Dmitriy Schwarzburg, M.D., founder of New York City’s Skinly Aesthetics.

Fibrous septae exert a downward pull on the skin, creating the classic dimpling that is seen in cellulite patients, per Dr. Schwarzburg.

Is QWO cellulite treatment different from other products on the market?

There are other cellulite treatments out there, but QWO is advertised as a better alternative for a number of reasons.

“While there are some other treatments on the market that target the fibrous septae, such as Cellfina and Cellulaze, they do involve surgical intervention, which is invasive and imprecise, requires downtime, and is an overall painful experience,” says Dr. Schwarzburg. “QWO is the only injectable treatment that targets fibrous septae. Because a [tiny] needle can be used, it is nearly painless and does not require any anesthesia or downtime. One QWO session will take no longer than 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish, while others require anesthesia and take anywhere from 40 to 100 minutes per session.”

Dr. Parcells says she used the same injectable medication during her surgical residency to treat Dupuytren’s contracture, which involves fibrous bands in the palm of the hand. The results, she says, helped patients avoid long surgeries and drawn-out postoperative physical therapy.

“Physiologically, it makes sense that these cellulite bands are eaten up by the same enzyme,” she adds. “And now, after seeing it clinically in my own practice, I’m a believer.”

What is the procedure like?

The procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes, and most doctors recommend a client undergo three rounds of QWO, though each case is different and could require some tweaking. Results can be seen for about a year afterward, but Dr. Parcells adds that during the clinical trial many patients saw their results last longer.

Dr. Parcells says she ices the area before injection. Some feel a pinch, while others don’t. “Afterward, you can expect bruising and swelling,” she says. “Some describe an itching sensation. My patients have described soreness after sitting for longer periods of time and when getting from a seated to standing position. Give yourself the downtime you need. Don’t plan to have an injection and hit the beach in the same week. The winter is proving to be the best time to have the treatment done.”

One woman who did the QWO treatment says the process was faster and easier than she’d expected. After her “most troublesome” areas were circled with a marker, the injections lasted for less than 10 minutes, which she found “relatively painless.” The ones lower on her backside, she notes, hurt the most.

“There was no immediate pain after, just a bit of soreness,” the woman adds. “After about 12 to 15 hours, it felt like I had gone through a really intense lower-body workout. It hurt to sit up and down due to soreness and pain. That subsided in about 48 hours.” She adds that the worst side effect was the bruising, which covered her entire buttocks, lasted about two weeks, and was “extremely jarring.”

Ultimately, the patient feels it was worth it: “I was ecstatic. I've been insecure about my cellulite for as long as I can remember. The other options for cellulite treatment are known to be extremely invasive and quite painful, and there isn't really a guaranteed high success rate with treatment. I’ve tried creams and massages, and those temporarily make the condition appear better but [aren’t] long-lasting or super effective.”

She says she noticed results after a single treatment, which both Dr. Parcells and Dr. Schwarzburg say is possible. But talk to your injector to set up a treatment plan that is right for you.

“While the results may be present within one to two weeks, you will likely not be able to see them until the bruising is gone, which should be within three weeks,” Dr. Schwarzburg says. “Results are expected to be seen within one to three sessions, each of which is spaced out by three weeks.”

Are there any downsides to QWO?

Besides receiving dozens of needle pokes, there are negatives associated with this procedure.

“While many women will benefit, this treatment is not for everyone,” Dr. Parcells says. “Anyone with known bleeding abnormalities should speak with their M.D. prior to injection. Avoid supplements that increase your risk of bleeding, because this may worsen your bruising. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should wait until their family is complete.”

Dr. Parcells is very clear that “compliance is key here.” Attend your scheduled appointments, be realistic about your timeline and bruising, and don’t expect to be one of the patients who magically sees dramatic improvement after one session.

QWO’s website also advises that potential patients should not get the treatment if they are allergic to any collagenase or ingredients in the injections, or if they have an active infection in the treatment area. It can cause serious side effects like allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

Before you make a decision, consult with your doctor about whether this treatment is right for you. And if you’re sold on the treatment, don’t forget to consider the cost. One round of treatment costs about $1,000, depending on where you go, and don’t forget that full results often require three rounds.

Lindsey Ellefson is a New York City–based writer and reporter.