Considering Radiofrequency for Body Contouring

Dr Yannis Alexandrides presents his advice for successfully contouring the body with radiofrequency

The demand for body contouring is rapidly increasing,1 and interest in non-invasive approaches has also grown.2 Patient demand for non-surgical skin tightening with little downtime and preservation of the epidermis has increased by 600% in the past 15 years.3 “We’re in a digital age now where patients are much more image focused and this, of course, extends to the body too,” says plastic surgeon and founder of 111 Harley St, Dr Yannis Alexandrides. “To ensure a fully holistic approach, it is absolutely vital to ensure effective treatments for the body are available within the clinic.” According to Dr Alexandrides, patients are much more knowledgeable too, “We are also working with a much more informed population as patients are now able to research potential treatments.”

Radiofrequency as a treatment for body contouring While traditionally ablative and nonablative lasers were the primary devices to improve skin laxity non-surgically, by injuring the epidermis and causing dermal collagen remodelling and second skin tightening, these treatments came with associated risks such as burns and irreversible pigmentation changes.4 “RF is an incredibly effective, non-invasive treatment which uses a fluctuating current of electricity to create heat,5 which gets delivered at specific temperatures to the tissues in the body. This controlled heat helps stimulate new collagen6 and elastin in the tissues of the body. Collagen is a natural protein in our body’s skin which gives it its firmness, however once we enter our late 20s and early 30s, our collagen production starts to decline every year and this includes the body. That’s why treatments like radiofrequency which promote collagen are becoming incredibly popular – especially in areas such as knees, stomach and arms”, says Dr Alexandrides.

What is Thermage FLX®? Thermage FLX® is different to anything else available in the marketplace at the moment because it’s the only monopolar RF treatment that requires a single treatment as opposed to a full course. The procedure offers significant clinical improvement7 with few potential side effects and little downtime.8 In addition, Thermage® has demonstrated a good safety profile.9 The treatment can be used on all skin types3 and tones and can be done all year round. Thermage® works across the entire face, including forehead, eyes, nasolabial folds, jaw line, jowls and the area under the chin, as well as on the arms, buttocks, tummy and thighs.

Thermage FLX® advanced features:

25% faster treatments* compared to the previous Thermage CPT version: the new Total Tip 4.0 provides greater surface area coverage than the Total Tip 3.0.

AccuREP™ Technology: automatic calibration allows for optimised energy delivery, to provide consistent output.

Patient comfort:10 The system also features a new multi-directional vibrating hand-piece** to help enhance patient comfort for body and face, making the treatment much more comfortable than the previous version.

Single handpiece: consistent treatment from head to toe without the need to interchange any handpieces.

Touchscreen navigation: updated interface brings a modern look and functionality.

REFERENCES

* www.111harleystreet.com ** R&D Report *** The vibrating function is not available when using the Eye Tip 0.25 cm2 . 1. Medical Insight report Energy - Based-Body Shaping & Skin

Tightening – August 2020 2. International Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic - 2019 ISAPS. 3. Dayan E, Burns AJ, Rohrich RJ, Theodorou S. The Use of

Radiofrequency in Aesthetic Surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob

Open. 2020 Aug 17;8(8):e2861. 4. Atiyeh BS, Dibo SA. Nonsurgical nonablative treatment of aging skin: radiofrequency technologies between aggressive marketing and evidence-based efficacy. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2009;33:283–294. 5. Elsaie ML. Cutaneous remodeling and photorejuvenation using radiofrequency devices. Indian J Dermatol. 2009;54:201. 6. B. D Zelickson, et al. Histological and ultrastructural evaluation of the effects of a radiofrequency-based non-ablative dermal remodelling device: a pilot study. Arch Dermatol. 2004

Feb;140(2):204-9. 7. R. Fitzpatrick et al. Multicenter study of non-invasive radiofrequency for periorbital tissue tightening. Lasers Surg Med. 2003;33(4):232-42. 8. E. Finzi, A. Spangler. Multipass vector (mpave) technique with non ablative radio frequency to treat facial and neck laxity. Dermatol

Surg. 2005 Aug;31(8Pt1):916-22. 9. M. Fritz and al. Radiofrequency treatment for middle and lower face. Arch Facial Plast Surg. Nov-Dec 2004;6(6):370-3. 10. Solta Medical, 2009. Report on Gazelle Clinical Study 09-100-GA-T‘Validation of the Thermage 3.0cm2 STC and DC

Frame Tips, Comfort Software and Vibration Hand piece on the

Face and Thighs’ (#09-019ER). Bothell.,

This advertorial was written and supplied by Thermage FLX®

www.thermage.co.uk

®/™ are trademarks of Bausch Health Companies Inc. or its affiliates. ©2021 Bausch Health Companies Inc. or its affiliates. THR.0024.EU.21