Cellulite is an embarrassing, common and frustrating condition for many women, especially after weight gain or pregnancy. Though a variety of skin creams, exfoliators and treatments are available, most women see very little, if any, results from typical cellulite treatments. Ionithermie is a cellulite treatment claiming to reduce the appearance of cellulite while slimming and detoxifying the body.

Ionithermie involves five important elements. They are galvanic stimulation, faradic stimulation, micronized algae, conductive thermal aroma clay and Biotechniques brand products. While not every Ionithermie treatment involves the use of Biotechniques brand products, the use of mild electrical stimuli through galvanic and faradic stimulation along with natural conductive clay to facilitate the heat and energy transfer, are the main elements of Ionithermie treatments.

In an Ionithermie treatment, electrodes are first placed onto your skin. Galvanic and faradic stimulants from specialized equipment send a mild electrical current to the cells in the area of the body. This stimulation increases blood flow and induces repetitive muscle contractions from deep within the muscle tissue, according to The Skin Center. At the same time, ingredients such as algae are used that aid in the detoxification of the body. Heat-conducive clay helps to transfer the heat and current to the body’s cells beneath the top layer of skin. Repetitive muscle contraction causes a toning of the muscles, while heat and energy help to reduce cellulite.

Many women find Ionithermie treatments to be very effective in firming their muscles and reducing cellulite. The five key outcomes of the treatment are a reduced appearance of cellulite, a smoother skin consistency, a contoured look to the body, firmed and toned muscles and body detoxification. One 60-minute session can remove an inch or two from the circumference of a woman’s thigh area.

The Houston Med Center states that there are some risks and potential side effects of the treatment. Skin irritation and redness are the most common side effects of Ionithermie. Patients with any metal plates or pins in their body should not receive Ionithermie. You may be sore from the muscle contractions up to a few days after the treatment.

Ionithermie cellulite treatment sessions are not cheap. Houston Med Center says that each session usually costs $130 to $170. Since results are likely to be better after a series of continual Ionithermie sessions rather than just one, the overall cost may be up to a thousand dollars or more, depending on how many treatments you need. Costs also vary depending on the location and specific spa that they are done at.