Atlantic Ave Magazine November 2019

health & beauty | dermATology
By Jennifer Wilson, MSN, ARNP, NP-C
The Body Contouring
Dynamic Duo
Liposuction is not for the obese patient, but for those who have
disproportionate fat deposits. Those with realistic expectations,
healthy diets, and good exercise routines are the best candidates.
However, even those patients could have sagging skin or skin
laxity after the fat is removed by liposuction causing an additional
unwanted aesthetic result. By pairing a radiofrequency
device, such as ThermiTight, immediately after removing
the fat cells, the skin laxity can also be improved while
stimulating collagen production and strengthening
the surrounding supportive tissue.
When both Liposuction and radiofrequency
are used together, they become
a dynamic duo that effectively helps to
contour the body while using a minimally
invasive approach.
Traditional tumescent liposuction was
developed in 1976 by a dematologic surgeon,
Dr. Jeffrey Klein, and has been consistently
refined with each passing decade.
With this technique, a mixture of saline water,
lidocaine anesthetic and small amounts
of epinephrine are infused into the fatty area
being treated. This local anesthesia enables
the tissue to swell and allows your surgeon to
gently remove unwanted fatty deposits. Using
the authentic tumescent technique, intravenous
and general anesthesia risks are eliminated.
Because patients are coherent, the doctor
can judge results in an upright position, a benefit
that cannot be employed using heavier sedation.
Additional advantages include little bleeding,
less bruising, and quicker healing, and because
micro-cannulas are used, there is no need for
stitches or drains, thus reducing the risk of infection
or scarring.
Laser liposuction is the most current
addition to the tumescent technique.
“Smart Lipo” was the first laser approved
by the FDA for fat dissolution.
Laser energy such as radiofrequency is
used to break apart fat cells and facilitates
removal of fat while promoting
tissue tightening, resulting in smoother
skin. ThermiTight is a non-surgical,
60 | November 2019 | www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com
minimally invasive alternative to surgery for skin tightening. The
treatment uses radio frequency (a heat energy) to stimulate collagen
production beneath the skin, which improves sagging, texture
and decreases wrinkling.
ThermiTight is formally described as “thermistor controlled subdermal
skin tightening,” which essentially means that controlled
heat is targeted at the collagen layer of the skin. To get under
the skin, the ThermiRF system is used along
with a tiny probe, which is inserted just
below the surface. It functions like an injection
but without a needle. The treatment
area is completely numbed with
a small amount of local anesthetic solution,
promoting patient comfort through
the duration of the procedure.
The physician delivers the radio frequency
energy into the area through gentle
movements that heat the subdermal tissue
(collagen layer) to a specific internal temperature
that stimulates collagen. A Thermal
Image Guidance system is used to monitor internal
temperatures and ensure safety of the
skin, both inside and out.
Results can be noticed immediately but can
take up to three months to see maximum improvement.
Generally, patients need a single
treatment, but, if warranted, a second treatment
can be done a few months after the first. This treatment
is not meant to replace a surgical lift or removal
of the skin, but if one is trying to avoid surgery, radiofrequency
can offer a marked esthetic improvement
to any part of the body that has received liposuction.
Problem areas of the body that have stubborn fat
and decreased elasticity will be transformed by this
dynamic combination of technology.
COPYRIGHTED
Dr. Thomas C. Balshi
4665 W. Atlantic Ave.
Delray Beach, FL 33445
561-272-6000
southflderm.com
www.balshimd.com