“RHONJ ”Star Dolores Catania Wouldn't Show Her Knees in Public. One Cosmetic Treatment Just Changed That (Exclusive)

Dolores Catania is entering 2025 with a newfound sense of confidence.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star, 53, opens up to PEOPLE about the body-contouring cosmetic procedure she had done on her knees and how it has helped her feel sexier and more empowered in her own skin.

“I’ve always wanted the loose skin on my knees fixed,” Catania says. “Until now, there was nothing that worked.”

That all changed when she discovered Renuvion, a minimally invasive treatment that uses both radio frequency and thermal laser technology to tighten skin from beneath the surface. “I read about the science behind it, and I thought, 'Okay, let me try it.’”

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The results of Catania’s treatment were more significant than she anticipated.

“For so long, I had such a lack of confidence because of my knees,” she says. “I always noticed when people would look at them, and sometimes they seemed a little shocked by what they saw. It has definitely been an issue for me for a long time until now. And it gets better after the treatment.”

Related: 'RHONJ' Star Dolores Catania Lost 20 Lbs. on Ozempic and Mounjaro, Says It’s 'No Easy Fix for Weight Loss'

Just six weeks post-treatment, Catania has been careful to give herself time to heal. "After the procedure, you need to stay out of the gym for at least a week," she explains. "You have to keep your knees wrapped and elevated. Don’t overdo it — don’t go back to the gym too soon. Let yourself heal. Bruising and pain were minimal. Swelling is to be expected, but as far as procedures go, this was the least discomfort I've ever had. I don't even think I took a Tylenol, to tell you the truth."

Despite the potential for scrutiny, Catania feels it's important to be transparent about the work she’s had done. “I feel that it's my responsibility to let someone else know if I did something that worked,” the reality star says. “Honestly, I don't pay attention to that because there are so many people who thank me for doing the research, being honest and sharing my experience.”

With her boost in confidence, Catania is embracing a bolder sense of style. She recently attended a Renuvion event at Art Basel in Miami in early December, wearing a dress with a slit that showed off her knees.

“I felt very proud to sit there and show my knees for the first time,” she explains. “Sitting next to Dr. Mendieta ... he actually explained that a lot of women will stay in a relationship because of their lack of confidence in their bodies.”

When asked if she has ever felt that way in her own relationships, Catania laughs and says, “No, I stay in them for other reasons.”

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Catania has even more to look forward to in 2025. “I just had a call about it, so I’m very excited,” she tells PEOPLE about starring in the upcoming season of The Traitors, premiering Jan. 9 on Peacock.

Related: Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania Calls The Traitors Season 3 ‘The Best Experience of My Life’

“When you get to the castle, you have no contact with the outside world except for one phone call home a week for 30 minutes,” she says about the show — in which she appears alongside other well-known stars including Chrishell Stause, Tom Sandoval and Sam Asghari. “The missions are crazy, and Alan [Cumming]'s costumes are mind-blowing. I’m excited for people to see me outside of my regular cast and witness how I got along with everyone. It was the best experience of my entire life.”

While The Traitors is what she is most looking forward to in 2025, Catania says Renuvion takes the cake for 2024. “My Renuvion procedure is my highlight of this year,” she shares. “I’ve been good and transparent, and I stand behind Renuvion in every way. I love it.”

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