Skin Tightening & Fat Melting - What's the catch?

Almost every medical spa you come across has some sort of skin tightening and/or fat melting service they offer. There are several different devices that claim to reduce fat and tighten loose skin but how can we know which ones ACTUALLY work and which ones will be a waste of time and money? You're in luck, I'm going to give you tips to help determine just that! 

Let's start with the Radio Frequency skin tightening and fat-melting. There are two different types of configurations of Radio Frequency, one requires you to be grounded (with some sort of pad), and the other does not. Radio Frequency current is formed when charged particles flow through a closed circuit. As the energy meets resistance in the tissue, heat is produced. The flow of Radio Frequency energy through the skin depends on multiple factors which may not be uniform from one treatment to another. As this heat is being conducted down in your subcutaneous layer it is heating those adipose fat cells to a targeted temperature of 41-43 degrees Celsius (about 105-109 Fahrenheit).  These adipose cells must remain at the targeted temp for at least 5 minutes in order for apoptosis (cell death) to occur. 

Basically we cook those fat cells until they die. Once dead, your body will shed them as it does with dead cells. When we bring that energy, in the form of heat, toward the surface of the skin we reach a point in which we are working with your existing collagen formation. This is where we have those collagen and elastin fibers that have become weakened over years of fighting aging factors. The heat will then cause a thermal injury to these fibers and cause your body to go into repair mode to build these fibers back up stronger and tighter, leading you to the skin tightening benefits. Now it can take up to 6 months for this repair process to be completed so be patient when waiting on skin tightening results. Fat melting results are fairly instantaneous. 

One example of a Radio Frequency device is BTL's Exilis Elite. This is the device that we carry at Northwest Laser Institute for our fat melting and skin tightening services. The Exilis Elite has won several awards since hitting the market and is raved about by professionals around the world. Dr. Giselle Mary Lazaro is a prominent board-certified dermatologist in the Philippines specializing in clinical and aesthetic dermatology who invested in an Exilis Elite device in 2014. She was quoted saying, 

"Compared to its predecessors and other RF machines, Exilis Elite is twice as powerful, thus better results are achieved with fewer treatments. What other machines take eight to 10 treatments to accomplish, the Exilis Elite can do with just four. It is also recognized as the best non-invasive cellulite treatment on the present market."

Above are a couple of before and after photos of patients treated with the Exilis Elite for fat melting and for skin tightening. Pretty astonishing results for a non-invasive treatment. 

Now, as I mentioned, there are several devices on the market that claim to offer skin tightening and fat melting results. Below is a list of other devices with a brief description and a patient review:

• Ulthera :  Ultherapy is the only non-invasive procedure FDA-cleared to lift skin on the neck, under the chin and on the eyebrow. Now also FDA-cleared to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the décolletage - See more at: http://www.ultherapy.com/about-ultrasound-skin-tightening#sthash.nwMwWgAQ.dpuf  

• Cool Sculpting : Renowned Harvard University scientists, Dieter Manstein, MD and R. Rox Anderson, MD, observed that some children got dimples due to eating popsicles. The idea that cold can selectively affect and eliminate fat cells without damaging the skin or surrounding tissue was the insight behind Cryolipolysis^®, the proven science on which the CoolSculpting procedure is based. See more at http://www.coolsculpting.com/the-coolsculpting-procedure/the-science-technology/

• Venus Freeze : Freeze time and reverse aging, through thermal magnetic rejuvenation.  Venus Freeze™ uses 100% safe Multi-Polar Radio Frequency and proven Magnetic Pulse Therapy to deliver tighter skin, softening of wrinkles, plumper, fuller and more youthful appearance, reduced cellulite and a more contoured silhouette. See more at http://www.venusconcept.com/products

• Venus Swan : Redefining the new you.Venus Swan™ treatments are used to reduce wrinkles, rhytides, cellulite, circumferential fat, and tighten skin.  The technology behind the Venus Swan™ is Radio Frequency, which has been used in medicine for many years and has been proven safe and effective. See more at http://www.venusconcept.com/products/

• Venus Legacy : A revolution in medical aesthetics.  The Venus Legacy™ experience provides a non-invasive and pain free solution to reduce volume, tighten skin, contoured desired areas and revitalize your skin.  This is a Radio Frequency treatment that does not require grounding.The treatments provide clinically proven results, with no downtime, allowing you to get back to your daily activities right away. See more at http://www.venusconcept.com/products/

Now those are just a handful of the devices available today for skin tightening and fat melting. 

*Important Tip: I have heard clients report that with the Cool Sculpting procedure they were left with uneven areas and they felt that it was not a very precise treatment.*

If you are interested in learning more about these types of services or specifically the devices, each website will give great information as well as before and after photos with testimonials.
**Warning: This is once again, one of those treatments where bargain shopping should not be the deciding factor. You could end up wasting your time and money.**

For patient reviews and more information on Exilis Elite visit http://www.realself.com/exilis

For prices on Northwest Laser Institute's Exilis Elite services call 208::888::7831

Coming soon....Adult Acne - How to Effectively Treat It and Keep It Under Control