Laser Lipo Vs CoolSculpting – A Comparison

Laser lipo vs coolSculpting, A brief comparison of both how do they work and their results

Traditionally, there has been a lot of emphasis on exercising and eating a balanced diet to maintain a moderate and healthy weight. However, advancements in modern technology have introduced multiple easy-to-execute and non-invasive ways for getting rid of excessive fat and achieving the ideal body. Laser liposuction and CoolSculpting are two such cosmetic and non-invasive procedures that can remove extra fat under the skin. Different technologies are used in both these processes to achieve an ideal body.

These processes share some similarities for e.g. they are more effective for people who are close to their ideal weight. But they also have their differences as well. In this article, we will draw a comparison between the working mechanism, effectiveness, and results from both these procedures to deduce which is the better and more suitable technique. So let’s take a look.

Working Mechanism

Laser Liposuction

• Laser liposuction, also known as laser lipolysis, uses LASER technology to remove the underneath fat. The person remains conscious during the procedure and local anesthesia is applied over the target area to minimize the discomfort. A small incision is made in the skin at the target area. This allows concentrated laser light to enter the skin and perform the fat-melting action from under the skin.

After this step, the doctors insert a small tube into the incised area and suck away the liquefied fat. The doctors then stitch up the site to prevent any infection. Laser liposuction can be performed within 60-80 minutes.

CoolSculpting

• CoolSculpting is a form of cryo-lipolysis i.e. it uses cold technology to burn away excessive fats. Lipolysis is a naturally occurring metabolic pathway in which lipid triglycerides are hydrolyzed and converted into fatty acids and glycerol. Energy is released from the hydrolyzed elements which are used for performing different activities.

Unlike Laser Liposuction, CoolScultping is a non-invasive procedure and requires no incisions. In this process, a device is held close to the treatment area which releases controlled cooling to the fat underneath. It causes the fat cells to freeze which are then consumed by the liver and eventually removed from the body as waste. CoolSculpting sessions take 30-60 minutes.

What Results Are Obtained From Both Procedures?

Both processes are performed to remove extra fat and achieve a sculpted body. However, the timing of the results differs.

Laser liposuction

• This process gives immediate results because fat is melted and sucked away in a single sitting. After the procedure, you will notice some swelling in the target areas which will go away in a couple of days. Changes in the physique will become more prominent once the swelling goes away. Long-term changes of the procedure will become apparent with the passage of time.

A lot of people prefer liposuction to other fat removal procedures because of its instant results.

CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting has a different mode of action. It does not suck out the fat as laser liposuction does, rathe relies on the body’s metabolism to remove the fat cells in a few days post-treatment. Hence, the results take longer to appear.

• Some people may notice a change in their physique in just 3 weeks, but for most people, the results become apparent in 2-3 months. CoolSculpting may require multiple sessions to achieve the desired physique, depending on the fat content inside the person’s body.

Conclusion

Both procedures are quite effective in removing excessive fat. Laser liposuction gives immediate results and does not require more than one session per area. On the downside, it involves minimal invasion and the body may require 2-4 days to recover. For CoolSculpitng, there is no downtime, but results take longer to appear.

This information has been brought to you by Alladerm.

source https://alladerm.com/laser-lipo-vs-coolsculpting/

What is PDO Thread Lift? – Understand the Basics

Learn the basics from dermatologists about the PDO thread lift

Aging is a natural process that brings multiple unwanted changes with it. Some of these changes such as the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin are more prominent and can be aesthetically unpleasant. To reverse these signs of aging and to preserve a youthful appearance, aestheticians use multiple treatments.

PDO thread lift is one such popular procedure that uses a biodegradable Polydioxanone (PDO) polyester suture to rejuvenate, tighten and lift facial skin. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in 45-60 minutes. It is a lot more convenient than facelift surgery although the results will not last for as long as the former.

Let us take a detailed look at what the PDO thread lift procedure is and what to expect from it.

PDO Threads – What Are They?

• They are a type of biodegradable sutures that are used in thread lift procedures. They start to degrade inside the human body after 6 months of insertion. Polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCA) are two other types of sutures that are used for different purposes.

Once inserted, PDO sutures interact with the skin and trigger the production of fibroblasts. As a result, collagen production is stimulated. Enhanced levels of collagen fix wrinkles and fine lines and give elasticity and structure to the skin. Hence, PDO threads are effective in reversing the signs of aging.

PDO Thread Lift – How Is It Performed?

5-8 days before undergoing the procedure, the doctor advises abstaining from the following edibles and medicines as they increase the risk of bleeding:

• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Green tea
• Advil and ibuprofen

Before performing the treatment, the doctor will walk you through it and educate you about the potential complications and aftercare routine. Following steps are performed in a PDO Thread Lift procedure:

• The patient is seated in a reclined chair. His face is disinfected with alcohol. Then local anesthesia is applied with the help of a minute needle.
• Once the anesthesia sets in, the surgeon makes a small cut in the face and inserts a tiny cannula into the gap created.
• The surgeon will then anchor the PDO thread through the cannula into the face of the patient.
• The cannula is then pulled out and excess thread is cut out after making sure that it has been securely set in place.

This procedure takes 45-60 minutes. After that, the patient is free to go home.

What to Expect After The Procedure?

• The downtime for this procedure is very limited. Since it is a minimally invasive procedure, you may experience some swelling and bruising initially. But it is not enough to keep you away from your daily routine.

Results become apparent three to five days post-treatment, once the swelling and bruising start to subside. The antiaging and face lifting results from this procedure aren’t permanent – rather they last for 1 to 3 years. The reason being that the PDO threads will eventually get absorbed by the tissues and will lose their effect.

Some of the post-treatment aftercare tips include:

• Avoid rubbing your face vigorously.
• Avoid sleeping on the side of the face where the treatment has been made for the first few weeks after the treatment.
• Sleep with your head propped up.
• Skip daily moisturizer for a few days after the treatment.
• Avoid saunas, jacuzzis, and high-intensity workouts for the first week after the surgery has been performed. Waiting this length of time is important to let the results sink in.

This information has been brought to you by Alladerm.

source https://alladerm.com/what-is-pdo-thread-lift-understand-the-basics/

How Do Photofacials Work? Understand the Basics

Learn from a top dermatologist near you, how do photofacials work and their common types

The human quest for beauty and preserving youthful looks has led to the discovery of some fascinating and effective treatments.  Nowadays, different elements of nature i.e. ice, heat and light are being used to treat certain skin problems are reverse the signs of aging. Photofacials is one such method that is used as a skin rejuvenating treatment. It uses different light-based technologies and light-emitting devices to treat hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores, wrinkles, fine lines, and acne scars.

Let us take a detailed look at photo facials, their types, working, and effectiveness in combating skin woes.

Types of Photofacials

All photofacials use some form of light. Following are the two most common types of photofacials:

• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) facial
• Light-emitting diode (LED) facial

Their names indicate the type of light being used.

IPL Facial:

•  It is also known as Pulsed Light Therapy. It makes use of broad-spectrum light which is emitted in pulses or short bursts through a handheld device. The device comes in direct contact with the skin. The penetration power of broad-spectrum light is high, so it is effective in treating damaged capillaries, sun damage, and acne scars.

LED Photofacials

These facials make use of different colors of the LED light. A handheld device is used to emit different colors which have varying effects on the skin. For e.g. blue light kills acne-causing bacteria whereas red light is said to stimulate the production of collagen which helps erase acne scars and reverse the signs of aging.

• LED light interacts with the upper layer of the skin and doesn’t go too deep into the lower layers. These facials are performed at medical centers, spas and can even be performed at home under professional guidance.

What is The Working Mechanism of Photofacials?

Both these facials interact with the skin and are absorbed by it. IPL facials are more intense and have a deeper penetration power. The light from IPL photofacial is absorbed by the hemoglobin and melanin that occur in the skin. Laser light damages the melanin which reduces its appearance on the skin. It also damages the hemoglobin which causes increased blood flow to the damaged area. As a result, the damaged melanin gets absorbed by the blood, and scars fade at a faster rate.

• LED photofacials use various lights for treating different skin issues. The working of green light is similar to IPL. It dissolves a higher concentration of melanin (i.e. hyperpigmentation) so that it can be absorbed faster.  Red light stimulates collagen production and blue light acts as a bactericidal.

How Does Getting A Photofacial Feel Like?

For IPL facials, the dermatologist will prep your skin by applying a cool gel on your face. You will then be asked to wear dark glasses to protect your eyes from the glaring light. For LED facials, all you need to do is wear glasses and sit still for the aesthetician to perform the procedure.

• The sensation is that of slight warmth. They are both quite comfortable.

How long do photofacials take?

IPL photofacials require three to six sittings. Each sitting takes usually 20-60 minutes. The sittings are planned with a gap of 25 to 30 days.

• LED photofacials also require multiple sittings. The average number of sittings needed for performing this treatment is 4-5. For more severe issues, the number of sittings can go as high as 10-12. Each sitting takes 30-60 minutes.

This information has been brought to you by Alladerm. They provide customized photofacial services.

source https://alladerm.com/how-do-photofacials-work-understand-the-basics/

Understanding the Basics of Microneedling

Learn and understand the basics of microneedling from a dermatologist near you

Collagen is the major structural protein that gives skin its texture and elasticity. Healthy skin has an ample amount of collagen. As we age, the structural breakdown of collagen occurs and the body loses its ability to produce new collagen. When this happens, fine lines and wrinkles start to appear.

The radiance, smoothness, and firmness of the skin are determined by the levels of collagen present in the skin. One way to boost collagen levels is to stimulate its production artificially. To do so, the skin is pricked with multiple small sterilized needles. They cause sub-surface wounds in the skin. This sends the body into a healing mode and stimulates the body to produce collagen and elastin to heal the pricked skin.

As a result, fresh collagen is produced at a rate higher than the normal rate of production. This heals the existing scars and gives a youthful appearance to the skin. This treatment is known as Microneedling or collagen induction therapy. This is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that helps with the following skin concerns:

• wrinkles
• Acne scars, sun spots
• alopecia
• hyperpigmentation
• stretch marks
• rosacea
• loose skin

How is Microneedling Performed?

• This treatment is performed under the supervision of experienced dermatologists or aestheticians. Some do-it-yourself micro needling kits are also available in the market, but dermatologists recommend not to perform this treatment yourself. The reason being that inexperienced individuals don’t know how to use derma roller and might end up injuring their skin. The derma roller exposes the skin to multiple contaminants and bacteria which is why proper sterilization of the equipment is crucial for performing this treatment.

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure with no downtime. The treatment can be performed in 10-20 minutes. 4-6 follow-up visits are usually required to see a difference. The treatment is performed as follows:

• A numbing cream is applied to the face. It desensitizes the area so that needle pricks cannot be felt across the face.
• Once the numbing cream sets in, the aesthetician will use a pen-shaped rolling tool and move it across your face. Multiple tiny needles protrude from the tool which causes small pricks in the face. As a result, some bleeding occurs.
• The blood is cleaned and the aesthetician applies a soothing cream or serum on your face afterward.

The rationale behind causing small punctures on the face is that the body’s healing mechanism will be activated. Collagen and elastin will rush to fill in the dents made by microneedles. Microneedling is usually performed on the face but it can also be performed on the stomach or thighs.

What to Expect Post-Treatment

Microneedling is a fairly safe process. You can continue with your routine work after getting this treatment. However, look out for the following issues post-treatment:

• Skin becomes red and irritation may occur a few days post-treatment. Redness is an indication that the skin is healing and the treatment is working. If the redness is too prominent, you may apply concealer to bring the skin to normal color when going out.
• Apply generous amounts of sunscreen when going out. The skin will have increased sensitivity to the sun after this treatment.

With the right post-treatment care, most people start to see improved skin texture a few days after the first session. Like all cosmetic procedures, micro-needling carries certain risks. Whereas mild skin irritation is normal, the following side effects may be indicators of an underlying problem. Consult the doctor if you encounter the following issues after the treatment:

• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Infection
• Peeling of skin.

This information has been brought to you by Alladerm. Contact them for more information.

source https://alladerm.com/basics-of-microneedling/