Avéli Cellulite Treatment
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Marin, San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa

If you are struggling with frustrating cellulite dimples on your buttocks and thighs, Avéli Cellulite Treatment (Avéli™) is an effective, minimally invasive, and FDA-cleared way to achieve smoother, firmer skin.
Contents
Why Patients Love This Treatment
- Minimally invasive
- One-time procedure with long-lasting results
- Results are typically visible immediately
- Only requires local anesthesia
- Minimal downtime
How Avéli Works
Avéli uses a small, slender device that is inserted below the skin to cut the connective tissue (fibrous septa) that tethers the skin and causes indentations. (1)
- Your specialist will mark the specific areas and dimples to target, creating a treatment map.
- After injecting anesthesia, he will make small incisions and insert the device just below the skin.
- He will guide the device through the fibrous bands (septa) to release them.
- After addressing the area, Dr. Hvistendahl will remove the device carefully and apply any necessary dressings.
Schedule Your Consultation
Ready to achieve smoother skin? Schedule a personal consultation online or call Plastic Surgery Specialty Group & MedSpa at (415) 925-2880 to learn more!
About Avéli Cellulite Treatment

Cellulite in the buttocks and thighs forms when subcutaneous fat pushes through weakening connective tissue beneath the skin and creates a dimpled appearance. Several factors influence cellulite, including genetics, hormonal shifts, aging, and even reduced circulation in the body. Women are more prone to developing cellulite than men, with 80-90% of post-pubescent women across all races and ethnicities experiencing the condition. (1)
The Avéli Cellulite Treatment offers long-lasting and immediately visible results by releasing the tension in fibrous tissues. The Avéli device has a deployable hook that targets the bands beneath the skin, then cuts through the tight fibrous bands that connect the skin to the underlying tissue. After releasing the bands, the skin appears smoother and flatter. (2)
Benefits
Avéli offers many benefits, including:
- High patient satisfaction: 90-93% of patients are satisfied with their results after one year.
- Precise Treatment: Avéli treatment targets the unwanted cellulite that often occurs in the buttocks and thigh areas.
- Long-lasting results: After just one treatment, results are visible immediately and last long.
- Smoother complexion: Shortly after the procedure, your skin will look smoother and feel firmer.
- Minimal downtime: Avéli is a minimally invasive treatment, and patients do not have to face a lengthy recovery.
Who is a Good Candidate?
The ideal candidate for this treatment is someone who is a non-smoker, maintains a stable weight, and is in good health. This treatment is more effective for adults over the age of 25, since the procedure works best on mature skin with good elasticity. Good skin elasticity is important because the skin needs to rebound after cutting the fibrous septa.
If you are looking for an effective way to address your cellulite in a minimally invasive way, this treatment is ideal for you. (2)
Personal Consultation
The first step in your transformation is to schedule your personal consultation. During this appointment, we will:
- Review your medical history
- Examine the skin on your thighs and buttocks
- Ask you about your goals and ideal results
- Create a personalized treatment plan
We will explain the Avéli process in detail, allowing you to gain a full understanding of your upcoming procedure.
To take the next step in your skin transformation, please call our office at (415) 925-2880 or contact us online.
Preparation
After your consultation and when your procedure date is approaching, you will need to follow certain key guidelines to prepare for treatment. To ensure a successful surgical process, you must:
- Stop taking blood-thinning medications or supplements
- Stay hydrated
- Completely cease nicotine use
- Avoid alcohol consumption
- Avoid excess sun exposure
- Wear loose-fitting clothing to your appointment
- Arrange transportation home
If you have any questions or concerns about your procedure, our team can provide clear instructions and help guide you through this process. Following these steps will ensure a smoother procedure and a faster recovery.
Recovery and Results

After treatment, you can expect to see results almost immediately, but the full, refined results will appear after your recovery:
1-2 Days
Dr. Hvistendahl recommends that you take things easy during this initial phase, but returning to most normal activities after a day or two is typically safe. You may also experience mild discomfort with leaking from the insertion points 24-48 hours after the procedure, which is normal. A cold compress can alleviate discomfort.
2 Weeks
Dr. Hvistendahl recommends loose-fitting clothing for the next 14 days after treatment to help reduce bruising and swelling. After this period, you can begin to resume light physical activity. You may experience mild pain and numbness in the treatment area, but swelling and bruising should resolve, allowing you to notice smoother skin. Within 30 days, most of the bruising and swelling will diminish, and you should see further reduction of cellulite in the buttocks and thigh areas.
After 1-3 Months
After 90 days, you will meet with Dr. Hvistendahl for a follow-up where he will examine your results and assess your recovery progress. During this period, any residual swelling will fade significantly, and your final results will begin to appear.
Providing long-lasting results, Avéli elicits high patient satisfaction rates, even one year after treatment. (3)
Corresponding Procedures
Some patients combine the Avéli Cellulite Treatment with other procedures for a comprehensive transformation. Many patients will pair Avéli with body contouring and fat reduction procedures like CoolSculpting, radiofrequency treatments, and Sculptra, which can effectively complement cellulite reduction.
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is a non-surgical treatment that targets fat cells and eliminates them through a process called cryolipolysis. After the technology ‘freezes’ the targeted fat cells, your lymphatic system can eliminate them gradually, thus slimming the treated areas. This procedure is ideal for patients who want to reduce fat in certain areas of their body, such as the stomach, thighs, flanks, and more. CoolSculpting is effective for slimming contours, while Avéli delivers a refined surface.
Renuvion
Renuvion is a radiofrequency procedure that uses radiofrequency energy and helium plasma to target and tighten the subdermal layers of the skin. Dr. Hvistendahl performs this treatment with a probe that is inserted under the skin and releases helium plasma and radiofrequency energy to contract the tissues. Combining this procedure with Avéli addresses the root cause of skin dimpling, offering a minimally invasive way to improve cellulite dimples, tighten loose skin, and improve overall curves.
Emsculpt
Emsculpt is a non-invasive body sculpting procedure that utilizes High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Energy (HIFEM) that induces muscle contractions, initiating toning and fat burning. Dr. Hvistendahl performs this procedure with the Emsculpt Neo device to enhance fat reduction and skin tightening. Patients who desire toned muscles, tighter skin, and reduced belly fat benefit greatly from this procedure. When combining this with Avéli, patients will see a significant reduction in cellulite dimples as well.
Cost of Avéli Cellulite Treatment in Marin County
The cost of your Avéli Cellulite Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the cellulite, the size of the treatment area, whether you include any other procedures, and more. During your consultation, Dr. Hvistendahl and the PSSG team will outline all necessary fees and provide a clear, comprehensive cost estimate. PSSG offers financing options for qualifying patients, and we will walk you through your choices to help you achieve your results without financial stress.
To learn more about the cost of your Avéli treatment, please call our office at (415) 925-2880 or contact us online.
FAQ
How much does Avéli Cellulite Treatment cost?
Prices vary depending on your personal goals, the severity of your cellulite, the size of the treatment area, and more.
How do I know if Avéli is right for me?
If you are experiencing cellulite dimples in your buttocks and thigh areas with a minimally invasive method, this procedure is ideal for you.
How soon will I be able to see results from Avéli?
Some results may be visible immediately. Your results will become fully visible within 1-4 weeks, and after the initial swelling and bruising fade, the long-term results will appear.
Will I need multiple Avéli treatments to see results?
Patients usually see impressive results after undergoing just one Avéli procedure. However, cellulite is a chronic condition, meaning there is no permanent cure, and the condition can recur. Many patients pair their treatment with others, such as body contouring and fat reduction procedures, to optimize their results.
What will my Avéli recovery look like after the procedure?
The recovery is quick. Patients can return to normal activities within 24-48 hours. However, you may experience mild bruising, swelling, and tenderness.
References
- Stevens WG, Green JB, Layt C, et al. Multicenter Pivotal Study Demonstrates Safety and Efficacy of a New Cellulite Procedure: Final Results at 12 Months. Aesthetic surgery journal. 2023;43(4):455-466. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjac291
- mayo clinic. Cellulite – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Published 2018. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulite/symptoms-causes/syc-20354945
- Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. SpringerLink. Published 2025. Accessed February 10, 2026. https://link.springer.com/









