ONDA® Body Contouring

Onda® is the first device of its kind to utilise an energy source that can simultaneously target fat, cellulite and lax skin. Microwaves have been used in medicine for a long time, in fact we have been using them here in the clinic for years to treat sweat glands.

The difference with the microwaves used in the Onda® device are their frequency: at 2.45GHz the skin is almost “transparent”, allowing the easy passage of energy which is then specifically concentrated in the sub-dermal fat layer. In this way, the upper layers of the skin are protected from unwanted heating and actually stay comfortably cool. For this reason, the microwaves Onda® works with, are called Coolwaves™.

Once the energy waves reach the fat cells, they produce painless but irreversible damage to the cell membranes. This causes leakage of fat from the cells into the interstitial space, where both the fat and the debris from the damaged membranes are cleaned up by the body’s inflammatory healing cells and taken away via the lymphatic system.

Resistance of the skin to Coolwaves™ is at least 3.5 times lower than for the commonly-used radiofrequency (RF) fat reduction and skin tightening devices currently used in aesthetic medicine. That means that most of the RF energy gets stuck in the epidermis and dermis, heating up the skin to such an extent that there can be a risk of tissue damage. As the RF energy remains close to the surface, the majority of it fails to reach the fat layer below the skin.

Compared to Radiofrequency devices, Onda® is able to deliver the majority of the Coolwaves™ directly through the skin into the layer where the fat cells are located. Since this energy device delivers a more effective treatment, fewer treatment sessions are needed to see results.

The results seen with radiofrequency devices are typically transient (not long-lasting). With Onda®, as we are specifically destroying a proportion of the fat cells, results tend to be much longer lasting and in some cases may be permanent.

The Coolwaves™ have a targeted action on the adipose (fat) tissue that produces the following effects:

Heating the adipocytes (fat cells) modifies their metabolism and affects the integrity of their outer membranes.

The adipocytes then release a quantity of lipid (fat) through a mechanism called “blebbing”. Some blebs are formed along the outer membrane of the adipocyte and fat literally leaks out of these blebs.

Blebbing gets so intense that the adipocyte membrane loses structural integrity. The cell membrane ruptures, and the fat cell is destroyed (“adipocytolysis” or “lipolysis”.

The droplets of fat that are poured into the interstitial space between the cells, stimulates an influx of inflammatory cells (macrophages) from the blood. These macrophages have the task of “cleaning up” by engulfing the free fat and any other cellular debris. It is helpful to think of the macrophages as little garbage Pac-men, chomping up the waste.

Once they have cleared the area of excess free fat,  the macrophages migrate into the lymphatic system and are drained away. In this way the fat is eliminated from the body.

The area underneath the skin, particularly in the female thigh area, consists of small sections of fat lobules separated by parallel fibrous walls (septa). Cellulite occurs when there is a build-up of fat in these sections, and water retention around them (in the dermis and hypodermis). This increases the volume of each section, causing the walls of each section (the septa) to be compressed from within. Because these walls are attached to the dermis (anchor points) they pull at the skin surface, while the fat cells are pushing outwards towards the dermis. The result is a skin surface that takes on a bumpy, ‘orange-peel’ appearance.

For this type of cellulite, Onda® acts in two ways:

Through a direct action on the collagen septa, in particular in the upper part towards the dermis, nearby the anchor points. As the septa (which, due to cellulite, are fibrotic and therefore less elastic) get softened by the Coolwaves™, they are regenerated with new and more elastic fibres of collagen. The final result is a visible improvement of the orange peel appearance and also the “constriction” within the fat lobule itself.

Through reducing the volume of adipocytes, with a targeted action on them (see previous section).The total volume of the lobules gets reduced, with a consequent lower traction on the anchor points of the septa. With the reduction in fat volume, there is less outward pressure on the skin, leading to an improved microcirculation, better lymphatic drainage and therefore less water retention.

The heat produced by the Coolwaves™ causes an immediate shrinkage of the collagen fibres in the lower dermis, with a consequent tightening. The final effect is an improvement of skin laxity.

People are often concerned about whether microwaves are safe. Differently from a microwave oven, the microwaves emitted by Onda® emission are highly controlled.

The microwaves from Onda® are not free-range; they are both emitted and return back to the specially designed, patent-pending handpiece. This allows us to have a very precise depth of action, and to avoid any random, uncontrolled transmission in the body.

No organs or tissues other than the target fat and lower skin layers are touched by the microwaves. This makes Onda® a very safe system. Moreover, the handpieces work only when they are in contact with the skin. Therefore, if the handpiece is not in full contact, it will stop emitting, ensuring complete control of the energy delivery.

Onda® is particularly effective on stubborn areas of fat on the stomach, love handles, thighs, saddlebags, back and upper arms. We can also target cellulite on the thighs, buttocks and arms.

Not at all. Most people feel a gentle warmth under the skin with a feeling of coolness on the skin itself. The treated area remains warm for a few hours afterwards.

Each treatment covers a 15x15cm area and takes approximately 12 minutes. It is possible to have multiple (up to 4) areas treated in each session.

Mild side effects including itching, numbness, hardness, warmth, tenderness, redness and swelling. Less commonly, it is possible to develop mild bruising, nodules or blisters at the treatment area, which are usually transient and resolve within a few days from the treatment.

Studies have shown no significant alteration to the circulating lipid levels in the blood. See the published white paper “Results on Subdermal Fat Tissue Reduction Using a Novel Microwave Based Body Contouring System”, P.Bonan et al. – Oct 2018

Visit the Coolwaves™ website.

Unfortunately, if you have the following conditions you are unlikely to be suitable for Onda® treatment:

• Pregnancy
• Heart failure
• Metal implants or pacemakers
• Severe clotting disorders
• Current or recent cancer
• Severe vascular disease
• Skin disease in the treatment area
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Under 18 years old

Ah, if only it were that easy! Onda® is a body-sculpting system that is designed for localised areas of stubborn fat and cellulite in people whose BMI is less than 30. Unfortunately, it is not a weight-loss treatment. It can however be used in conjunction with your healthy diet and exercise plan to optimise results.

To get the best result from your Onda® treatment, we advise that you avoid any moisturiser or emollient on the treatment area for 48 hours prior to each session. If the skin is dry, it allows for easier passage of the Coolwaves™ through to the target subdermal fat layer.

To assist with lymphatic drainage, you should drink an additional litre of water per day on your treatment day, and on the day before and after treatment.

The recommended number of treatments to see a long-lasting result is 4, although it is possible to have more than this if needed.

Yes, in fact Onda® is ideal to package together with Emsculpt® body contouring as this works in a totally different way. With the combination of the 2 treatments, we can totally personalise a body contouring plan for you that can tackle fat reduction / cellulite / muscle toning / skin tightening.

We recommend Onda® treatments be spaced 4 weeks apart for fat reduction, and 3-4 weeks apart for treatment of cellulite. This interval of time is needed to allow the lymphatic system to drain away the free fat and cellular debris that has been produced in the treatment area. Increasing the frequency of treatments is unlikely to lead to a better or quicker result.

For some patients, results are visible from the 1st session. However, it is more usual to start to see results after the 2nd or 3rd session.

At your initial consultation, our Onda® Therapist will take a medical history to assess whether this is a suitable treatment for you. All treatments at SkinBox Clinics are overseen by a Doctor. Depending on your medical history it may be necessary for you to be seen by our Doctor as well as one of our Onda® Therapists.

The Therapist will then take some body measurements to give you an accurate quote and a treatment plan.

It is NOT usually possible to go ahead with the first treatment at the same time as your initial consultation, although we can arrange your first treatment as soon as possible after your consultation.

On the day of your first treatment we will take some clinical photographs of the body area to be treated. These form part of your medical record and will be kept private as per our Clinic Privacy Policy. You will need to be undressed to your underwear (or bathers) for these photographs. These photos will be repeated at the end of your course of treatment. It is preferable to wear the same plain black or white underwear for consistency of photographs, as this makes it easiest to compare your Before & After images.