Cosmetic Surgery Unnecessary with New Technology to Tighten Skin

Signs of aging, cellulite or sagging skin after moderate weight loss can be addressed for some with a new technology that minimizes not only the down time, but the risks of cosmetic surgery and the occasional procedure that doesn't go as planned. Another big advantage to this first-of-its-kind skin-tightening technology is that it can treat loose skin virtually anywhere on the body - all within just a few visits to a dermatologist, and all without invasive cosmetic surgery.

According to Wednesday's news release, the new technology uses broad-spectrum light sources, versus monopolar radiofrequency.

Dr. David J. Goldberg is a clinical professor of dermatology and director of laser research at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. During his Aug. 1 presentation at the American Academy of Dermatology's Summer Academy Meeting 2007, he described both: "The monopolar radiofrequency (RF) technology, which was introduced five years ago and which is credited as the first non-surgical skin-tightening device, has been the catalyst for what is now an explosion in non-invasive skin tightening with different technologies and areas of the body that we can treat. Originally used to lift the eyebrows, monopolar RF was found to be effective in tightening the jowls and neck area with its unique approach of cooling the outer layer of skin while heating the deeper layers to cause tightening. This basic principle is what shaped many of the latest skin-tightening technologies."

Dr. Goldberg talked about treating loose skin on the face and body, separately from treating cellulite. He said the new devices produce deep heating in the middle layer of skin which incites new collagen to form. In the press release he compared the two technologies: "The delivery systems that these devices employ and the varying depths to which the heat is delivered are what set them apart from each other, which is what dermatologists evaluate when selecting a technology for the area of skin they're treating. For example, the broad-spectrum light sources and monopolar RF use different size treatment tips to deliver energy to the skin. Larger tips are better for bigger surfaces of skin, whereas the smaller tips are used for more confined areas of loose skin that require a concentrated delivery of energy."

According to Dr. Goldberg, "These new technologies allow us to treat younger and older patients with equal degrees of success. As long as the area being treated involves only superficial loose skin - not loose fat or muscle - no area of the body should be off limits for a skin-tightening procedure."

The actual rate of visible results varies among patients. Some notice tighter skin immediately, while others notice improvement gradually over time. Dr. Goldberg said the results of the procedure generally last at least a year.

The treatment of cellulite uses unipolar radiofrequency devices, which differ from those already discussed. In his presentation, Dr. Goldberg explained: "The best way to describe how this treatment works is to think of it as a blender-like effect on the skin, involving the ultra-rapid rotation of molecules through the skin that generates heat. The heat is dispersed to the surrounding tissue, allowing the deeper skin structures - where cellulite forms - to be effectively heated."

Dr. Goldberg said a study to evaluate if this procedure could improve the appearance of cellulite tissue when done in six treatment sessions every two weeks found promising results. He said that of 30 patients treated, 27 showed evidence of clinical improvement. Specifically, Dr. Goldberg said that the "improvement we saw with the unipolar radiofrequency device in tightening cellulite was greater than the results previously reported with bipolar and low-energy laser systems. In fact, fewer treatments were needed and better results were noted with this new approach. What remains to be seen is how long treatment results last and whether combined approaches with other modalities will lead to even better results."

Before rushing to the nearest dermatologist and demanding this new form of cosmetic treatment, Dr. Goldberg stressed the importance of seeking consultation and working with a knowledgeable physician. He said that when he decides "what technology to use for each individual patient, I make the decision based on the findings of clinical studies using the various technologies, which of the devices' delivery systems will work best for the treatment area, and my own personal experience with the technology. In the right hands, these new skin tightening techniques can produce noticeable improvements."

Source:

New release, New Technologies Tighten Skin from Head to Toe without Surgery; http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532033/