Years ago, if you were unhappy with your looks and had the bank balance available, and the inclination, then cosmetic surgery was an option for you. But for many people, invasive surgery, with its images of operating tables and scalpel-wielding surgeons proved too much. In addition, the reality of going under anaesthetic, the time needed to heal, and likely scarring were equally off-putting.
How times have changed. It is now possible to alter and improve both face and body without going 'under the knife'. Radical new cosmetic surgery treatments such as Fraxel, Thermage and SmartLipo have made the body beautiful accessible to millions of women (and men!), who previously would never have considered cosmetic surgery.
But what exactly are Fraxel, Thermage and SmartLipo? What are Fraxel, Thermage and SmartLipo used for? Who would benefit from using Fraxel, Thermage and SmartLipo treatments? Probably the burning question on everyone's lips is: do these treatments really deliver?
Let's begin with Fraxel. Fraxel is a laser treatment that is used to eliminate and reduce the signs of ageing and sun damage. Whether you are using Fraxel to deal with sun spots or wrinkles, stretch marks or age spots and acne scars, Fraxel has instant results. Fraxel can also help deal with dyschromia (discolouration of the skin), providing sufferers with much needed relief and improved self-esteem.
Even when Fraxel is not being used for specific skin complaint, Fraxel helps rejuvenate the skin leaving it looking brighter and more refreshed after a Fraxel treatment than before.
Fraxel is like traditional lasers. Why? Because Fraxel works by resurfacing the surface of the skin. However, that is where the similarity between Fraxel and traditional laser treatments ends. Fraxel is unlike other laser treatments because Fraxel doesn't require a long recovery period or any other downtime side effects.
Immediately after having a Fraxel treatment you can expect your skin to feel as though it is mildly sunburnt. Following a Fraxel treatment your skin will quickly renew its epidermal layer – signs of healing after Fraxel include a 'bronzing' of the skin and slight dryness. All normal after Fraxel.
Swelling is minimal after a Fraxel treatment and is one of the reasons why many patients return to work a mere 24 hours after a Fraxel treatment.
Such low downtime is because Fraxel works in a very precise manner. Fraxel targets particular areas – known as microthermal zones – but Fraxel doesn't affect the surrounding tissues. The concise delivery of Fraxel means that Fraxel is the ideal laser treatment for sensitive skin. Fraxel can also be used on delicate areas such as the neck, chest and hands.
Finally, Fraxel is ideal for those who would like to deal with a specific skin complaint but are afraid of general anaesthetic; a Fraxel treatment only requires a topical anaesthetic.
Fraxel can be combined with other non-invasive treatments – the most popular is Thermage.
How does Thermage work? Thermage works with monopolar capacitive radiofrequency (RF) technology to heat the deeper layers of skin. In this way, Thermage stimulates existing collagen and promotes new collagen growth.
By stimulating collagen - the 'building blocks' which create our skin's structure, Thermage improves the shape and contours of skin. Collagen naturally breaks down as we age, so by revitalising the skin's collagen production Thermage effectively fights the ageing process.
Thermage can be used on most parts of the body including the face, eyes, thighs, buttocks and hands. Thermage will deliver instant results wherever Thermage is used, and the results of just one Thermage treatment will last between three or five years.
What can you expect after a Thermage treatment? Thermage delivers results that effectively reverse the signs of ageing. Therefore, after a Thermage treatment you can expect a tightening and smoothing of the skin. Thermage will also help soften lines and wrinkles. Thermage will also improve contours.
Best of all, the results of a Thermage treatment are available without having to undergo surgery or having a general anaesthetic – neither of these are required with a Thermage treatment. Prior to a Thermage treatment a topical anaesthetic is applied – this is all the pain relief that is required with Thermage.
Many patients are able to continue with their lives and daily routine straight after having a Thermage treatment. Thermage only takes two hours, and Thermage takes place in a physician's clinic. This means that Thermage could be easily squeezed into even the busiest day.
For face or body, Thermage can be combined with SmartLipo for even better results. While Thermage works to contour the skin, SmartLipo removes fat deposits – ideally one would remove fat with SmartLipo and then re-shape and smooth the area with Thermage. Perfect results instantly visible with both Thermage and SmartLipo.
Unlike Thermage (but similar to Fraxel), SmartLipo is a laser. Used on pockets of fat which are stubbornly resistant to diet and exercise, SmartLipo breaks up the membranes of adipose cells (cells that compose the tissues which store energy as fat). After a SmartLipo treatment, the contents of the cells are disposed of in a natural manner by the body.
The laser used in SmartLipo treatments uses short pulses and has a high peak of power. This means that SmartLipo lasers avoid heating bodily tissues and is one reason for the lack of downtime involved with a SmartLipo treatment compared with traditional liposuction.
What can you expect when you sign up for a SmartLipo treatment? The SmartLipo treatment takes about an hour and, depending on the area, you should only need one SmartLipo treatment. Results after having SmartLipo are instantly visible. Yet, after a SmartLipo treatment it is possible to resume most of your normal activities. (Although, it is recommended that exercise, saunas and massage are avoided for a few weeks after SmartLipo while healing takes place.)
Here are our top ten reasons for choosing SmartLipo over traditional liposuction:
- SmartLipo is minimally invasive
- SmartLipo is permanent
- SmartLipo is less traumatic (thanks to its non-invasiveness)
- SmartLipo is straightforward and safe
- SmartLipo requires less post-treatment care
- SmartLipo has a fast recovery
- SmartLipo can be used on areas that traditional liposuction couldn't treat
- SmartLipo only requires use of a local anaesthetic
- SmartLipo involves minimal interference in your day-to-day life
- SmartLipo (especially when combined with Thermage) creates smoother contouring of underlying skin
With SmartLipo, as with any other surgical or cosmetic procedure (non-invasive or otherwise), it is vital that you seek advice from a properly qualified physician who has experience of administering SmartLipo, or any of the other treatments outlined here.
