Taula de Continguts
- Cellulite, skin laxity and fluid retention: three different problems
- What INDIBA is and what the evidence says about its use on the body
- What radiofrequency can offer in each case
- Areas: thighs, buttocks, abdomen and arms
- When to combine with cryolipolysis or body HIFU
- Habits that influence the result
- Who should wait or check with a doctor first
- How we work at Santé Madrid
- Frequently asked questions
Body INDIBA is a radiofrequency treatment that heats the tissues in a controlled way and is used on the body to improve skin firmness and the appearance of cellulite, always as part of a plan rather than as a stand-alone solution. Cellulite, skin laxity and fluid retention are not the same thing, and radiofrequency does not offer the same to each of them. In this guide we explain what each concern is, what the evidence says, when it makes sense to combine it with cryolipolysis or body HIFU, and how we work at Santé Madrid.
Key points
- Cellulite, skin laxity and fluid retention have different causes; identifying which one predominates in your case is the first step.
- Studies on radiofrequency show improvements in the appearance of cellulite and in firmness, but they usually require several sessions and the effects are not permanent.
- Leg swelling can have medical causes: if it appears suddenly, in only one leg or with pain, you need to see a doctor before any aesthetic treatment.
- When there is localised fat or more pronounced laxity, the medical team may suggest cryolipolysis or body HIFU alongside INDIBA.
- Pregnancy and electronic implants, such as a pacemaker, are contraindications according to the manufacturer. Results vary from person to person.
Cellulite, skin laxity and fluid retention: three different problems
They are often mentioned together, but they respond to different mechanisms. Cellulite is the padded or orange-peel appearance that shows up mainly on the thighs and buttocks. A review published in 2023 describes it as a disorder of the architecture of the dermis and the fatty tissue beneath it: fibrous septa pull the skin inwards while the fat lobules push outwards. The same review acknowledges that its origin is still not fully understood.
Skin laxity is something else: the skin loses firmness and starts to sag, which is common with age or after changes in weight. It can coexist with cellulite, but it is not the same.
Fluid retention, finally, is the feeling of heavy or swollen legs. According to MedlinePlus, swelling of the legs and ankles is common after standing for a long time or on long journeys, but it can also be caused by venous insufficiency, some medicines or heart, kidney or liver problems. That is why, before thinking about an aesthetic treatment, it is worth knowing where it comes from.
What INDIBA is and what the evidence says about its use on the body
According to the manufacturer itself, INDIBA is an electromagnetic current that reaches the body through electrodes at a frequency of 448 kHz and gradually raises the temperature of the treated tissue. The manufacturer explains that at moderate temperatures deep blood flow increases and that at higher temperatures, in aesthetics, it can improve the appearance of cellulite. These are the brand's descriptions, not promised results.
In the laboratory, a study from the Ramón y Cajal Hospital observed that stimulation at 448 kHz reduced the fat content of stem cells derived from adipose tissue during their differentiation. It is an interesting finding, but it was done in cultured cells, not in people, and it does not allow us to promise a specific effect on the body.
In clinical studies with different radiofrequency devices, the 2023 review mentioned above concludes that they can reduce the appearance of cellulite, with two limitations: several sessions are needed and the results are short-lived. Another review of body contouring technologies adds that there is no standard session protocol for radiofrequency. In other words, there is a basis for using it, but it is wise to keep expectations realistic.
What radiofrequency can offer in each case
The table gives a general summary of how body INDIBA fits each concern. It does not replace an assessment: many people have two or three of these problems at once, and the plan is adapted to whichever predominates.
| Concern | What lies behind it | What INDIBA can offer | Limits and alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cellulite | Fibrous septa and fat lobules in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue | Improvement in the appearance of the skin over several sessions, according to radiofrequency studies | Not a permanent effect; usually needs maintenance and supportive habits |
| Mild or moderate laxity | Loss of skin firmness | Heat in the tissue with the aim of improving firmness | If laxity is more pronounced, the doctor may consider body HIFU |
| Fluid retention | Postural, hormonal, venous or medical causes | The manufacturer describes an increase in blood flow; specific aesthetic evidence is limited | Medical causes are ruled out first; habits carry a lot of weight |
| Localised fat | Fat build-up in a specific area | Can accompany other treatments, but it is not its main indication in our plan | Cryolipolysis is designed to reduce localised fat |
The important thing is not to expect from a single technology what depends on several factors. If your main concern is firmness or cellulite, you can read more on our body INDIBA radiofrequency page.
Areas: thighs, buttocks, abdomen and arms
On its body firming page, the manufacturer lists among the treatment areas the back, hips, abdomen, legs, arms, buttocks and inner knees. In this guide we focus on four of them.
- Thighs. Together with the buttocks, this is one of the areas where cellulite is most noticeable, and it is sometimes mixed with a feeling of heaviness. We assess which part is orange-peel skin, which part is laxity and which part is swelling.
- Buttocks. The 2023 review points to the gluteal region as the area where cellulite appears most often. Here the goal is usually skin texture, not volume.
- Abdomen. It can show laxity, localised fat or both. Telling them apart changes the plan, because localised fat may require other technologies.
- Arms. The inner arm can lose firmness with age or after changes in weight. In a study included in the body contouring review, radiofrequency reduced circumference on the abdomen and thighs, but not significantly on the buttocks and arms, a reminder that not every area responds in the same way.
The Santé Madrid medical team decides which areas to treat and in what order after examining you standing and lying down, in good light.
When to combine with cryolipolysis or body HIFU
INDIBA works above all on skin quality and firmness. When the main problem is something else, the doctor may suggest combining it with other technologies from the Santé Madrid catalogue.
Cryolipolysis, if there is localised fat. It is a non-surgical technique that cools the fat in a specific area. A systematic review found a reduction in localised fat with mild, temporary side effects such as redness, swelling or pain, and describes paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, an increase in fat in the treated area, as a rare complication. You can read more on our cryolipolysis page.
Body HIFU, if laxity is more pronounced. According to Classys, the manufacturer, Ultraformer MPT concentrates ultrasound into thermal coagulation points that stimulate collagen synthesis, and it has body cartridges of 6, 9 and 13 mm. At Santé Madrid it is used on the abdomen, arms and knees. More information on body HIFU.
A 2026 review of combinations in body contouring recommends pairing technologies that act on different tissues rather than adding ones that do the same thing, and warns that there are no standardised sequencing protocols. That is why the order and the intervals are decided by the medical team in each case.
Habits that influence the result
No technology on its own makes up for the factors that encourage these problems. The 2023 cellulite review notes that diet, a sedentary lifestyle and alcohol can contribute to cellulite appearing or getting worse, and explains a useful detail: when you gain weight, the fibrous septa stretch, but they do not shorten when you lose weight. That is why, after significant weight loss, the skin may need a different approach.
For fluid retention, MedlinePlus lists some simple measures:
- Raise your legs above the level of your heart when you rest.
- Move your legs and exercise, because it helps the fluid return towards the heart.
- Follow a low-salt diet.
- Avoid very tight clothing around the thighs and take breaks to walk on long journeys.
If your daily routine means spending many hours sitting or standing, these steps can make as much difference as the sessions. It is also worth thinking about the sun: the manufacturer states that radiofrequency is not contraindicated with sun exposure, but that if high temperatures have been used it is preferable to avoid it afterwards. In the sunniest months in Madrid, the doctor will tell you how to plan around it.
Who should wait or check with a doctor first
INDIBA is a non-invasive treatment, but it is not suitable for everyone or at every moment. The manufacturer describes slight redness or a passing tingling sensation when high temperatures are reached as possible side effects. These are the situations we always review during the assessment.
According to the manufacturer, metal prostheses are not a contraindication at this frequency, although it is worth mentioning them at the consultation. After a pregnancy or after surgery done at another centre there are specific considerations that are assessed separately, and the Santé Madrid medical team will tell you whether it is the right time.
How we work at Santé Madrid
Our clinic is at C. de Amador de los Ríos, 1, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid, close to Almagro and Salamanca. This is the usual process:
- First consultation. You can start with an aesthetic assessment with a Beauty Coach, which is free, or with a medical consultation for €50 (the price of the consultation, not of the treatment). We go over your history, your medication and your habits.
- Diagnosis. The medical team assesses whether cellulite, laxity, retention or localised fat predominates, and whether anything needs to be looked into first.
- Plan. We decide the areas, whether INDIBA is used on its own or combined with cryolipolysis or body HIFU, and in what order.
- Sessions. You feel a gradual warmth that is adjusted to your sensitivity. The manufacturer states that the number of sessions ranges from 2 or 3 to many more depending on the case, and that there may be maintenance sessions.
- Follow-up. We review your progress and adjust the rhythm or the combination.
Results vary from person to person and we do not promise a specific change. The aim is an honest, medical plan adapted to you.
Frequently asked questions
Does INDIBA get rid of cellulite?
It does not get rid of it. Studies with radiofrequency show improvements in its appearance after several sessions, but the effects are not permanent and also depend on habits. Results vary from person to person.
Does INDIBA help with fluid retention?
The manufacturer describes an increase in blood flow, but the specific evidence on fluid retention is limited. It is best to rule out medical causes first and look after habits such as movement, salt and raising your legs.
How many sessions do I need?
There is no fixed number and no standard protocol. The medical team proposes a plan after the assessment and adjusts it according to your progress, with possible maintenance sessions.
Is body radiofrequency painful?
It feels like a gradual warmth. If you feel discomfort, the intensity is adjusted. There may be slight redness that disappears shortly afterwards.
Can I combine INDIBA with cryolipolysis or body HIFU?
Yes, when there is localised fat or more pronounced laxity. The doctor decides the combination, the order and the intervals, because there is no standard sequence.
Can I have INDIBA if I am pregnant?
No. The manufacturer considers pregnancy an absolute contraindication, as are electronic implants that cannot be removed or switched off.
Can I go about my normal life after the session?
Generally, yes. If high temperatures have been used, it is preferable to avoid the sun afterwards. The doctor will give you the specific instructions.
Cellulite, skin laxity and fluid retention call for different answers, and radiofrequency is a useful tool within a plan, not an isolated solution. The first step is an assessment with the Santé Madrid medical team.
