This article was published in Anti Age Magazine Volume #48. We would like to thank Dr. Diala Haykal and Anti Age Magazine for sharing it with the international community.

There is not one "winning" technique, but several! These procedures can be combined after the patient has been thoroughly examined and a tailored treatment plan has been set up.

We must understand that reshaping the figure has two aims: treating sagging skin and reducing excess fat.

Cryolipolysis is a technique that has been studied in depth and about which many scientific publications have been written. It is also well tolerated by patients. It allows us to crystallize the fat cells, the adipocytes, to reduce fatty bulges by 30%. Exposing the subcutaneous adipose tissue to the cold can lead to localized inflammation (panniculitis), which results in a reduction in the adipose tissue’s volume. It can be used to treat several areas at the same time, which means fewer sessions are required.

High Intensity Focused Ultrasounds (HIFU)

We can combine it with focused ultrasounds. Raising the temperature denatures the collagen in the dermis and leads to fat necrosis in the hypodermis. This acts upon skin sagging, and when the focus is the adipocytes - therefore the hypodermis - we can destroy them and also work on any fat bulges.

Radiofrequency

We can also use radiofrequency. Its major advantage is that it reshapes the dermis while improving the skin tone, quality, radiance and texture of any skin type, on all areas, with minimal downtime. The electromagnetic waves are generated by an electric current. RF can be used externally and fractionally, with or without needles.

The ideal protocol?

I could also talk about 1064nm Nd-YAG lasers, which are used because the depth of their action allows us to tighten up the skin, or high intensity electromagnetic waves (HIFEM) to strengthen and tone the muscles thanks to the action of the focused magnetic field, whose intensity is measured in teslas. But the initial appointment is essential, and the “ideal” plan depends on the patient’s desires and the techniques available to us. The aim is to achieve optimal results. We can nevertheless time the treatments according to the season: body shaping or contouring should be performed before the summer, as there is a certain delay before the results are achieved. It takes two to three months to see the results of cryolipolysis, for example. The risks are minimal - some burn marks or redness - but make sure only certified machines are used. Finally, these techniques should not eclipse the potential of surgery, which is more effective yet more invasive, and should never replace a healthy diet and physical exercise.

References:
1. Les lasers en Dermatologie, 4e édition, Hugues Cartier, Serge Dahan, Bertrand Pusel
2. Dermatologie esthétique, collection Dermatologie Elsevier, Serge Dahan, Catherine Rimbault, Olivier Cogrel, Jean-Michel Mazer, Bertrand Pusel