Like many of you I have thought that liposuction would be a great way to get rid of the belly fat or spare tire, but old time liposuction is a very traumatic operation. Many people who have had liposuction complain of a painful recovery, have bruising for many weeks, and are often left with loose skin and lumps, bumps, and skin irregularities after liposuction.

I have been using the new laser liposuction technique called SlimLipo laser liposuction for almost a year and have been very impressed with the results. The new laser lipo technique leaves the skin looking smooth after liposuction. Laser lipo also tightens the skin as the fat is melted by the laser fiber which is placed under the skin. Thus the fat is much easier to remove after laser lipo than with the old time liposuction techniques.

Before and after pictures of laser lipo of abdomen. Notice the smooth tight skin without lumps and bumps in the after picture on the right.

How Does Laser Lipo or Laser Liposuction Work?

Laser lipo is a laser liposuction technique for removing excess or unwanted fat from beneath the skin in certain areas of the body. Most commonly laser lipo or laser liposuction is done to remove belly fat from the tummy, chin or neck fat in a double chin, and fat from the inside of the thighs, outside of the hips, and the buttocks, knees and arms.

The laser lipo liposuction procedure involves placing a tiny laser lipo fiber beneath the skin into the fat pockets under the skin, and melting the fat with laser energy. Laser lipo melts the fat into a liquid which is much easier for the plastic surgeon to remove than with traditional liposuction methods. Because the fat is a liquid it can be removed with a very tiny tube called a cannula. The cannulas used after laser lipo are 2-3 millimeters in diameter, less than half the size of the cannulas often used in old time liposuction.

The heat from the laser lipo laser fiber not only melts or liquefies the fat, but laser lipo also tightens the skin as the laser lipo procedure is done. This prevents the loose skin that is so common after traditional liposuction techniques.

Why is Laser Lipo Better than Old Time Liposuction?

While traditional non-laser liposuction has been very successful for removing fat and improving body contour, many patients are disappointed by loose or irregular skin after liposuction. As many as 20% of patients who have traditional liposuction complain of lumps, bumps, swellings, wavy lines or skin irregularities after recovering from liposuction. Plastic surgeons call these problems contour deformities. If you check your surgical consent given you before non-laser liposuction, you will read that these deformities are expected in a certain percentage of cases.

In my experience to date I have been truly amazed at how smooth the skin of my patients is after laser lipo liposuction. My opinion, based on my anecdotal experience, is that because the fat is liquefied by the laser lipo fiber before removal, the fat removal process is more uniform. Non-laser liposuction cannulas actually use strong suction pressure to pull, avulse or rip fat from beneath the skin. This technique not only causes trauma to the skin, but also leaves skipped or missed areas of fat which appear as lumps and bumps on the skin afterwards. See before and after picture below of laser lipo correction of skin deformities (circled in purple) that had been caused by old time liposuction done two years before.

Before and after pictures of laser lipo skin smoothing of abdomen. The patient had an old time liposuction 1 year before and was left with lumps and bumps which are outlined in purple on the left. On the right after laser lipo the skin is significantly smoother.

In addition, the laser lipo fiber produces heat beneath the skin which not only melts fat but also tightens the skin. This skin tightening achieved by the laser lipo laser liposculpture method helps prevent the problem of loose skin after non-laser liposuction. This is a major advance in liposuction technique in my opinion.

While skin tightening has been possible with invasive ultrasound non-laser liposuction technology, the size of the ultrasound probe and the risk of skin burn, has limited the use of this technique to the abdomen. The laser lipo fiber is so small that it can be used in any body area that can be treated with liposuction.

How is laser Lipo Done?

Laser lipo can be done under local or general anesthesia. The most important thing is that your laser lipo liposuction be done in an approved, licensed, operating room where strict sterile and surgical precautions are used. Resist the temptation to bargain shop for a low priced laser liposuction in an office. You may save money but you could lose your life to an infection.

Prior to your laser lipo liposuction procedure, a small needle will be inserted beneath your skin and a special liposuction fluid called tumescent fluid is instilled beneath the skin. The purpose of this tumescent fluid is to minimize bleeding, provide pain control for up to 24 hours, and to loosen or prepare the fat beneath the skin for later removal. The fluid causes the skin to bulge or tumesce, which makes the movement of the laser lipo fiber easier through the fat layer.

Next, very tiny holes are placed in hidden locations on your skin, for example inside the belly button, to allow the laser lipo fiber to be placed into the fat beneath the skin. The laser is turned on and the fiber is moved back and forth in the fat to dissolve the fat and tighten the skin.

After the laser lipo fiber has dissolved the fat beneath the skin, a small tube, the cannula is inserted beneath the skin and the fat removed by suction. Because the fat is now liquid, I use a small syringe to remove the fat and do not usually use the more powerful liposuction machine, unless I am treating a large area.

When finished, the tiny entrance holes are closed with one suture or a stere-strip. The area that has been treated will be placed in a tight compressive garment to support the skin.

After a brief stay in the recovery room to make sure you feel well and are stable, you will be discharged home. Usually you will return to the office in 4-5 days for an exam and suture removal if any were placed. I will ask you to bring your own garment such as a “Spanks” or other tight garment to wear home after your first office visit.

How Long Is the Recovery from Laser Lipo?

You will be up and and around, able to walk, eat, use the bathroom and perform other normal activities right after your procedure. I do ask you not to do strenuous physical exercise or heavy lifting for about a week.

In my experience, there is less bruising with laser lipo or laser liposuction than with traditional liposuction. If you do have bruising, it will likely be gone in 10 days to two weeks. I have not seen the prolonged bruising and swelling that I have seen in the past with regular liposuction.

Which Laser Lipo Machine Is Best?

I use the SlimLipo laser lipo machine made by Palomar medical. The SlimLipo laser lipo or liposuction technique uses a patented 924nm (nm stands for nanometer which is one millionth of a meter and is used to describe laser wavelength) laser wavelength. The 924nm laser wavelength is absorbed specifically by fat, and 3-5 times as much fat is released or liquefied with the 924nm laser wavelength as with other laser wavelengths used in laser lipo, the 1064nm and 1308nm laser wavelengths.

How Do I Find the Right Doctor to Do Laser Lipo?

I recommend that you consult 2 plastic surgeons that are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. There are many different doctors who advertise and do laser lipo. However, any procedure which involves treatment beneath the skin is considered surgery, and if you are having surgery of any kind, you want a board certified surgeon taking care of you. Board certified plastic surgeons spend 5-7 years of training and 2-3 years of experience before they are allowed to take the certifying examinations.

Plastic surgeons spend years learning how to provide safe surgical care and have the expertise and ability to achieve good aesthetic results. Most importantly, if anything goes wrong, they have the experience to take care of you, unlike some physicians who have never had surgical training.

Laser lipo is an exciting, remarkable, revolutionary new technique in liposuction, body contouring and body sculpting. In my personal experience it has many advantages over old time liposuction techniques.

If you are considering liposuction, please do your homework and choose an expert. The links below are excellent resources for finding the best doctor for your laser lipo procedure:

American Board of Plastic Surgery

American Society of Plastic Surgeons

American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

For more information on laser lipo please call 978-369-4499 or email us. Read our free newsletter to learn about the newest laser and non-surgical treatments for face and body rejuvenation. Read Save Your Face to learn how to prevent facial aging.

Dr. Seckel
Concord, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

Most recently two of these new techniques have been combined in one treatment and have produced the best laser resurfacing results with less down time and less risk of complications. This new technique is called combined laser skin resurfacing..

To better understand the significance of these new advances some technical knowledge of cosmetic laser skin treatments for cosmetic laser skin rejuvenation and past laser skin care technology is important.

The photo above shows the result of a full face CO2 Laser Resurfacing for wrinkle removal done 10 years ago using the Ultrapulse CO2 laser, a revolutionary advance in 1995. While the wrinkle removal results were stunning, CO2 laser resurfacing created a “burn wound” that took months of recovery and after a year often left the skin white or hypo pigmented. Because of the prolonged recovery, the need for general anesthesia, and other side effects most people today do not choose to have this effective wrinkle removing procedure.

Over the past three years the concept of Fractional Skin Rejuvenation or fractional laser skin resurfacing has evolved. With Starlux Fractional Skin Rejuvenation the laser beam, an erbium laser beam, is broken up or fractionated into many small micro beams which are separated so that when they strike the skin surface small areas of the skin between the beams are not hit by the laser and left intact. (See Figure Below.)

The small areas treated by the Starlux and Fraxel fractional micro beams, called micro treatment zones, cause sufficient laser injury to promote new collagen production to replace collagen damaged by aging and sun exposure. The new collagen produced by the laser injury “plumps” skin wrinkles. The intact skin between the micro treatment zones allows for much more rapid healing-3-4 days as opposed to 2-3 weeks for the older CO2, and enough pigment cells are left intact that hypo pigmentation does not occur.

The diagram above shows the progression of laser skin rejuvenation technology from the older CO2 on the left to the newest Starlux fractional ablative lasers which have just been released. The Fraxel laser and the Starlux 1540 are depicted in the 3^rd illustration under Non ablative fractional laser resurfacing.

Starlux Fractional Non Ablative Laser Resurfacing

To ablate means to “surgically remove”. The Fraxel and Starlux1540 are non ablative lasers which mean that when the laser beam strikes the skin the skin is not removed immediately, rather the laser beam heats the skin to cause inflammation and new collagen production. The benefits of the Starlux 1540 non ablative laser skin treatments are dramatically reduced recovery time, but the results in terms of wrinkle removal and skin tightening are less dramatic than with ablative lasers.

However, the new Starlux 1540 fractional lasers are able to penetrate much deeper than traditional non fractional ablative lasers and we are discovering that deeper penetration of the laser produces a much more dramatic stimulation of new collagen formation which translates into a plumping effect on the skin. This is particularly useful in treating depressed acne scars.

Another diagram which helps explain the Starlux 1540 effect is the microscopic section of skin that has been treated with the Starlux fractional laser below.

In summary, the benefits of Starlux fractional non ablative laser skin treatments are:

1. Less down time- only pink skin for 1-2 days and a day or so of bronzing that can be covered with make up
2. Better new collagen production in the deeper skin layers causing skin plumping especially of acne scars
3. Fewer complications like hyper pigmentation (although with Fraxel there is a 15% incidence of hyper pigmentation (darkening of treated areas) especially in dark skinned people, but it is temporary.
4. Improvement in skin texture and possibly enlarged pores
5. Improvement in wrinkles (See Photos below of Lux 1540 Results)

Above-Before and after Starlux 1540 non-ablative fractional laser skin resurfacing, treatment-Photos courtesy of Palomar and Dr Dwight Scarborough

Starlux Fractional Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Recently several new fractional ablative lasers have been developed which have the benefits of fractional treatments, less down time and complications, as well as the benefits of ablative skin resurfacing, better wrinkle removal and facial rejuvenation. The Starlux fractional ablative lasers are depicted in the last or 4^th picture in the first comparative fractional laser diagram above.

The fractional ablative lasers remove the tissue in the micro treatment zone rather than just heating it as is done with Fraxel and the Starlux 1540.

The benefit of ablation is that more sun damaged, wrinkled skin is removed than with the Starlux 1540 or Fraxel, and better wrinkle removal and skin surface smoothing and textural improvement is achieved. This however comes at the price of some recovery time, redness and pinkness for 4-6 days. The Starlux fractional ablative lasers however require much less recovery time than the traditional non fractional erbium and CO2 ablative lasers which required weeks of recovery. Reliant, the company that makes Fraxel has released a new CO2 fractional laser called the Repair, Lumenis has released a CO2 fractional ablative laser called ActiveFX and DeepFx for Bridge Therapy, and Palomar has released the Starlux 2940, an Erbium fractional ablative skin resurfacing laser.

Impressive wrinkle removal and improvement in skin texture is achieved with the Starlux 2940 fractional ablative laser (see Photos of my patients Below).

Above: Before and after Starlux 2940 fractional laser skin resurfacing.

Combined Laser Skin Resurfacing-The Future of Laser Skin Resurfacing

More recently we have been combining a non-ablative 1540 or 1440nm Starlux laser treatment with an ablative Starlux 2940 treatment at the same procedure. The theory is that by combining the deep collagen stimulation of the non-ablative treatment with the more superficial ablative 2940 treatment the results would be better. In fact the results are dramatically better with the same reduced downtime achieved by the Erbium laser. In fact, the results are in many cases equal to the wrinkle reducing results of the traditional CO2 resurfacing without the hypo pigmentation, down time and risk of scarring associated with the CO2 laser. See the remarkable results below:

Above: Before and after Starlux 1540 and 2940 combined fractional laser skin resurfacing.

Above: Before and after Starlux 1540 and 2940 combined fractional laser skin resurfacing.

The first non ablative fractional laser on the market was the Fraxel. The Starlux 1540 and 2940 are newer and improved fractional laser skin resurfacing technology. Combining these two new laser modalities into one combined laser skin resurfacing treatment provides the best resurfacing results I have seen in 14 years of doing laser resurfacing.

The field of laser skin rejuvenation is advancing rapidly and new technological breakthroughs like combined laser resurfacing occur frequently. The benefit to you is that better wrinkle removal results are possible with less down time and fewer potential side effects.

The applications of fractional laser technology are expanding to other fields like skin tightening and eventually to fat and cellulite removal.

For further information on the Combined Laser Skin Resurfacing with the Starlux fractional erbium laser for skin rejuvenation and facial aging read Save Your Face or contact me. In my practice I use the new Starlux 1540 Fractional Non ablative erbium laser and the Starlux 2940 ablative fractional laser for skin rejuvenation.

Be sure to sign up fro my free email newsletter to keep up on new developments.

Dr Seckel
978-369-4499

Concord, Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts

]]> http://drseckel.com/combined-laser-resurfacing/combined-laser-skin-resurfacing/feed/ 0 http://drseckel.com/lifesculpt/lifesculpt-laser-lipo-with-slim-lipo/ http://drseckel.com/lifesculpt/lifesculpt-laser-lipo-with-slim-lipo/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:56:26 +0000 drseckel http://drseckel.com/lifesculpt/lifesculpt-laser-lipo-with-slim-lipo/ LifeSculpt is a new laser lipo or laser liposuction technique which harnesses the power of the laser to melt fat and tighten skin for true laser body sculpting.

For those of us who have watched our diet and exercised and still see fat on our bodies that we do not like, liposuction is a reasonable option to consider. New laser liposuction techniques are less traumatic than older liposuction and results of the new laser liposuction, using the new SlimLipo laser liposuction LifeSculpt technique in my Boston area practice have been excellent.

Because the laser melts fat before removal, laser liposuction leaves smoother skin after liposuction in my experience. Laser lipo using LifeSculpt also tightens the skin during the laser liposuction process, a definite advantage over old time liposuction.

I use the SlimLipo laser lipo LifeSculpt technique because it has many advantages over SmartLipo, Cool Lipo, ProLipo and Lipotherme in my opinion. I believe that the SlimLipo LifeSculpt laser lipo technique is the most effective and safest laser liposuction method available today.

In the article below I will compare the various laser liposuction technologies and try to explain why I use the SlimLipo LifeSculpt method for laser lipo. Once you understand how laser liposuction works and the difference between the various machines, then you will be able to choose which is the best laser liposuction technique for you.

There are very significant differences between the major laser liposuction machines in use today. Because of patent restrictions, many companies have had to use wavelengths that are not the most effective for fat removal. In the article below I will first try to explain the procedure and then describe the technologies used in the most widely used machines.

How Does LifeSculpt Laser Lipo Work?

Older standard liposuction techniques removed fat by inserting a metal tube called a cannula beneath the skin to remove fat by aspiration with high powered suction. The fat cells are actually ruptured and sucked out from beneath the skin. Other supporting tissues beneath the skin are also removed which can lead to lose skin and skin sag after standard old time liposuction. This procedure is quite traumatic and can produce bruising and swelling and post operative pain which can lead to a prolonged recovery. Results for fat removal are excellent, however lack of uniformity of skin appearance and loose skin after the procedure have been reported in as many as 20 % of patients.

The new SlimLipo LifeSculpt laser lipo technique first involves the placement of a tiny laser fiber beneath the skin to melt or liquefy the fat before removal. This allows for a much less traumatic fat removal because much smaller aspiration cannulas can be used and there is less tissue trauma and injury to the non fatty tissues. After the laser fat melting process a small cannula about half the size of the older cannulas is used to remove the liquefied fat.

In addition, the heat generated by the laser causes the skin to tighten, and results in my Boston area patients have shown improved skin tightening following laser liposuction. See before and after pictures of SlimLipo LifeSculpt a href=”http://drseckel.com/laser-body-sculpting/laser-body-sculpting-2/”>laser liposuction for laser body sculpting and mini tummy tuck of abdomen below:

Above: Before and after SlimLipo laser liposuction and mini tummy tuck for laser body sculpting of the abdomen to create a 6 pack appearance.

In addition to liquefaction or melting of fat, many more fat cells are injured by the laser and are reabsorbed by the tissues, so that fat volumes that are removed are typically less using this new technology. In some cases where very small areas of fat need to be removed, the laser liposuction treatment is all that is necessary and no suctioning has to be done.

SlimLipo LifeSculpt Laser Lipo Machine

SlimLipo laser liposuction LifeSculpt technique uses a patented 924nm laser wavelength to melt fat. The 924nm laser is the most specifically and highly absorbed laser wavelength by fat tissue. The 924nm laser melts 3-5 times as much volume of fat as the other wavelengths in use today. The SlimLipo uses a 924nm/975nm blended wavelength for skin tightening effect. See before and after pictures of LifeSculpt laser lipo fat removal and skin tightening to correct double chin below:

Above: before and after Slimlipo laser liposuction of neck and small chin implant to tighten skin and melt fat to correct a double chin.

In the LifeSculpt procedure I use SlimLipo as a tumescent laser liposuction technique which lessens bruising and provides pain control.

SmartLipo MPX Laser liposuction Machine

SmartLipo was the first machine on the market. The original SmartLipo used a 1064nm wavelength to melt fat. The target of the 1064nm is water, thus the SmartLipo melted fat by heating the water in the fat and the fat is melted secondarily.

Recently, SmartLipo MPX has been introduced, which uses a combination 1064nm and a 1320nm laser to improve fat melting. In the resource box below you can link to a video which shows a comparison of the fat melting power of the SlimLipo vs. the SmartLipo MPX technology.

Cool Lipo Laser Liposuction Machine

Cool Lipo uses a 1320nm laser wavelength to dissolve fat. Although the 1320nm wavelength has better fat absorption than the 1064nm wavelength, water is still the primary target of the 1320nm. Thus the fat melting mechanism is the same for the 1320nm as with the 1064nm used in SmartLipo.

Lipotherme Laser Liposuction Machine

Lipotherme is a new entry in this field and uses a 980nm wavelength for fat melting. Again the primary target of the 980nm wavelength is water, so again this new technology melts fat by first heating water rather than by fat absorption of the wavelength.

ProLipo Laser Liposuction Machine

ProLipo laser liposuction also uses a combination of 1064nm and 1319nm laser wavelengths to melt fat. As with other similar devices mentioned above, the primary target of 1064nm and 1319nm is water and has the same disadvantages mentioned earlier.

Why is laser Wavelength So Important in Laser Lipo?

Two major laser liposuction issues that the appropriate laser wavelength solves are:

• Efficient Uniform Fat Melting
• Safety (Less Thermal Injury or Risk of Burn)

The importance of using the appropriate wavelength to melt fat is that the greater the absorption by the fat of the laser energy, the easier and more complete the fat melting process. This is graphically demonstrated in the video link below:

Laser liposuction video comparing SlimLipo, SmartLipo, Cool Lipo, ProLipo and Lipotherme.

Not only is the 924nm wavelength used in SlimLipo capable of liquefying 3-5 times as much fat per unit of energy as the other technologies, but the fat melting mechanism is entirely different. The 924nm is completely absorbed by fat and a much larger area of fat is dissolved. The other lasers which use water targeted wavelengths have to heat water to boiling and the water the heats and destroys the fat. This water heating process is slower, less efficient and as can be seen in video is essentially chipping away at fat.

The heat generated by the water absorbed lasers is also a concern as the higher temperatures generated by the water heating lasers may be more prone to cause heat injury or burning in the dermis, the deep layer of the skin.

Below is a computer simulation showing the spread of heat to the skin. It is important to keep the heat from affecting the dermis of the skin, as heat transferred to the dermis can cause a skin burn. In the diagram below the laser is shown firing at each wavelength for the same time and same energy level. Note the line that shows dermis above and fat below. The red, yellow and light blue at the tip of the laser fiber show the laser heat being delivered into the tissues.

Notice that only the 924nm used in SlimLipo places all of the heat into the fat which is the appropriate target. Since the skin contains high water content, the 1064nm. 1320nm and 980nm lasers also send heat into the dermis layer of the skin (note yellow and light blue that is heat) in the dermis above the fat. This can lead to skin burns-See photo below:

Above: Picture of heat generated by various laser liposuction wavelengths. Note yellow and light blue above the line into Dermis risks skin injury. The 924nm SlimLipo laser (Top Left) is absorbed by fat and heat is less likely to spill over into the dermis of the skin.

Who Should Do Your LifeSculpt Procedure?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure no matter what the internet marketing campaigns imply. My opinion is that I personally would only want a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon performing this procedure on me or one of my loved ones. This is the advice I give to people who ask about laser liposuction,

Be very careful and study the credentials of your doctor. There are many doctors today who advertise themselves as Cosmetic Surgeons who have never had one day of surgical training. Check the credentials of your doctor by visiting the website of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

There are many Board Certified Dermatologists who do this procedure and I am sure some are very good. However when you have surgery of any kind, it is essential that your doctor has had the appropriate surgical training to take care of you if something goes wrong.

Do your homework and protect yourself. LifeSculpt using SlimLipo laser suction is effective even in older patients as the before and after pictures of SlimLipo laser liposuction of the abdomen in a 70 year old patient show below:

Above: before and after picture of SlimLipo laser liposuction of abdomen in 70 year old patient-note skin tightening as well as fat removal.

For more information on LifeSculpt, SlimLipo and laser liposuction call 978-369-4499 or email us. Read our free newsletter to learn more about plastic surgery, laser and non-surgical face and body rejuvenation, and skin care. Read Save Your Face to learn how to prevent facial aging.

Dr. Seckel
Concord, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

Above: Before and after laser spider vein removal (Palomar-Khatri)

None of us like to see spider veins and leg veins on our calves, thighs and ankles. They make our legs look old. Spider veins and leg veins are particularly embarrassing when we wear a bathing suit at the beach. Older methods for removing spider veins and leg veins required painful injections and caused bruising. However, new 1064 laser methods are much less painful, effective, and do not cause bruising or down time. These new methods are quick and simple, but they must be done while you do not have a tan. It is best to have these treatments now, during the spring, before the beach and tanning season starts.

How to Remove Spider Veins and Leg Veins

All non-surgical therapies to remove leg veins work by injuring the inside of the vessel wall. The injury causes the blood vessel to close and disappear. Older injection techniques such as sclerotherapy injected a strong irritant into the vessel to cause the vessel to close down.

Newer laser light based methods use a properly selected light wavelength which is absorbed by the blood inside the vein, causes the blood to boil, which injures the vessel wall and causes the vessel to close.

The best laser wavelength for spider vein removal is the 1064nm laser.

Unlike earlier laser spider vein treatments with the Pulsed Dye laser, the newer 1064nm treatments do not burst the vessel, but work gradually, thus there is less risk of bruising.

Above: Before and after 1064+ laser spider vein and leg vein removal (Palomar-Patterson)

The newer 1064nm lasers have excellent cooling tips to prevent skin injury during treatment.

What Are Laser Spider Vein Treatments Like?

Most treatments take about half an hour. A soothing cool gel is placed on the skin to be treated. This gel is not only for your comfort, but also to improve effectiveness of the treatment and help avoid skin injury.

The small special cooling tip of the laser is pressed over the area to be treated and the laser light is flashed repeatedly along the course of the vessel to be removed.

You and the person treating you will be wearing special protective eyeglasses or goggles to protect the eyes during treatment.

Does Laser Spider Vein Removal Hurt?

The new improved cooling tip makes these treatments much more comfortable than earlier methods. All patients are able to undergo this treatment without anesthesia or pain killers.

I compare the sensation to a brief snap of a rubber band. Most patients find the noise of the laser to be more startling than the sensation on the skin.

What Will My Skin Look Like After Treatment?

The skin overlying the treated blood vessel will appear pink right after treatment. The pink or red color lasts a few hours to a day.

The major advantage of the 1064nm is that it does not rupture the vein as did older pulsed dye lasers. This is a major benefit which reduces down time. The older pulsed dye caused bruising that could take weeks to go away.

When Do I See A Result?

The new methods cause a gradual shrinkage and closure of the vessel. This generally takes about 5 weeks. Some spider veins disappear immediately during treatment, but larger vessels will close gradually after a few weeks.

You will see the vessels getting smaller as the days go by.

How many Laser Spider Vein Treatments Will I Need?

It is impossible to close all vessels during the first treatment. Usually 3 treatments scheduled 5 weeks apart are required. The third treatment is a cleanup treatment to remove small vessels left behind.

Will I have Downtime after Laser Spider Vein Treatment?

You will not have down time due to pain, bruising or other visible marks.

However I do recommend that you wear compression stockings for a period after treatment. The compression stockings prevent blood from flowing back into the vessel as the vessel is closing down.

I also recommend that you avoid heavy lifting and weight lifting and running for about 10 days to two weeks after treatment.

What Is The Best Laser for Spider Vein Removal?

The 1064nm is the preferred and most widely used for spider vein and leg vein removal.

I have used several different brands and am happiest with the Palomar Lux1064+. The characteristic of this machines pulse width and cooling tip have produced better vessel removal results and less discomfort in my patients, than others I have used.

Where Should I Have My Laser Spider Vein treatment?

This is a controversial question. Many Spas and medical Spas offer laser spider vein treatments in their facility when no supervising doctor is present.

Lasers are very effective but potentially dangerous medical devices that must be used by properly trained and supervised personnel. In my office, a nurse or medical aesthetician that I have trained and directly supervise does these treatments.

My own opinion is that lasers should only be used in a licensed medical office under the supervision of a physician who is present in the facility. The presence of an experienced board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist is an important safety feature for you the patient.

For more information on laser spider vein and leg vein removal call 978-369-4499 or email us. Read our free newsletter to learn more about laser and non-surgical face and body rejuvenation. Read Save Your Face to learn how to prevent facial aging.

Dr. Seckel
Concord, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

Before and after pictures of the eyelid surgery procedure called blepharoplasty are excellent ways to see what new modern eyelid surgery techniques can achieve.

Before and After Pictures of 4 Lid Laser Blepharoplasty Eyelid Surgery

Above: before and after laser blepharoplasty of upper and lower eyelids—notice removal of eye hoods, removal of eye bags and smoothing of lower eyelid skin by laser resurfacing.

Before and After Laser Eyelid Surgery for Correction of Dark Circles under Eyes and Removal of Eye Hooding

Above: Before and after removal of dark circles under eyes and eyelid hooding with eyelid surgery called laser arcus marginalis release, fat grafting, and upper blepharoplasty.

Before and After Eyelid Surgery to Remove Eye Bags and Puffy Eyes
Above: before and after pictures of laser eyelid surgery for correction of severe eye bags-surgery done on inside of lower eyelid, thus there is no visible incision.

Before and After Pictures of Laser Eyelid Surgery and Brow Lift To Correct Hooding of Eyes and Brow Sagging.

Above: before and after brow lift and 4 lid eyelid surgery to open eyes, remove hoods and eye bags.

Before and After Eyelid Surgery To Remove dark Eye Circles, Eye Bags and Laser Resurfacing to Remove Eye Wrinkles and Loose Skin.
Above: before and after pictures of eyelid surgery to remove dark eye circles, wrinkles and eye bags.

Before and After Asian Eyelid Surgery to Remove Aging Changes of Asian Eyelid

Above: before and after Asian eyelid surgery to create a double fold and correct aging changes of the Asian eyelid.

Modern eyelid surgery includes the use of the laser, incisions on the inside of the eyelid called a transconjunctival incision (in the conjunctiva-the pink inside portion of the eyelid), and fat repositioning or fat grafting to improve the look of the eyelid and avoid the hollow eye.

Benefits of the modern approach to eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty include:

• Quicker Recovery
• Less Bruising
• No Visible Incision On lower Eyelid
• Avoid the Hollow Eye Look
• Avoid the Sad Eyed Look
• A Natural Un-operated Look After eyelid Surgery

For more information on eyelid surgery and blepharoplasty call 978-369-4499 or email us. Read our free newsletter to learn about new face, eyelid and body rejuvenation techniques. Read Save Your Face to learn how to prevent facial aging.

Dr Seckel
Concord, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

Botox or Botulinum Toxin A can do much more for your health and well being than removing wrinkles from your face. Contrary to popular myth, Botox or Botulinum Toxin A is not like getting food poisoning. Botox or Botulinum Toxin A is a very effective helpful medication for many serious human illnesses.

Botox has been used safely for over 30 years and has helped many thousands of people. Botox or Botulinum A injections do not leave you without facial expression looking like a figure in a wax museum if injections are done by an expert and not at a Botox party. Botox injections can cure headaches, fix a lazy or crooked eye, relieve muscle spasm, help stroke patients, relieve bladder incontinence, stop tics and facial twitches, help back pain, and reduce excessive sweating as well as many cosmetic wrinkle reducing applications.

Botox or Botulinum A has an incredible safety record when administered by an experienced licensed physician, however Botox parties and other unlicensed uses have resulted in complications and unhappy results.

There is, however, much confusion and misinformation about Botox and Botulinum Toxin A in the popular media which has frightened many people who potentially could be helped by this remarkable medicine.

Most negative news about Botox is the result of misuse of this medication by inexperienced or non-licensed users of Botulinum Toxin A often taking place in non-licensed or non-medical facilities.

The most widely used indications for Botox are certainly cosmetic. Wrinkle removal, brow lifting, removal of crow’s feet, frown lines, worry lines, lip lines and the liquid face lift are the most common day to day uses of Botox or Botulinum Toxin A.

Above: Before and after botox injection to remove lip lines and lift the lower face and mouth with liquid face lift.

However, many more serious medical uses are available that can help people lead more comfortable lives after suffering very serious medical illnesses.

In this article I will give an objective description of Botox, how it is used, what it can achieve, and how it can be safely administered. Hopefully, the reader will be more accurately informed about this very helpful medication and learn how Botox may be used to help you, a friend or family member improve very common medical problems.

What Is Botox?

Botox or Botulinum Toxin A is a highly diluted synthetic medical grade medication which weakens muscles when injected directly into the muscle fiber.

Botulinum toxin in nature is produced by bacteria called Clostridium Botulinum whose spores are widely distributed in the soil, ocean sediments, and can be found on many fruits and vegetables. The spores are harmless. However, under the right conditions, that lack oxygen, spores can produce the bacteria, Clostridium Botulinum which can produce the natural toxin. Natural Botulinum toxin which can cause muscle paralysis. The most common cause is food poisoning from ingesting improperly preserved food.

The muscle relaxing effect of Botulinum Toxin has been harnessed to provide many beneficial medical treatments by synthesizing a diluted safe form of Botulinum A toxin called Botox that can safely be used under medical supervision.

How Does Botox Work?

Botulinum Toxin A works directly on the muscle fiber to weaken the contraction of the muscle. All of our muscles are attached to nerves. When we flex, tighten or contract a muscle, the nerve sends electrical impulses to the muscle to make the muscle tighten. The nerves connect to the muscle at a specific point called the neuromuscular junction (nerve to muscle connection). Actually, the end of the nerve is not in direct contact with the muscle.

There is a small space between the nerve ending and the muscle. When the nerve impulse or electrical message gets to the end of the nerve, a chemical called Acetylcholene is released from the nerve, travels across the small gap to the muscle, and stimulates or causes the muscle to contract.

Botox works by blocking the action of Acetylcholine on the muscle, thus the muscle relaxes when the Acetylcholine is blocked.

This muscle relaxing effect is very useful medically in any condition in which increased or excessive muscle tone or spasm is causing pain or disability.

In addition, all of our muscles have a normal resting muscle tone or tension even when we are not actively contracting the muscle. In our facial muscles that cause expression lines such as crow’s feet, worry lines and frown lines, this resting tone causes these lines. Injections can relax the resting muscle tone that is pulling on the skin and causing lines.

This is a direct effect and is produced by the direct injection of the Botulinum Toxin A into the muscle.

How to Use Botox–What Can Botulinum Toxin A Do for You?

• Headache-Botox injections into painful trigger points where headaches and migraine headaches start can produce dramatic relief for people who suffer headache.

• Excessive sweating-Because Acetylcholine also causes sweat glands to produce sweat and Botox injections can significantly reduce sweating in the palms, feet and underarm areas. This can eliminate wet lines caused by sweating on dresses during high stress times such as weddings.

• Bladder control-Many people suffer from urinary incontinence from spastic bladders. Urologists can use injections of Botox to relieve bladder spasm and reduce incontinence.

• Relieve spasms, twitches, back pain-Muscle spasms are painful and disabling in many conditions such as Torticollis (neck spasms), back spasms, cerebral palsy, after stroke and other spastic conditions. Relaxing muscle spasms with Botox can help both function and pain control

• Correct lazy eye-Ophthalmologists can use Botox to specifically relax eye muscles that cause lazy eye, strabismus and crossed eyes.

• Facial and Eye Spasms and Tics-Many people suffer from facial and eyelid twitches called tics that can be relieved by Botulinum Toxin A injections.

• Help Stroke victims-Many people are disabled by spasm and over activity of muscles affected by stroke. Properly placed Botox injections can be very helpful in relaxing spastic muscles that interfere with normal activities.

• Reduce squinting-Botulinum Toxin A injections can reduce unwanted facial grimacing and squinting

Above: Before and after Botox injection to reduce squinting, crow’s feet and eye wrinkles.

• Cosmetic applications-Cosmetic applications are the most commonly used forms of Botox therapy. Frown lines, worry lines, lip lines, crow’s feet can all be lessened. Newer liquid face lift techniques can lift the corner of the mouth and improve jowls. A botox brow lift is also possible.

Above: Before and after Botox injections, eye lift and brow lift to open the eyes and reduce frown lines.

Does Botox Get Rid of Wrinkles?

Botulinum Toxin A relaxes the muscles that cause specific wrinkles or lines in the face. These lines or wrinkles occur because of tension or contraction of the muscles of facial expression. These muscles only function is expression. They are not involved in necessary function such as chewing smiling, eye blinking and other important functions.

The lines or wrinkles that can be helped or reduced are the frown lines, worry lines, crow’s feet, lip lines and lines that pull the lower lip down and accentuate the jowls.

Some wrinkles are permanent indentations in the skin caused by years of muscle pull and aging of the skin caused by sun damage. These wrinkles will not be helped. Other wrinkles on the face caused by aging and sun damage that are not caused by muscle pull cannot be helped with Botulinum Toxin A.

Does Botox Lift the Face-Is Botox Non-surgical Face Lift True?

No. Botulinum Toxin A relaxes muscles and does not tighten or lift any part of the face. However, some muscles around the mouth pull the lower face down and create jowls and marionette lines. If these muscles are relaxed with Botox, the lower face is lifted by the upper face muscles, thus a Botox lower face and mouth lift is possible.

Botox is used along with facial fillers like Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, Perlane and Evolence to relax muscles that are pulling the corners of the mouth down which allows the corner of the mouth to be lifted by unopposed muscle action and the plumping effect of the filler. These techniques are referred to as a liquid face lift.

How is Botox Given?

Injections are done through a very tiny 32 gauge needle and are relatively painless. I use a topical anesthetic and cool the muscle and skin with ice or a special chilled Titanium roller. When using these techniques, many patients say they do not even feel the injection.

How Close to A Special Event Should I Get Treatment?

I recommend at least a week or two before a special event. The Botulinum Toxin A works fast, in a day or so but full effect can take two weeks. The main reason to start early is in case you bruise. You will need 10 days to two weeks for the bruise to completely resolve.

Will I Bruise After My Botox Injection?

Bruising after injection happens 10-20 per cent of the time and nearly 100% of bruises occur during injection of the crow’s feet area. This is because there are so many tiny blood vessels around the eyes and the skin is very thin and fragile. I try very carefully to see and avoid these tiny vessels but sometimes they are invisible and a small bruise occurs. We apply pressure and cold packs immediately after injection which also helps avoid bruising.

How To Avoid Bruising After Injection?

Be sure to avoid aspirin or any blood thinning agent before Botulinum Toxin A injection. Careful technique to avoid any small blood vessels helps a great deal. Cold packs prior to injection shrink the vessels and lessen the risk of a bruise. Pressure and cold packs immediately after injection also helps avoid bruising.

I also recommend taking the herb Arnica Montana either before or immediately after injection which also can help with bruising.

When Will I See Results of My Injection?

You will see results in 24 hours after injection. Full effects can take up to two weeks to be seen.

What If I Do Not Respond To My Injection?

Very small per cent ages of patients just do not respond to Botulinum Toxin A. In my experience only about 1 or 2 % of patients fail to have a response. In all cases, the non-responders have been dark skinned people of Mediterranean or Southern European extraction and have had larger than usual muscles. In contrast, Northern European people, very thin skinned fair complected people usually have excellent results that can often last longer than usual.

Another possibility if you do not respond is that diluted, out of date solution was used or the injection technique was not proper. Be concerned if the price is lower than average-you usually are getting diluted Botulinum Toxin A which will not be effective. Also, only have injections by board certified plastic surgeons and dermatologists who do a lot of these treatments. Experience and technique are very important to achieve the best result.

What Should I Avoid Before Having An Injection?

Avoid aspirin and other blood thinning medications prior to injection.

Also avoid heavy exercise and exertion before and the first day as increased heart rate and blood pressure will increase the risk of bruising.

How Long Does Botox Last?

On average, to maintain the best possible correction, plan on repeating your treatments every 3-4 months.

While the effect may last 6-12 months in some people, especially fair thin skinned people, as the effect wears off wrinkles will return.

Is Botox safe?

Yes, when pharmaceutical grade Botulinum Toxin A manufactured by Allergan is injected in the proper dosage, with proper technique by an appropriately trained and experienced physician.

What Are Potential Complications?

The most common complication is inadvertent injection into the wrong muscle. If this happens, the eyelid can droop temporarily for about 2-3 weeks, but this is reversible once the injection wears off.

Occasionally when used to correct lip lines pursing action of the muscle when whistling or drinking through a straw can be compromised. This also will return to normal in 2-3 weeks.

Other uncommon temporary side effects can include headache, flu like syndrome, and nausea, but they are very unusual in my experience. A definite causal relationship of these symptoms with Botulinum Toxin A has not been established.

How Will I know If I Have A Bad Reaction?

You will notice any weakness in the eyelid or mouth within 3-4 days. Be patient, notify your doctor and you will recover.

If you develop a headache or flu like syndrome in the first few days afterinjection, notify your doctor, and discuss whether you are a candidate for further injections in the future.

Who Should Give These Injections?

This is a controversial topic. Many physicians have delegated injections to a nurse or PA which is legal in some states.

My own policy is that I do the injections myself. I have knowledge of the muscle anatomy from direct observation in surgery and the aesthetic experience and judgment to evaluate what technique and location of injection will give you the best result.

I personally believe that an experienced board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist who does these injections frequently is your best chance for the best possible result.

How Much Do Injections Cost?

Prices vary according to geographical location and the experience and skill of the doctor doing your injection.

Nationally cost is $15-$20 per unit injected and the average treatment uses 25-50 international units (IU’s). Thus a treatment can cost $350 to $1000 depending on the amount used and the experience, skill and reputation of your doctor.

Be suspicious of low priced injections. Unscrupulous providers can dilute the product and your result will be compromised. Obviously less experienced, less busy doctors may cut prices to stimulate demand.

Where Can I Learn More?

There is a great deal of information on the web. However, much of it is advertising and marketing that often makes outrageous claims.

Allergan, the company that makes this medicine, has a good website which provides objective information.

You can also read answers to patient questions about Botox in Boston.

You can also see before and after pictures of Botox treatments for frown lines, crow’s feet, brow lift and lip lines.

For more infromation on Botox and Botulinum Toxin A call 978-369-4499 or email us. Read our free newsletter to learn more about non-surgical face and body rejuvenation. Read Save Your Face to learn how to prevent facial aging.

Dr. Seckel
Concord, Massachusetts
Boston Massachusetts

Asian eyes are beautiful eyes and as we age, the eyes are the first facial feature to show aging changes and loose skin and puffiness can hide a beautiful fresh exotic look. Asian modern blepharoplasty can restore the Asian eyelid to a beautiful young appearance, however expert technique is essential. Many of today’s plastic surgeons assume, incorrectly that Asian women seeking blepharoplasty are looking for a wide eyed, round eyed Caucasian or Western look, and do the wrong type of Asian Blepharoplasty which ruins the lovely Asian eyelid look.

The best Asian Blepharoplasty preserves the fold near the nose and the normal slanted shape of the Asian eyelid. Also it is very important to leave a small fold of skin which falls over the incision and hides the incision so that you cannot see the scar. It is also very important not to remove too much fat from the Asian eyelid or the eye will look hollow.

What Is Different About the Asian Eyelid?

The main difference between the Asian and Occidental upper eyelid is the attachment of a small muscle called the Levator Palpebrae Superioris. This muscle lifts the eyelid upward to open the eye. In the Occidental this muscle is attached to the skin about 8 to 12 millimeters above the eyelashes so that when the muscle pulls on the skin to open the eye, a fold or line is created. This line is called the Supratarsal (above the tarsus or lower edge of the eyelid) Fold. This fold is visible about 10 millimeters above the eyelashes when the eye is open in most women, and is called the double eyelid fold or double eyelid crease.

In the Asian eyelid this muscle attaches very weakly or not at all to the skin but does attach to the tarsus which allows the eye to be pulled up and opened. Because the muscle is not attached to the eyelid skin when the muscle pulls up, the Supratarsal Fold or crease does not appear. In many peope a small double fold is present, but it is very low, only 3-5 millimeters from the lashes. Thus the Supratarsal Fold or double eyelid fold or crease is low, about 3-5 millimeters above the lashes or not present at all if there is no muscle attachment to the skin.

The fat distribution in the upper Asian eyelid is also different in that the fat is present across the entire upper eyelid and not limited to two deep pockets as it is in the occidental eyelid. This makes the Asian eyelid look fuller.

What is the Asian Blepharoplasty Technique?

The modern eyelid rejuvenation blepharoplasty operation starts with an incision placed in the eyelid skin along the exact position of the desired post operative Supra tarsal fold or upper eyelid fold. In Occidentals this line is placed from 10-12 millimeters above the eyelashes. This results in a normal visible fold 10-12 millimeters above the eyelashes when the eye is open. Loose skin is removed. Also any protruding or bulging fat that is causing eye bags or puffy eyes is also removed during the Caucasian or Occidental blepharoplasty.

See before and after modern caucasian blepharoplasty pictures below:

Before and after modern Caucasian laser blepharoplasty to remove eye hoods, puffy eyes and dark circles in 38 year old patient.

Before and after Caucasian blepharoplasty to remove eye hoods and eye bags in 48 year old.

In the Asian blepharoplasty this incision is placed lower on the eyelid usually about 3 millimeters above the eyelashes-this creates a more natural Asian look to the fold after surgery. The incision is made much shorter than in the Occidental to avoid scarring the fold near the nose.

In addition, the Levator Palpebrae Superioris muscle is attached to the tarsus and skin to create the normal attachment which is missing in the Asian eyelid. This assures that the normal fold will appear after surgery. This is a very important and technically refined component of the Asian blepharoplasty.

A deep suture is also placed beneath the skin to pull the upper skin down so that a small fold of skin falls down to hide the incision. In Occidentals the fold is left open so the fold shows. The ideal Asian eye has a small fold of skin over the deep fold to hide the depths of the fold. This prevents the wide eyed or round eyed Western look.

Notice in the before and after picture of the Asian blepharoplasty below the fold is lower and smaller and skin is left behind to cover the incision. The Epicanthal Fold near the nose is left intact to maintain the normal eyelid shape.

Above: Before and after Asian Blepharoplasty to create a low double fold and preserve a natural Asian eyelid look in 43 year old. More skin can be removed but would create a wide eyed Western look. Patient is only a few weeks post op and still swollen.

It is also very important to be conservative with fat removal. If the same amount of fat is removed as is done in Caucasian blepharoplasty, the Asian eye will look unnaturally hollow.

Finally, the low fold of the skin near the nose, the Epicanthal Fold is normal in the Asian eye. It should not be violated and a short incision should be used that avoids this fold. This will help hide the incision and leave the natural shape of the eyelid.

What Are the Essential Elements For A proper Asian Blepharoplasty?

The main important elements of the Asian Blepharoplasty which must be done are:

• Proper location of incision 3-5 millimeters above the eyelashes
• Insertion of the muscle to create the Supratarsal Fold
• Minimal fat removal
• Do not violate the Epicanthal Fold near the nose
• Create a very small fold of skin over the incision hiding the depths of the Supratarsal Fold.

Where Do I Find An Experienced Asian Blepharoplasty Surgeon?

You will have to do your homework to find an experienced board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced at the Asian Blepharoplasty. Consult board certified plastic surgeons and ask specifically if they have experience with this technique. Search the internet, as most surgeons who do this procedure will express their interest in their internet writing.

Ask friends who have had this procedure if they are happy with their results and if they are happy with the doctor who performed their surgery.

Ask the doctor how he/she plans to do the procedure and be certain he includes a discussion of the essential elements discussed above.

Bring a photograph of a model in a magazine who has the shape and look of the eyelid you desire and ask the doctor if he/she can achieve the look you want.

For more information on Asian eyelid surgery call 9780-369-4499 or email us. Read our free newsletter to learn more about plastic surgery and non-surgical laser face and body rejuvenation. Read Save Your Face to learn how to prevent facial aging.

Dr. Seckel
Concord, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

Because the laser melts fat before removal, laser liposuction leaves smoother skin after liposuction in my experience. Laser liposuction also tightens the skin during the laser liposuction process, a definite advantage over old time liposuction.

I use the SlimLipo laser liposuction because it has many advantages over SmartLipo, Cool Lipo, ProLipo and Lipotherme in my opinion. I believe that the SlimLipo is the most effective and safest laser liposuction method available today.

In the article below I will compare the various laser liposuction technologies and try to explain why I use the SlimLipo. Once you understand how laser liposuction works and the difference between the various machines, then you will be able to choose which is the best laser liposuction technique for you.

There are very significant differences between the major laser liposuction machines in use today. Because of patent restrictions, many companies have had to use wavelengths that are not the most effective for fat removal. In the article below I will first try to explain the procedure and then describe the technologies used in the most widely used machines.

How Does Laser Liposuction Work?

Older standard liposuction techniques removed fat by inserting a metal tube called a cannula beneath the skin to remove fat by aspiration with high powered suction. The fat cells are actually ruptured and sucked out from beneath the skin. Other supporting tissues beneath the skin are also removed which can lead to lose skin and skin sag after standard old time liposuction. This procedure is quite traumatic and can produce bruising and swelling and post operative pain which can lead to a prolonged recovery. Results for fat removal are excellent, however lack of uniformity of skin appearance and loose skin after the procedure have been reported in as many as 20 % of patients.

The new SlimLipo laser liposuction technique first involves the placement of a tiny laser fiber beneath the skin to melt or liquefy the fat before removal. This allows for a much less traumatic fat removal because much smaller aspiration cannulas can be used and there is less tissue trauma and injury to the non fatty tissues. After the laser fat melting process a small cannula about half the size of the older cannulas is used to remove the liquefied fat.

In addition, the heat generated by the laser causes the skin to tighten, and results in my Boston area patients have shown improved skin tightening following laser liposuction. See before and after pictures of SlimLipo laser liposuction for laser body sculpting and mini tummy tuck of abdomen below:

Above: Before and after SlimLipo laser liposuction and mini tummy tuck for laser body sculpting of the abdomen to create a 6 pack appearance.

In addition to liquefaction or melting of fat, many more fat cells are injured by the laser and are reabsorbed by the tissues, so that fat volumes that are removed are typically less using this new technology. In some cases where very small areas of fat need to be removed, the laser liposuction treatment is all that is necessary and no suctioning has to be done.

SlimLipo Laser Liposuction Machine

SlimLipo laser liposuction uses a patented 924nm laser wavelength to melt fat. The 924nm laser is the most specifically and highly absorbed laser wavelength by fat tissue. The 924nm laser melts 3-5 times as much volume of fat as the other wavelengths in use today. The SlimLipo uses a 924nm/975nm blended wavelength for skin tightening effect. See before and after pictures of laser liposuction fat removal and skin tightening to correct double chin below:

Above: before and after Slimlipo laser liposuction of neck and small chin implant to tighten skin and melt fat to correct a double chin.

I use SlimLipo as a tumescent laser liposuction technique which lessens bruising and provides pain control.

SmartLipo MPX Laser liposuction Machine

SmartLipo was the first machine on the market. The original SmartLipo used a 1064nm wavelength to melt fat. The target of the 1064nm is water, thus the SmartLipo melted fat by heating the water in the fat and the fat is melted secondarily.

Recently, SmartLipo MPX has been introduced, which uses a combination 1064nm and a 1320nm laser to improve fat melting. In the resource box below you can link to a video which shows a comparison of the fat melting power of the SlimLipo vs. the SmartLipo MPX technology.

Cool Lipo Laser Liposuction Machine

Cool Lipo uses a 1320nm laser wavelength to dissolve fat. Although the 1320nm wavelength has better fat absorption than the 1064nm wavelength, water is still the primary target of the 1320nm. Thus the fat melting mechanism is the same for the 1320nm as with the 1064nm used in SmartLipo.

Lipotherme Laser Liposuction Machine

Lipotherme is a new entry in this field and uses a 980nm wavelength for fat melting. Again the primary target of the 980nm wavelength is water, so again this new technology melts fat by first heating water rather than by fat absorption of the wavelength.

ProLipo Laser Liposuction Machine

ProLipo laser liposuction also uses a combination of 1064nm and 1319nm laser wavelengths to melt fat. As with other similar devices mentioned above, the primary target of 1064nm and 1319nm is water and has the same disadvantages mentioned earlier.

Why is laser Wavelength So Important in Laser Liposuction?

Two major laser liposuction issues that the appropriate laser wavelength solves are:

• Efficient Uniform Fat Melting
• Safety (Less Thermal Injury or Risk of Burn)

The importance of using the appropriate wavelength to melt fat is that the greater the absorption by the fat of the laser energy, the easier and more complete the fat melting process. This is graphically demonstrated in the video link below:

Laser liposuction video comparing SlimLipo, SmartLipo, Cool Lipo, ProLipo and Lipotherme.

Not only is the 924nm wavelength used in SlimLipo capable of liquefying 3-5 times as much fat per unit of energy as the other technologies, but the fat melting mechanism is entirely different. The 924nm is completely absorbed by fat and a much larger area of fat is dissolved. The other lasers which use water targeted wavelengths have to heat water to boiling and the water the heats and destroys the fat. This water heating process is slower, less efficient and as can be seen in video is essentially chipping away at fat.

The heat generated by the water absorbed lasers is also a concern as the higher temperatures generated by the water heating lasers may be more prone to cause heat injury or burning in the dermis, the deep layer of the skin.

Below is a computer simulation showing the spread of heat to the skin. It is important to keep the heat from affecting the dermis of the skin, as heat transferred to the dermis can cause a skin burn. In the diagram below the laser is shown firing at each wavelength for the same time and same energy level. Note the line that shows dermis above and fat below. The red, yellow and light blue at the tip of the laser fiber show the laser heat being delivered into the tissues.

Notice that only the 924nm used in SlimLipo places all of the heat into the fat which is the appropriate target. Since the skin contains high water content, the 1064nm. 1320nm and 980nm lasers also send heat into the dermis layer of the skin (note yellow and light blue that is heat) in the dermis above the fat. This can lead to skin burns-See photo below:

Above: Picture of heat generated by various laser liposuction wavelengths. Note yellow and light blue above the line into Dermis risks skin injury. The 924nm SlimLipo laser (Top Left) is absorbed by fat and heat is less likely to spill over into the dermis of the skin.

Who Should Do Your Procedure?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure no matter what the internet marketing campaigns imply. My opinion is that I personally would only want a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon performing this procedure on me or one of my loved ones. This is the advice I give to people who ask about laser liposuction,

Be very careful and study the credentials of your doctor. There are many doctors today who advertise themselves as Cosmetic Surgeons who have never had one day of surgical training. Check the credentials of your doctor by visiting the website of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

There are many Board Certified Dermatologists who do this procedure and I am sure some are very good. However when you have surgery of any kind, It is essential that your doctor has had the appropriate surgical training to take care of you if something goes wrong.

Do your homework and protect yourself. SlimLipo laser suction is effective even in older patients as the before and after pictures of SlimLipo laser liposuction of the abdomen in a 70 year old patient show below:

Above: before and after picture of SlimLipo laser liposuction of abdomen in 70 year old patient-note skin tightening as well as fat removal.

For more information on laser liposuction call 978-369-4499 or email us. Read our free newsletter to learn more about plastic surgery, laser and non-surgical face and body rejuvenation, and skin care. Read Save Your Face to learn how to prevent facial aging.

Dr. Seckel
Concord, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

Botox can remove wrinkles, lift the brow, lift the corner of the mouth and improve jowls, all common signs of facial aging. When used properly by an experienced board certified physician who is an expert at facial rejuvenation techniques, Botox injections are safe, effective and can produce dramatic beautiful results.

Botox is a safe, laboratory produced pharmacological agent and is not the food poisoning toxin as so often stated in the media. Botox injections, done properly, leave the face looking natural and refreshed, your smile and facial expressions will still be natural, just without the frown lines and crow’s feet. None of my Boston patients over the past 10 years have ever looked like “figures in a wax museum”.

There are so many myths about Botox injections it is helpful for you to see before and after pictures of my Boston area patients who have actually had Botox injections. Below you can see for yourself how Botox can remove crow’s feet, frown lines, jowls, lip wrinkles, and lift the brow.

Before and After Pictures of Boston Botox Removal of Frown Lines:

Before and After Pictures of Boston Botox Removal of Crow’s Feet

Before and After Pictures of Boston Botox Removal of Lip Lines and Jowls

Before and After Pictures of Boston Botox Brow Lift

Botox is a very safe, effective, revolutionary non-surgical method for significant facial rejuvenation and wrinkle removal. The key to achieving an excellent safe result with Botox is finding an experienced physician who understands facial aesthetics, facial aging and how to reverse facial aging using Botox.

For more information on Botox injections in the Boston area, call 978-369-4499 or email me. Read our free newsletter to keep up to date on new face and body non-surgical rejuvenation. Read Save Your Face to learn how to prevent facial aging.

Dr. Seckel
Concord, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

As we reach our 30’s all of us see early facial aging changes. Sagging of the brow and eyebrow over the eyes, especially at the outside corner of the eyes is a very common early sign of facial aging. This sagging of the brow is called brow ptosis and as the eyebrow drops down the skin below the eyebrow falls over our eyelid and makes us look tired. Our eyes actually begin to look smaller, less bright and older.

A new Botox brow lift technique can now lift the eye brow non-surgically with a simple Botox injection of the frown muscles and the muscles which cause the upper crow’s feet. This new Botox brow lift technique works for many people with early brow ptosis and is a way to avoid a plastic surgery brow lift which can cause scarring.

How Does The Botox Brow Lift Work?

Botox brow lift works by relaxing facial muscles that pull the brow down when you are frowning, wincing and smiling. When you frown or wince, the frown muscles at the base of your nose between the eyes, the Procerus and Corrugator Muscles pull the brow down over the eyes. See before and after photo below which shows how these frown muscles pull the brow down and how Botox can relax the frown muscles and allow the brow to be lifted up-the patient is frowning hard in both photos:

Botox also creates a brow lift by relaxing the same muscles that cause crow’s feet. Crow’s feet are caused by the contraction of muscles around the eye called the Orbicularis Oculi Muscles.

When you grimace or smile tightly, these muscles contract and pull the outside or lateral part of the eye brow and brow down over the eye. See before and after pictures below which show how Botox injection can lift the brow and open the eyes by relaxing the upper Orbicularis Oculi Muscle which causes the crow’s feet and pulls the eye brow down over the eyes. Notice how the eye looks larger and Crow’s Feet are gone even when grimacing-pt is smiling hard in both the before and after Botox injection of the muscle which causes Crow’s Feet:

Are Botox Injections Safe?

Botox injections are very safe and effective when done by an experienced board certified plastic surgeon who understands facial aesthetics, aging changes of the face and how to rejuvenate the face. Botox is a sophisticated modern synthesized pharmaceutical and not “food poisoning” toxin as often described in the media.

Botox combined with filler injections like Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse and Evolence can also be used in the liquid face lift to lift the cheeks and the drooping mouth and jowls, and correct lip lines and lip wrinkles. See before and after photos of lower liquid face lift and lip wrinkle removal using fillers and Botox:

How Will I Look After Botox Injection?

After your Botox injection your face should look normal and refreshed. You will be able to smile and look natural, but your frown lines and crow’s feet will be significantly lessened. After the Botox brow lift, your eyes will look more open, refreshed and less tired. See before and after picture of botox treatment of crow’s feet below:

For more information on Botox or the Botox brow lift call 978-369-4499 or email me. Read our free newsletter to keep up to date on the latest methods for non-surgical face and body rejuvenation. Read Save Your Face to learn how to prevent facial aging.

Dr. Seckel
Concord. Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts