EDUCATIONAL BLOG

Topic: Body Shaping     

     Many of us have concerns about our body shape. Diet and exercise always play an integral role in any body shaping regime.  There are a number of procedures that can help us from the non invasive to the minimally invasive to achieve our goals.  

Cellulite & Over Stretched Skin:  

Thermage 
      Thermage is a body shaping procedure that utilizes radiofrequency energy to heat the skin. This specialized heat causes increased collagen production leading to tighter skin. This is most helpful in treating abdominal skin that has been over stretched by pregnancy, cellulite on the buttocks and upper legs, as well as wrinkled skin from excessive sun exposure over a life time. The procedures is non invasive, however minimal pain medicine is utilized to remove the discomfort of the radiofrequency heat. The procedure is done every 1-3 years depending on need.  Once complete, some patients take it easy for the remaining day if pain medications were utilized. You can literally be up and running the next morning. 

Removing Fat Pockets:  

Lipo Dissolve 
      Lipodissolve involves tiny injections into the pocket of fat to help dissolve the fat away. The main medicine utilized is phosphatidylcholine. This medicine is in every single cell of the human body.  However, when injected back in a concentrated form it acts like a soapy substance that causes the cells to burst.  Lipodissolve usually involves multiple visits. Depending on the size of the area if may take 1-5 visits. Lipodissolve is intended for small fat pockets. 
      The injections take a few minutes to complete and are mixed with numbing medication to create a relatively painless experience. Side effects include swelling to the area for 2-10 days. It does not stop you from going to work, but may require you to take Tylenol once a day. 
      Fat reduction is gradual over the treatments. Common areas for treatments include the bra rolls, abdomen, thighs, arms and even under the eyes! Price is $350 per area per treatment. 

Minimal Liposuction 
      Minimal Liposuction is intended for those patients who are in fairly good shape but have a tiny stubborn area in the thighs or abdomen area.  These patients are not overweight, but just really want to fine tune themselves. 
      The procedure involves making a small 2.5mm incision. After using local medication to numb, an ultrasound and laser heat source is introduced to melt the fat and tighten the skin. The procedure usually takes 1-2 hours and patients are very comfortable. The patient can often drive themselves home. We ask patients to take 1-3 days of relative rest and not exercise the involved area for 2 weeks. 
     Adults are not able to produce new fat cells, so once the fat is removed those fat cells will not come back. 

Smart Lipo / Vaser Lipo 
      Larger areas of fatty tissue are treated through laser and ultrasound liposuction.  As in minimal liposuction a small 2.5mm incision is made, but larger volumes of anesthesia are used and greater amount of laser and ultrasound energy are used to treat.  Due to the larger volumes of local anesthetic there is some pre-procedure blood work and an EKG required. 
      The procedures usually takes about 3-6 hours to perform. Patients are resting quietly or talking through the procedure. Patients have the option of taking some oral medication to help keep them relaxed during the procedure. Recovery involves relatively low key days at home for 3-7 days depending on the individual and no exercise for one week. 
      Adults are not able to produce new fat cells, so once the fat is removed those fat cells will not come back. Patients can gain weight overall, but it is much harder to gain weight in the treated areas.  

Topic : Collagen Building 

Background : As we age we all lose collagen at different rates. We often start seeing outward signs of collagen loss by our mid thirties.  Collagen is the stuffing of our face. The more collagen we have the more full and upright our face will stay. 

Collagen can not be filled all at once like a gas tank.  Collagen rebuilding is a process that we must keep up with through a variety of treatment options. The earlier we start the better job we can all do. 

Retin A 
Retin A is a daily tool that can be used to help build collagen at home. The effects of Retin A are gradual but pronounced over time. Retin A can cause mild skin irritation at first, but is overall a wonderful and relatively inexpensive tool in anti-aging. Retin A can be applied over the entire face and neck area after consultation with Couture. The cost through Couture is $50 per month. 

• Retin A prescription strength for home use

RadioFrequency Heat 
Gentle heating of the existing collagen layer through radiofrequency energy can cause increased collagen production.  This can be most readily accomplished through procedures like Thermage. Thermage can be done every 12-36 months to help keep the collagen levels boosted in the face. The process is non invasive and requires at most 1 day of down time. Thermage can be used over the entire face and neck area. Costs range from $1650 to $2300. 

• Thermage

Sculptra 
Sculptra is a wonderful medicine that helps the body produce more collagen. It is most highly useful for volume loss in the cheeks. Full cheeks are a sign of youth. The medicine is placed by injection and collagen production happens in 3-5 weeks. Multiple injections may be needed depending on the degree of volume loss. Cost is $650 per vial of Sculptra. 

• Sculptra

Dermal Fillers 
Dermal Fillers are medications that are injected to volumize the various folds of the face, including the nose mouth and marionette lines.  Any dermal filler which lasts over 9 months has the ability to induce collagen growth. Fillers are placed through injection  and take about 3-4 minutes to place.   Popular names include Restylane, Juvederm and Radiesse. Costs range from $350 to $600 per syringe. 

• Restylane
• Juvederm
• Radiesse

The right choice for you needs to be made in conjunction with a no charge consultation.