What is VASER Lipo? Is it different than traditional liposuction?
VASER Lipo is a minimally invasive procedure that precisely and efficiently removes unwanted body fat. An alternative to the harsh techniques of traditional liposuction, VASER Lipo uses state-of-the-art ultrasound technology designed to gently reshape your body. What distinguishes the VASER Lipo procedure is its ability to differentiate targeted fat from other important tissues – such as nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. Innovative VASER technology breaks up fat while conserving these other important tissues. Only the VASER Lipo procedure uses the proprietary VASER System to first liquefy fat and then remove it from the body to promote smooth results and rapid healing with only low to minimal pain.
What happens during VASER Lipo?
First, the area to be reshaped is filled with a special saline solution that helps numb the site and shrink the blood vessels (to minimize blood loss and reduce bruising). This solution wets and fills the area to be treated, making it easier to break up fatty tissue with the VASER Lipo System’s ultrasound energy. Then a small probe transmits sound energy (similar to that used for cataract removal from the eye) to fragment fatty tissue on contact while leaving other important tissues largely intact. Finally, the liquefied fat is removed through a gentle suction process designed to minimize damage to surrounding tissues.
Is VASER Lipo right for me?
If you are frustrated by the resistance of certain body areas to diet and exercise, VASER Lipo can provide a solution. If you are healthy and seeking a fast, low-pain solution for losing stubborn fat deposits, the Lipo procedure could be your answer. Patients who say they would have never considered liposuction are now finding the VASER Lipo procedure is a minimally invasive option for the achievement of their body reshaping goals. Although there are limits to the amount of fat that can be removed, your doctor can assist you with your decision about potential areas for contouring, anticipated results, and the recovery process.
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What is LaserTight
LaserTightis a laser technology with new procedures that can vaporize tiny pockets of fat in tiny hard-to-reach areas, or in large amounts from major soft tissue collection zones.
Where can Laser tight be used?
Applications of LaserTight include Lower Eyelids, Upper arms, Back Flansks and Hip areas Chin and Neck area, brastrap and armpit areas and upper and lower thighs.
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What is Botox?
Botox is the brand name of a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In large amounts, this toxin can cause botulism, which you probably associate with food poisoning. Despite the fact that one of the most serious complications of botulism is paralysis, scientists have discovered a way to use it to human advantage. Small, diluted amounts can be directly injected into specific muscles causing controlled weakening of the muscles.
My friend has been having Botox injections to "erase" his crow's-feet. Another friend says it isn't safe because Botox is actually botulism. Why would someone want to inject botulism into his skin?
Although Botox has been used in this manner for years, it was only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic use in April 2002. (It has been approved for the treatment of several medical conditions since 1989.) Botox is a trade name for botulinum toxin A. So, in a way, your friend is correct: Botox is related to botulism. Botulism is a form of food poisoning that occurs when someone eats something containing a neurotoxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
Botulinum toxin A is successfully used to treat blepharospasm and strabismus, and botulinum toxin B has proven useful in treating cervical dystonia -- these are all conditions that in some way involve spasms, involuntary muscle contractions. Within a few hours to a couple of days after the botulinum toxin is injected into the affected muscle(s), the spasms or contractions are reduced or eliminated altogether. The effects of the treatment are not permanent, reportedly lasting anywhere from three to eight months. By injecting the toxin directly into a certain muscle or muscle group, the risk of it spreading to other areas of the body is greatly diminished.
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Q-SWITCHED ULTRALIGHT LASER
Decorative tattoos have a history dating back at least 5000 years. The desire to remove them has probably existed just as long. Early attempts to remove tattoos have had less than desirable results. The use of dermabrasion, salabrasion and Argon or C02 asers have left behind scars in place of the tattoos. The advent of the Q-Switched lasers has permitted the removal of most tattoo inks with very good results. The ULTRALIGHT Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser is the newest system in this class of lasers. This laser can significantly lighten or remove many tattoo inks, and is particularly advanced in the removal of black, blue and red inks.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The ULTRALIGHT laser removes tattoo ink with the energy of light. Just as natural sunlight is made up of light wavelengths of many colors, a laser is a device which is designed to produce one or more specific wavelengths of light. These wavelengths are either absorbed, reflected or simply passed through objects. Tattoo ink is removed by using a specific wavelength which passes through the skin but is absorbed by the ink. The rapid absorption of light energy causes the tattoo ink to break into particles small enough to be removed by the body's natural filtering system.
Medical research has taught us which wavelengths of light to use and specifically how to deliver the laser's output to best remove tattoo ink. The ULTRALIGHT laser uses a light wavelength which passes through skin, but is absorbed by most inks. The ULTRALIGHT laser delivers the energy in a very short period of time (pulse duration) for maximum ink response. The use of the wrong laser with the incorrect pulse duration can cause serious scarring. The use of this specific combination of wavelength and rapidly pulsed light results in minimal damage to the skin while providing maximum tattoo ink removal.
WHAT COLORS RESPOND THE BEST?
Black, blue, dark green and red inks are the easiest to remove. Purple, turquoise, orange and yellow can be more challenging or require more treatments. White ink is nearly impossible to remove as it does not provide the laser with any target color.
WILL IT COMPLETELY DISAPPEAR?
In many cases, yes. Greater than 90% fading of the tattoo may be accomplished. However, it is very important to know that over 100 tattoo inks are in use worldwide today, none of which are regulated by the FDA. Not knowing which tattoo ink, how deep it was placed, what color or how much ink was used makes it impossible for the laser practitioner to predict the degree of removal on any given tattoo. We are much better able to predict the outcome when we see the response to the first treatment.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS?
On the average, professional tattoos require 4-10 treatments, while amateur tattoos might only require 3-4 treatments, all spaced approximately 1-2 months apart. The number of treatments depends on the amount and type of ink used and the depth of the ink in the skin. Rarely, even more than ten treatments may be needed.
AFTERWARDS...........
When the treatment is finished, the tattoo may have a white tint over it which will only last a few minutes. It may also appear raised, swollen and much lighter. The area may continue to feel warm for an hour. Sometimes blisters may appear. Using a cool compress will greatly reduce or eliminate blistering or swelling. We will apply triple antibiotic cream and cover the tattoo. This bandage should be kept in place for the first 3-4 days. When the area first heals, you won't notice much difference. The body can take up to 3 months to digest the debris from a single treatment so fading will continue to take place. Your practitioner will decide how long to wait between treatments. As soon as the skin is completely healed, it may be re-treated.
SCARRING
It is important to remember that the process of having a tattoo applied can leave scars from the mechanical process of the needle on the skin. This is hidden by the ink and could become visible when the tattoo is removed. With that in mind, most patients do not scar at all from the treatment itself, although it is possible. Some skin types scar more easily than others. If you scar easily, you probably already know it and you'll be at a higher risk. Most patients do not scar and have excellent results. Sometimes the area where the tattoo was can appear lighter than the surrounding skin. This is almost always temporary and will blend in within months as long as care is taken to avoid the sun.
