FROM BEAUTYNEWSNYC.COM
The fat reduction market is predicted to see the greatest growth among laser and light based devices over the next few years, stemming from our never ending svelte seeking mission, as well as doctors and clinics that are adopting new technologies at a record pace. The new breed of “laser-assisted liposuction,” or “LAL” for short, come at a time when consumer desires for non-surgical, minimally invasive procedures are at an all time high. So we can expect to see many more of these devices in the near future that have wide appeal to both sexes.
The new technologies combine lasers, various forms of radio frequency and ultrasound, and other energies to dissolve fat and offer up less invasive solutions than traditional liposuction that often involves general anesthesia and a hospital stay. The beauty of these systems is that the recovery and downtime are minimized. There is some good clinical data coming out that proves that surely some of them do indeed do what they claim to, which is to remove what doctors call “unwanted fat deposits,” – as if there were any other kind! However, results can be variable and are not always a home run. Another growing concern is that a whole influx of non-surgeons and lesser trained doctors have jumped on the lipo lasering bandwagon, so it’s a case of buyer beware. Although the technology may be proven to be safe, there is a learning curve for the technician to get it right and to avoid possible lumps or uneven areas. There is no substitute for experience and a good aesthetic eye.
One of the newest bulge blasting machines is the Zerona™ a non-invasive body contouring system that uses a low-level laser to emit a beam of light which targets the fat cells. The Erchonia® Laser Scanner causes the destruction of fatty tissue and then the excess fat is metabolized and passes through the body normally. The treatment takes about a half hour and you will need about six treatment sessions over a two week time span. You will be instructed to drink lots of fluids, walk daily, take oral supplements and wear a compression garment during the process, and you can see some improvement after one week.
SmoothLipo® is a continuous wave type of laser energy that raises the temperature uniformly over an area to be treated, leading to collapse of the fat cells. The process continues to generate improvement even after the procedure has ended. One of the benefits claimed is that higher energies can be used safely so that you get a smoother contour along with skin tightening, which is the holy grail of fat dissolving systems. According to New York Plastic Surgeon Z. Paul Lorenc, MD, “SmoothLipo is more than just laser lipolysis. The heating of the tissue seems to produce good skin retraction which improves contour irregularities and smoothes the skin, especially in areas of laxity. We have used it for three months and are getting great results on the neck and for mommy makeovers to firm up the tummy after childbirth.” The precursor technology to SmoothLipo® is SmoothShapes® from Eleme Medical which is primarily used to obliterate cellulite, lumps, bumps and other irregularities. The two devices can deliver a one two punch for slimmer thighs with fewer dimples to get your body beach ready in a few weeks.
Europe is paving the way to freedom from “unwanted” fat because CE marks are infinitely easier, faster and cheaper to get than FDA approval. The first ultrasonic fat blasting system approved to market in Europe was UltraShape®, a system using selectively focused ultrasound originally conceived by an Israeli plastic surgeon. This technology uses transdermal ultrasound, meaning through the skin, to liquefy fat without making any incisions. A series of three sessions is typically needed to see a sizeable contour change. As a side note, Israel is one of the main exporters for these devices as their technology and more specifically, laser and energy based device, development sectors are way ahead of the curve.
Enter LipoSonix™ from Medicis (the Restylane company) that was granted a CE mark last year and more recently approval from Health Canada. The device was just launched in Europe, and is designed to focus high intensity focused ultrasound (called HIFU) to cause permanent disruption of fatty tissue without damaging the skin or underlying tissues and organs. The energy is applied with a transducer which delivers it across the skin surface at a low intensity, and brings it to a high intensity focus at precise depths in the targeted fat to cause heat destruction. The body flushes the damaged fat cells through the lymphatic system to the liver, where they are resorbed over several weeks. The advantages of this ultrasonic energy are little to no downtime and one treatment that takes about an hour can take a few centimeters off your waistline. At the current time, Liposonix is used primarily for the tummy, hips and thighs, although smaller transducers will be launched in the future for arms, neck and other areas. After a treatment, you may have temporary redness, mild bruising, discomfort, and swelling. According to Dr. Rita Rakus in London, “Liposonix is not intended to treat obesity or areas where there is too little fat. A single treatment can produce a dramatic flattening of the tummy.”
Lastly, the long awaited Zeltiq Aesthetics just received the European CE Mark approval for non-invasive fat reduction with a different twist. Zeltiq™ is based on the patented method of “Cryolipolysis,” which translates to using controlled cooling rather than heating to target and eliminate fat cells. It doesn’t actually freeze your fat, but lowers the temperature to transform your fat cells from liquids to solids. Think about what happens to chicken soup when you put in the fridge – the fat forms a solid crust. The fat cells are thus destroyed and processed by the liver and then resorbed by the body over several months.
Neither UltraShape, Liposonix nor Zeltiq is FDA approved for cosmetic use in the US yet, but clinical trials are ongoing and hope springs eternal that they will soon! These systems are available in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East so by the time they arrive on US shores, we will have a pretty good idea of how well they work and how many inches you can reasonably lose in one session. As with most minimally invasive techniques, more is more when it comes to fat reduction and larger areas or bigger bellies may request more than one treatment.
Melting, freezing and lasering fat cells does not come cheap; these high tech energy devices cost the doctor from $60,000 – $100,000.
Most non-invasive or minimally invasive fat treatments fall into the price range of $2,500 -$4,000 per area, which is not necessarily less expensive than traditional liposuction, although hospitalization and anesthesia is usually not needed which cuts down on your total investment.
SAY HELLO TO REX
A new wrinkle -freezing treatment known as REX, formerly known as GFX or Relaxed Expressions, is being offered at selected doctors’ offices to treat the lines between the eyebrows. To date Botox is the most effective treatment but there are those who do not want to be injected with the botulism virus event though it has been around for a long time and appears to be totally safe for most individuals.
The REX works by inserting a probe under the skin at the corner of the temple. You need to be able to frown during the 30 minute procedure so the doctor can access nerve function. The probe emits energy that creates lesions of the muscles that cause the wrinkles between the brows. REX is a more invasive procedure then Botox and can cause swelling and bruising at the site of the insertion. On the surface of this information I am not a fan, even though I prefer “natural” approaches to youthful aging.
Bioform Medical, the company that markets Radiesse, does claim it lasts 12 months. That is way longer then Botox or Dysport which last 3-6 months tops. Jury is still out on this !
FROM BEAUTYNEWSNYC.COM
We may not be ready to inject our own BOTOX® (yet), but DIY derm devices have taken the beauty world by storm. Thanks to an ever expanding selection of light based devices designed to get rid of hair, zap wrinkles and sun damage, cure pimples and even out skin tone, beauty devices are the new skin care. The crashing economy has also fueled our interest in taking our beauty into the home.
For laser and light based devices to be sold into the mass market, the technology has to be significantly downsized from what you can find in a doctor’s office. Translation: less powerful energy, and therefore less dramatic results. The main differences between doctor devices and at-home units are their size and the concentration of diodes. In a doctor’s office, your face, neck, and/or chest are exposed for less than a minute in front of a wide panel of low-level flashing lights. By contrast, home devices are hand held versions that are a fraction of the size. Some of these devices do work, but very slowly.
LED (light emitting diode) systems use specific wavelengths of light to treat different skin problems. LEDs are actually very low level light, about 25 watts, like tiny little light bulbs. Blue LEDs minimize acne breakouts by killing the bacteria that causes acne. Red LEDs treat the signs of sun damage and aging by providing energy to skin cells so they can heal themselves and produce collagen and elastin. The limiting factor as to how much you can get out of this treatment is how much time you are willing to put in. A doctor’s office device can treat the whole face at once, but at-home versions require a larger investment of time because they only cover a small surface area at a time.
There is a proliferation of these devices on the market now, ranging from around $200 up to $500 per unit. For example, Tanda® RegenerateTM Anti-Aging Light Therapy Treatment requires placing the triangular head directly onto your skin for three minutes at a time in one spot, for up to 18 minutes. After 2 quick beeps, your three minutes are up. When it comes to LEDs, more is more. The device is safe to use daily, although twice a week is generally recommended. Don’t look for visible results until four to eight weeks, depending on how often you use it. The Tanda® kit comes with a Light Optimized Cleanser and Serum. TandaTM offers the benefits of interchangeable multiple color heads, which is good if you have both acne and sun damage. (http://www.tandaskincare.com)
Another device that falls between LED and IPL (intense pulsed light) is the Baby Quasar Photorejuvenation Device Wrinkles/Skin Rejuvenation (RED). The Baby Q resembles a mallet at first glance, with a round lighted head attached to a chrome handle. It uses four different wavelengths between 600 and 1200 nm and 24 diodes (12 red/amber and 12 infrared) to stimulate cellular activity from within your skin. 30 minute treatments done two to three times a week for six weeks is recommended. (http://www.babyquasar.com) Results with these units are cumulative, so you can keep going until you get where you want to be or get bored, whichever comes first.
According to David J. Goldberg, M.D., J.D., Director, Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of NY/NJ, “Photomodulation using light-emitting diodes (LED) has been proven to improve the appearance of aging skin. It works by boosting collagen and elastin fibers which make up the structural support of the skin that breaks down over time. The process is thought to directly activate skin cells without causing heat injury to tissue. The frequency and duration of the LED photomodulation appears to regenerate living cells by making existing skin cells function more like younger cells.”
Due to increases collagen and elastin, you can see an improvement in skin texture, roughness, pore size, and redness after a series of ongoing treatments. There are none of the three D’s; discomfort, discoloration, or downtime. In fact, the treatments are gentle and warming. To enhance the results, you may also add other therapies to your routine, such as acne medications, glycolic peels and anti-aging creams. Another benefit is that the light energy supposedly strengthens the effects of other skin treatments.
“Home LED devices come in several different types. They are a safe and mild procedure for any age, skin color or skin type. Different LED devices can improve skin hydration, treat sunburn, lighten hyperpigmentation and may even reduce cellulite and stretch marks on non-facial areas,” says Dr. Goldberg.
Left to your own devices, these are useful complements to professional treatments, or for skin maintenance. You can also try them to calm redness after peels and microdermabrasions. You’re not going to get a ‘wow’ factor from these kinder, gentler waves, but you can get some improvement if you stick with the program.
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