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 | <strong>November</strong> <strong>2019</strong> | www.<strong>Atlantic</strong><strong>Ave</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.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. <strong>Atlantic</strong> <strong>Ave</strong>. Delray Beach, FL 33445 561-272-6000 southflderm.com www.balshimd.com
COPYRIGHTED www.<strong>Atlantic</strong><strong>Ave</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.com | november <strong>2019</strong> | 61