Meet the expert
- Dr. Bruce Katz Juva Skin & Laser Center, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist with more than 30 years of experience. He is director of the Juva Skin & Laser Center in New York City, as well as clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
What is Cell-FX?
Cell-FX is a state-of-the-art device used to treat lesions (i.e., bumps and spots, including pimples, warts, moles and enlarged sebaceous glands). How does it differ from other technologies used to treat bumps? Well, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Bruce Katz, it's a new kind of energy. "It's a whole new source of energy," he explains. "It's called nanopulse stimulation. It's a very powerful, short electrical pulse. This is the first time it's been used in medicine. Dr. Anna Guanche, a dermatologist and board-certified dermatologic surgeon, adds, "Cell-FX is a device that helps improve skin tone and texture and reduce surface growths. It is a nano-pulsed or fast-pulsed electrical device that introduces energy via microneedles.
Another major distinction between Cell-FX and other lesion treatments is that it only targets the bump or spot, so you don't have to worry about damaging the healthy skin around it. "It creates what's called programmed cell death. It's very targeted, so if you're treating an acne lesion, it only affects the sebaceous gland," Katz explains. "It doesn't cause any collateral damage to surrounding tissue. And there's no thermal effect or heat, so there's no damage to collagen or blood vessels. It simply targets the cell you are aiming for.
Cell-FX is a relatively quick and painless experience - you can even do it on your lunch break and be back at the office before the hour is up.
Before your treatment, your provider will inject a local anesthetic to numb the area. Then, using a laser gun, they will target the specific lesion you want to treat. According to Katz, this gun has tiny needles that insert into the lesion, and the provider will then trigger the machine - a series of pulses lasting 10 to 15 seconds. Your provider will repeat these steps until all your lesions are treated. During treatment, you can expect to feel a little pressure when the needle is inserted. You may also feel contractions and a very slight tingling sensation from the electrical impulses. Depending on the number of lesions to be treated, the entire Cell-FX experience lasts from 10 to 15 minutes.
Potential side effects
One of the best things about Cell-FX is the minimal risk of side effects. "That's the great thing about Cell-FX, because it's so targeted that it doesn't cause any side effects on the surrounding tissue. It only treats the exact spot you're targeting," Katz explains.
Follow-up
After your Cell-FX treatment, you may experience some mild swelling and redness - and potentially some bleeding - from the site where the tiny needles were injected. Dr. Katz recommends using a gentle ointment like Aquaphor on lesions treated with Cell-FX. Parcells adds, "Most patients are able to resume routine activities after treatment. An antibacterial ointment may be recommended along with a dressing to prevent infection. Follow all post-procedure instructions provided by the physician's office.
