What is it? A procedure that uses radio frequency and infrared light to heat fatty tissue, while a vacuum and mechanical massage manipulates and smoothes out the skin. This scary-sounding combination is meant to tauten lumpy or dimply skin and give a more toned shape.

Good for? It claims to be good at reducing cellulite and the circumference on thighs, buttocks, arms, love handles and abdomen. Saggy post-baby bellies are also targeted. It received approval last year from the Food and Drug Administration in the US for its “temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite”.

Ouch factor? According to the blurb, it is akin to having a deep-tissue body massage, but our guinea-pigs tell me that it is more similar to having a powerful vacuum cleaner passed over your skin.

Clock-watching In 40 minutes several areas can be treated, such as abdomen, buttocks and thighs. The manufacturers say you can see a difference after four treatments, which should be done at one-week intervals. Once the initial course of treatment has been completed and the results are satisfactory a monthly maintenance appointment is required.

Downtime None. The only after-effects (except for tauter buttocks, obviously)is a redness, which should disappear after a few hours, although some people can bruise.

What to ask It's not regulated by the Healthcare Commission, the independent watchdog for health, so a beautician can administer it. Your beautician should be trained up to NVQ Level 3 and have had in-house training.

Cost This depends on the body part. Beyond Medispa (beyondmedispa.co.uk)at Harvey Nichols does the popular Hourglass Package, which focuses on tummy, thighs and bottom for £350 a treatment, although it sells the procedure only in courses of six at £1,750.

Plastic surgeon's verdict “This device is very good for improving cellulite. However, I wouldn't use it exclusively for body reshaping, because you need something more dramatic such as liposuction for that,” says Dr Maurizio Viel, a consultant surgeon and body re-shaping specialist at The London Centre of Aesthetic Surgery (lcas.com ).

Trick or treatment? Good for getting rid of the dimply stuff, but don't expect a whole new silhouette. And remember, the cellulite disappears only for as long as you keep having the procedure done.

CLAIRE McDONALD

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