As more women and men want to look and feel better about themselves, body contouring and lipo-sculpture continue to grow in popularity, making liposuction the most popular cosmetic surgery performed today.
SmartLipo™ is the first and only laser-assisted liposuction system available meeting this need. It provides a revolutionary and minimally invasive procedure for the removal of fat using a high-powered laser to sculpt body contours and tighten skin* with less downtime and side-effects.
How does the SmartLipo procedure work?
A very small cannula, or tube, approximately 1.0mm in diameter contains the laser fiber and is inserted into the skin. The cannula is moved back and forth as the laser’s energy is delivered directly to the fat cells, making them rupture and easy to drain away. In addition, as the laser energy interacts with the dermis it results in skin shrinkage or tightening.
Due to the small size of the cannula, SmartLipo is a minimally invasive procedure and can be performed under local anesthesia. The procedure causes less bleeding, swelling and bruising, resulting in a quicker recovery time than conventional liposuction methods since the laser causes small blood vessels to coagulate immediately on contact. Because general anesthesia is not used, the procedure is very safe with minimal side effects.
Who is a good candidate for the SmartLipo procedure?
If you have areas of fat that will not respond to diet and exercise, then you’re a candidate for SmartLipo. Ideal candidates are in good health, of normal body weight and have realistic expectations for the procedure’s results.
What body regions can be treated with SmartLipo?
SmartLipo is a great adjunct to traditional liposuction procedures, though it does not replace conventional liposuction. It is ideal for treating small areas of the face, neck, arms, breasts (gynecomastia), abdomen and areas of loose and flabby skin ( floppy skin).
How many treatments will I need?
For most patients, typically only one treatment is required. The session may last from 45 minutes to one hour for each area treated.
Do I have to do anything post-treatment?
After the treatment you will need to wear a compression garment for several days to several weeks, depending on the body area being treated. Rest is recommended after the procedure and activity may be resumed gradually. Refrain from hot tubs or strenuous exercise for 2 weeks.
Does SmartLipo treat cellulite?
The procedure will improve the body’s shape and may improve cellulite to a certain degree.
When can I expect to see results?
Results can be seen as soon as a week with continued improvement over several months.
Does laser-assisted liposuction produce lasting results?
Yes! Adults do not create new fat cells. When a person gains weight, the fat cells expand. The SmartLipo procedure permanently removes the fat cells. Should you gain weight, most fat will be deposited in areas where the procedure was not performed.
*Aest. Plast. Surg. 26:335-339, 2002
The new Smart Skin & Smartxide DOT Fractional CO2 lasers combine unique micro-ablative technology to treat deep wrinkles, photoaging, acne scars and other difficult to treat skin conditions with minimal downtime. With fractional laser resurfacing the laser beam is broken into microscopic columns of laser light. When the beams strike, they leave normal surrounding skin areas intact so that the process results in very quick healing. These columns of laser light take away (or ablate) old, damaged collagen and elastic fibers so that new fresh tisue can grow into these channels. As this occurs, wrinkles and irregular pigmentation are removed, skin tightens and the skin is rejuvenated. A short series of treatments 2 to 3 weeks apart, requiring only a topical anesthetic cream, yield the best results with improvements noticed even after the first treatment. As new collagen is produced, the results are further refined over time.
This latest fractional resurfacing technology allows the physician a level of control in density and depth of treatment (ablation) not possible with previous ablative lasers. Using this technology, these lasers are ideal for full-face rejuvenation, treatment of lines and wrinkles, pigment irregularities as well as acne scars. This results in improvement in overall skin tone, texture, tightness, smoothness and pigmentation. These devices can also be used to treat the face, neck, chest and hands. It has also been found effective in treating stretch marks.
Using this technology, Dr. Bruce Katz has pioneered the New Fractional Eyelift ( known as the "Madonna Lift" ) that is safe effective treatment that tightens upper and lower eyelid skin, helps to elevate drooping eyebrows as well takes away dark circles and wrinkles. It has a good number of the benefits of a surgical eyelift without the risk and downtime.
If you have any further questions please contact our office.
Treatment options to improve the appearance of cellulite have until now, been limited. The latest technique, called subcision, is now available at JUVA. The superficial skin dimpling seen in cellulite is the result of the tension placed on the skin from the fibrous bands that course through the fat. Subcision involves inserting a specially designed needle into the fat to release these tethering bands. The process is done under local anesthesia with minimal downtime.
Juva offers the latest technology available for the treatment of acne. This treatment, a type of "photodynamic therapy" involves the use of a medication that is taken up by bacteria in the oil glands and converted into a light sensitive substance. This substance selectively absorbs the laser light, detroying the bacteria, ultimately improving acne without the side effects seen in systemic therapy.
Radiesse is a new injectable product for filling of folds and lines. The advantage of this new product is the potential for a long lasting effect.
Radiesse consists of calcium hydroxylapatite suspended in gel (carboxymethylcellulose). Because calcium hydroxylapatite is a normal constituent of bone, it should not elicit a chronic inflammatory of immune response. Additionally, the gel carrier doesn't require allergy testing such as required with collagen.
Calcium hydroxylapatite has been used in humans for a long time in prosthetic implants in dental, facial, and orthopedic surgery. Animal studies and use of the injectable product in vocal cords and bladder neck areas have shown that the product remains soft without new bone formation when injected into soft tissue. The longest term studies come from Italy suggest that Radiesse shows promise as a new agent for facial contouring with no serious side effects and reasonable efficacy and durability.
Radiesse is approved by the FDA for non-cosmetic uses, but approval for cosmetic use is expected in the near future.