“I have performed more than 14,000 RF/cavitation sessions for cellulite removal, some of them with pure RF, some with pure cavitation and a lot with a mix of the the two, in different proportions. There are at least 10 factors to take into account to decide what is best for each individual. So, as a client, instead of obsessing about which technique is more effective (they can both be), the best thing to do is do your due diligence to find the best therapist / clinic in your area and then they can decide what is best for your specific case.”
RF vs cavitation for cellulite: the pros and cons of each technology
Cavitation vs RF for cellulite | In summary
Cavitation and radiofrequency: the most effective cellulite reduction technologies
So what is better between the two: RF or cavitation?
How ultrasound cavitation works
How radiofrequency works
What is more appropriate for different problems?
If I could only choose one, what would I choose for skin tightening or cellulite?
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Cavitation vs RF for cellulite | In summary
High-power, deep-acting radiofrequency (RF) and ultrasound cavitation are the only two non-invasive technologies proven to be both safe and effective for cellulite reduction. Other methods, such as low-intensity HIFU, acoustic wave therapy, tripolar RF, or extreme-intensity treatments requiring anaesthesia, are either ineffective or unsafe. The choice between RF and cavitation depends on individual factors including skin laxity, fat distribution, cellulite type, body composition, and personal tolerance.
Ultrasound cavitation works by delivering mechanical vibrations that disrupt fat cells and produce heat, leading to fat release, cell death, improved circulation, limited collagen production, and some fibrotic breakdown. Its effectiveness depends on the machine's power (up to 75W) and penetration depth (effective penetration up to 25mm).
RF, on the other hand, uses intensive heat to stimulate fat loss, collagen production, collagen contraction, circulation, and lymphatic drainage, though it lacks the ability to break down fibrosis. High-power RF devices can reach 300W and penetrate up to 25mm deep.
For skin tightening, RF is preferred. For cellulite, either RF or cavitation is suitable—provided it’s a high-power, deep-acting system handled by a skilled therapist. Ultimately, choosing the right clinic and practitioner is just as important as selecting the right technology.
Ultrasonic cavitation and radio frequency: the most effective cellulite reduction technologies
There are only two technologies that really work for cellulite and are SAFE at the same time:
Deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency
Deep-acting, high-power ultrasound cavitation
Experience with thousands of clients has shown that anything else just doesn’t work, including:
The safe but ineffective gimmicks of low-intensity HIFU, acoustic wave therapy (AWT) or tripolar RF
As well as the extreme intensity, unsafe techniques that need anaesthetic cream or injections to be administered: extreme intensity HIFU, microneedling radiofrequency or extreme intensity RF
Low-power or superficially acting RF
Low-power or superficially acting cavitation
According to our experience and research, literally only high-power, deep-acting RF and ultrasound work well AND are safe.
So what is better between the two: RF or cavitation?
That depends on each individual case. Sorry that I cannot be more specific, but it is what it is: it all depends on each specific case.
So let’s see how each technology works and in which cases it works best.
How ultrasound cavitation works
Deep-acting high-power ultrasound cavitation works by disrupting fat cells mechanically (ultrasound is sound, i.e. mechanical waves), as well as via heat (continuous mechanical vibration produces heat).
This stimulates:
Lipolysis (fat release from fat cells)
Adipocyte apoptosis (accelerated fat cell death)
Increased blood circulation and lymphatic drainage
Some breakdown of fibrosis (which RF doesn’t do)
A conditional stimulation of collagen synthesis (which RF does much better)
Ultrasound machines are available at powers all the way from the a wholly inadequate 10 Watts (or even less) to a maximum of 75 Watts.
Ultrasound can also be very superficial (1-2mm deep) to very deep (25mm deep).
How radiofrequency works
Deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency works solely by intensive deep heat, which stimulates:
Lipolysis and adipocyte apoptosis
Collagen synthesis (which ultrasound normally doesn’t)
Existing collagen contraction (which ultrasound normally doesn’t)
Blood circulation and lymphatic drainage (normally more than ultrasound)
Radiofrequency equipment are available at powers all the way from an inadequate 50 Watts (or even less) to 300 Watts.
Similarly to ultrasound cavitation, RF can be very superficial (1-2mm deep) to very deep (25mm deep).
What is more appropriate for different problems?
So depending on the person’s:
Skin laxity
Subcutaneous fat accumulation
Type of cellulite (soft, hard, fibrotic, oedematous, superficial, deep etc)
Weight and height
Treatment tolerance to each treatment
Type of tissues to be treated
Area size to be treated
Frequency of treatments
Other factors
…either:
deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency
deep acting, high-power ultrasound cavitation
the combination of both
…is more effective.
At the clinic we personalise treatment according to the above options.
If I could only choose one, what would I choose for skin tightening or cellulite?
As a client:
If I had to choose between the two technologies FOR SKIN TIGHTENING, I would, of course, choose radiofrequency
If I had to choose between the two technologies FOR CELLULITE, I would choose either. Specifically, I would choose whichever was deep-acting and high-power and was provided by a knowledgeable therapist who knows what they’re doing.
And if I had to choose a technology for BOTH cellulite AND skin tightening, I would also go for either option, as long as it is a high-power, deep-acting technology plus a knowledgeable therapist. This is because in the wrong hands even the best and safest technology can be ineffective and/or unsafe.
This the best advice I could possibly give: assess the therapist AND the technology, not just the technology.
This practically requires you to do your due diligence before starting a course of treatments:
Do some preliminary research on the technologies offered in your area
Have consultations at the 2-3 best clinics/salons in your area
And then use your common sense to decide which is the most knowledgeable and professional
Learn more about RF and cavitation here
Learn how to choose a clinic/treatment here
Have a treatment in London with the cellulite experts
At LipoTherapeia we have specialised 100% in skin tightening and cellulite reduction for more than two decades and 20,000+ sessions.
This is all we study and practise every day and have researched and tried hands-on all the important skin tightening equipment and their manufacturers.
As strong, deep acting radiofrequency and deep-acting, high-power ultrasound cavitation are the technologies of choice for skin tightening and cellulite reduction, we have invested in the best RF/ultrasound technologies in the world.
(Of course, we keep looking for new technologies every day and if/when a better technology materialises we will be the first to provide it. However, we will never follow the latest ineffective gimmick, just because it’s good marketing to offer the latest hyped up - yet ineffective and/or unsafe treatment.)
Furthermore, over the last two decades we have developed advanced RF and cavitation treatment protocols in order to make the most of our technologies, for maximum results, naturally and safely.
And for even better, faster results, we now combine our RF/ultrasound treatments with high-power red/infrared light LED treatment.
Our radiofrequency/ultrasound/LED treatments are comfortable, pain-free, downtime-free, injection-free, 99.5%+ safe and always non-invasive.
(No unsafe and ineffective RF microneedling or HIFU and no safe but ineffective acoustic wave therapy, superficial RF (bipolar/tripolar/multipolar etc), low power RF/cavitation, electrical muscle stimulation, lymphatic massage, cupping, dry brushing and no ridiculous bum bum creams.)
Our focus is on honest, realistic, science-based treatment, combined with caring, professional service, with a smile.
We will be pleased to see you, assess your cellulite, skin laxity or fibrosis, listen to your story, discuss your case and offer you the best possible treatment.
The Cellulite School™: Get advanced training in cellulite reduction and skin tightening
Why train with The Cellulite School™?
We all know that training in cellulite reduction and skin tightening is as basic as it gets. It is typically a 4-6 hour training, involving only basic instruction from the manufacturer on how operators can use the machine; lots of myths, erroneous information and misconceptions; and some basic health and safety on how to use the machine.
There is no proper, real training in the science or cellulite, skin tightening, radiofrequency, ultrasound and all related technologies is non-existent - worldwide.
Do you want to deeply understand radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, LED phototherapy, cellulite and skin tightening?
Get proper training based on 25-year theory and practical application of cellulite reduction and valuable insights from 24,000+ sessions and 4,200+ clients.
Now you can get instant access to our expertise and save yourself literally thousands of pounds, dollars or euros of expensive mistakes and thousands of hours of study, research and practical application by attending one of our half-day, 1-day, 2-day or 3-day professional consultancy / training courses.
Deeply understand and get properly trained in the science of radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, LED phototherapy, cellulite and skin tightening and confidently offer your clients the safest, strongest and most effective treatment possible.
Service available via Zoom or at our central London practice.
Learn more or check prices and book training at our London clinic or via Zoom.