Body contouring is one of the newest advancements in medical aesthetics, and people are raving about it! Both women and men love these treatments because they are effective, easy, painless, and non-invasive. Body contouring addresses several areas of concern; fat destruction, cellulite reduction, and skin tightening. Body Contouring is a great way to kick-off a new diet and exercise regimen, or a great option to get ready for an event. Many of our patients start their Ultrashape treatment a couple of months before a cruise, spring break vacation, or wedding!
⋅ Stomach/Abs
⋅ Arms
⋅ Flanks
⋅ Hips
⋅ Thighs
⋅ Buttocks
Most patients describe the pulse as a mild tingling or “buzz” feeling, sometimes accompanied with slight warmth in the treated area. A series of three treatments will be scheduled 2-4 weeks apart, and each one will take approximately 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the size of the treatment area. UltraShape Power is a non-invasive procedure, meaning no incisions, no anesthetics, no swelling, no bruising, no pain, and no downtime.
A somewhat limited diet is recommended for 5 days after each UltraShape treatment. This includes an increased intake of water, limited fatty foods and no alcohol. Our most successful Ultrashape patients are those who significantly increased the amount of water they were drinking! This is important because this is how your body will flush out the broken down fat cells in the body. UltraShape Power destroys fat cells, leaving patients with long-lasting results so long as a healthy and active lifestyle is maintained. Results can begin to show in as little as 2-4 weeks after the first treatment, with ultimate results at 8-10 weeks (about a month after the final treatment).
Using ultrasound energy pulses, UltraShape is able to target and rupture fat cells without damaging any of the surrounding tissues. When the walls of the fat cells burst, the triglycerides that make up the inside of the cells are released and transported through the vascular and lymphatic systems to the liver, used as energy, and then processed and eliminated naturally from the body. The great part is that there is no downtime and you can return to work and your regular activities immediately after.
Now that the weather is cooling down a bit and beach trips have come to a close, it’s the time of year when we see a lot of melasma in patients. Melasma is hyperpigmented patches aka tan or brown patches usually on the cheeks and above the upper lip, and can also include the lower jawline area or middle of the forehead. Melasma is thought to be caused by sun exposure and hormonal changes. A family history of melasma may also increase your risk.
The treatment of melasma is multi-fold because we feel that not just one cream will fully do the trick. Here are some of our treatment recommendations:
1. Sun protection. You need to use a good sunscreen daily, at least on your face. Some people feel that even sun exposure on other parts of your body when not protected can also contribute to the melasma on your face–Even if your face is covered!! So if you are an avid runner or swimmer, put sunscreen on your body too.
2. Bleaching cream. Using a bleaching cream for a few months can help lighten the dark areas. We recommend using it no more than 3-4 months in a row then taking a one month break before restarting.
3. Retinoids. A retinoid can help decrease the activity of the cells that produce the pigment. They are also anti-aging and reverse sun damage, so we recommend using a small amount of tretinoin (prescription strength version available in our office) or retinol (Revision Retinol Complete, also in our office) for those who are more sensitive. Some patients who are super sensitive or pregnant can use similar medications like azelaic acid.
4. Multi-purpose cleanser. If your life is busy like ours, you want something that has multiple functions so you’re getting your face clean, but also treating sun damage and aging! Our 2 favorites are Glyderm Gentle Cleanser or Revision’s Papaya Enzyme Cleanser. They both have active ingredients that help with dullness by gentle exfoliation without being an abrasive scrub.
5. Peels. Salicylic acid peels are a great option for lightening hyperpigmentation, which we do very often. We recommend at least a series of 3 about 3-4 weeks apart. This type of peel is mild and has little to no downtime. A more aggressive peel, for those that don’t mind 5-7 days of peeling, is the ViPeel. One other option, which we love and has no downtime, is the Silkpeel Dermalinfusion, that uses a lightening peptide that Stanford created called Lumixyl… this is a great option especially around the holidays because it not only helps the brown patches, but makes your skin look hydrated and refreshed! Who doesn’t love that!?
Call or come in for a consultation to discuss any of our recommended products or peels!!
Dana Marshall MD
Ericka Fuoco, Aesthetician
