The Difference Between Non-Invasive Body Sculpting Treatments Available Today

In the past few years there has become more options to reducing inches, fat, and cellulite than just surgical options such as lipo-suction, or laser lipo treatments.  The first non-invasive option for permanent fat reduction on the body that came to the USA market and received FDA approval was Zeltiq better know as "CoolSculpting", the 2nd treatment with approval was Liposonix and the third and most recent non-invasive fat reduction treatment to receive FDA approval in the US is TruSculpt.  So what are the differences in these 3 treatments and which is the best for you?
There are different modalities for each non-invasive fat reduction treatment.
TruSculpt uses RadioFrequency with uniform heating of deep tissue at sustained therapeutic temperatures with unique hand-piece design allows therapeutic temperatures greater than 47° C to be comfortably achieved.   This creates apoptosis which is a slow cell death to the fat cells which are flushed out by the body's natural lymphatic drainage system.  No anesthetic is needed and the hand-piece is flat so there is no clamping.
Zeltiq Coolsculpting uses a hand-piece that clamps onto the treated area and "freezes" the fat through a process called crylipolysis. The fat cells die when exposed to cold and are flushed out through lymphatic drainage.
Liposonix: use high-intensity focused ultrasound to non-invasively get rid of targeted fat around your waistline (abdomen and love handles).
Areas That Can Be Treated:
TruSculpt: The benefit with TruSculpt is that any area of the body can be treated because the hand-piece is a flat surface there is no clamping.  There is a large hand-piece for most body areas and a smaller hand-piece specifally to target neck fat and tighten skin in the neck area which no other device currently offers.
Zeltiq Coolsculpting: Mainly the abdomen and love handles are the only areas which can be treated because this hand-piece has a clamping mechanism.
Liposonix: Mainly the abdomen and love handles are the only areas which can be treated because this hand-piece has a clamping mechanism.  You have to have 1-3 inches of fat to clamp.
So which one do you choose?  If you want any other area of your body treated besides abdomen then TruSculpt is the obvious answer.  Also, if you do not want to have to take painkillers then TruSculpt is your best best.  You also run a risk of "butter stick" effect with liposonix and Zeltiq because of the clamping device-only the fat in the clamp is melted creating a "butter stick" look.  All 3 of these devices work and are FDA approved.  Find a good provider of these devices and have a consultation to see if you are good candidate for any of these body sculpting devices.
All 3 have little down-time and will save you from having to have surgery.
For more information on Body Sculpting and Fat Reduction or TruSculpt go to http://www.winterparklaser.com

Juvederm Voluma now available at Orlando Medical Spa

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Winter Park Laser (Orlando medical spa) has been injecting dermal fillers under medical supervision for 10 years and while Juvederm Ultra & Ultra Plus have always been favorites by customers, the new Juvederm Voluma injectable brings new promises to filling in sagging skin and hollow cheeks.  JUVÉDERM VOLUMA^™ XC injectable gel made by Allergan is the first and only filler FDA-approved to instantly add volume to the cheek area and last twice as long as most dermal fillers on the market.  This product will give similar Sculptra results at a lower cost point and can be done in one sitting instead of several.
Who is a good candidate for JUVÉDERM VOLUMA^™?  Any man or woman who has volume loss in the cheek area caused from age, gravity, or extreme weight loss.
What exactly is JUVÉDERM VOLUMA^™? It is a hyaluronic acid filler that gives you a subtle lift, helping to restore contour and a more youthful profile, for up to 2 years, in patients over the age of 21. It's different than JUVÉDERM^® XC and works on a different area of the face. JUVÉDERM^® XC smoothes out moderate to severe wrinkles and folds around the nose and mouth, like parentheses. JUVÉDERM VOLUMA^™ XC, however, adds volume to the cheek area. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a naturally occurring, hydrating substance found in your skin. As you age, you start to lose HA, which causes the skin to lose structure and volume. Voluma will replace this lost of volume.
This process is pretty painless as the professional injectors at Winter Park Laser numb the area topically and there is lidocaine mixed in to the Juvederm Voluma as well.
For more information on Juvederm Voluma go to http://www.winterparklaser.com

Why Non-Surgical Treatments are Taking Over Surgical Cosmetic Procedures

When we opened our medical spa 10 years ago-Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center in Orlando non-surgical cosmetic procedures were really just becoming available to the general public and plastic surgery procedures were still #1 for cosmetic treatments.  However, as cosmetic laser treatments and cosmetic injectables have advanced in technology, price, efficiency and ease they are really coming to the fore-front as the industry leaders in cosmetic procedures and actual surgery is taking a back seat
According to The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery out of the $11 Billion dollars spent on cosmetic procedures in 2012 nearly 50% of that was on non-surgical procedures; $2 billion on injectables like Botox, Juvederm and dermal fillers alone, and another $1.8 billion on skin rejuvenation procedures such as laser skin resurfacing, IPL treatments and more plus $483 billion in other non-surgical procedures like laser hair removal and laser tattoo removal.
So Why are non-surgical cosmetic treatments starting to take over surgical cosmetic procedures? First of all, price.  When the economy took a hit they first thing to go was luxuries-$10,000 in plastic surgery procedures like implants and tummy tucks took a hit while affordable procedures like $200-$300 in Botox, $300 IPLs, and $500-$600 dermal fillers actually increased in profits because they are a way to improve the way you look without breaking the bank.
Secondly, no down-time has become increasingly important to people.  More women work than ever and they can't afford to be out of work for 3 weeks or they are Mother's who can't have that downtime either.  Laser procedures and injectables typically have no downtime or little downtime of maybe 2-3 days where as surgery can be weeks.
The 3rd reason is access.  It is much easier to find a medical spa or doctor near you that does Botox, chemical peels and laser treatments than a good affordable plastic surgeon.  Also everyone now has a friend that has had these minimal procedures done.
The bottom line is that non-surgical cosmetic treatments can pack a big punch with little impact to your wallet.
For more information on why Non-Surgical treatments are taking over surgical cosmetic procedures go to http://www.winterparklaser.com

The Most Common Aesthetic Procedures in Today’s Medical Spas

While Botox is a common everyday term, there are many other procedures that have become equally common especially with the increase in opening of Medical Spas. Here are the most common aesthetic procedures now found in Dermatology offices, Plastic Surgeons, and Medical Spa’s. One of the most common and most consistent aesthetic procedures today is the Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) photo-facial. This is a great and easy treatment that can not only be performed on the face, but the chest, arms, back and legs as well. The IPL is used to remove pigmentation issues caused by sun damage, as well as broken capillaries, redness, and Rosacea. Juvederm Ultra Plus and Juvederm Voluma are extremely common as well. Cosmetic dermal fillers have grown in popularity because they work and they are the only treatment that can replace volume. Juvederm and fillers are mainly hualuronic acid based and when injected they can fill in hollow cheeks, plump up thin lips, and give a face-lift effect as well. Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing is becoming more popular especially for acne scars and laser stretchmark removal. Fractional lasers are non-ablative so there is little downtime and it typically only takes 4-5 treatments to remove decade old acne scars by stimulating collagen and elastyn. For more information on common aesthetic procedures in today’s medical spas go to www.winterparklaser.com

Why Laser Tattoo Removal Can be a Valentine’s Day Gift

Why Laser Tattoo Removal Can be a Valentine’s Day Gift So, you have been wondering all year what can you get your girlfriend or boyfriend that they don’t already have for Valentine’s Day? Well, if you have the name of your ex-lover tattooed somewhere permanently on your body, look no further! Laser tattoo removal can be an awesome Valentine’s Day gift. Let’s face it, no one wants to think of the person they love’s ex let alone stare at that ex’s name in the budoir. At our medical spa-Winter Park Laser in Orlando one of the most requested tattoos to have removed is an ex boyfriend, girlfriend, husband etc. This is why we think having laser tattoo removal to remove an ex’s name can be a terrific gift for Valentines Day. Here are the details on how laser tattoo removal works. While your tattoo won’t be removed in time for Valentine’s Day if you start now it will definitely start to fade. It is important to have a Q-Switch Yag laser used for tattoo removal. Tattoo ink is removed by using specific wavelengths of light which pass into the skin, and is absorbed by the ink. A given wavelength targets only a single color (or a group of nearby colors). For example, the red wavelength removes the green ink and the green wavelength removes the red ink. The rapid absorption of the light energy (shock wave) causes the tattoo ink to break into tiny particles which can then be removed by the body’s natural filtering systems often referred to as the body’s lymphatic drainage system. For more information on laser tattoo removal go to http://www.winterparklaser.com

Why an Eye Cream is essential to Anti-Aging

While many men and women want an "easy map" to looking younger and think a regular moisturizer is fine for the entire face, the eyes require special care. The area around your eyes is 30% thinner than the rest of your skin, and between that and the movement around the eye it is the first area to show age and to dehydrate on the face. Why You Need an Eye Cream: As the skin is thinner around your eyes and because of the extreme amount of movement from squinting etc, the skin is more sensitive and prone to a many issues, such as puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, there are minimal oil glands around your eyes to help keep the skin naturally hydrated, so finding the right eye cream can help to prevent many issues. It's best to find one that fights several issues at once. Look for pharmaceutical grade eye creams as they will have the strongest ingredients to penetrate. You want to tap the eye cream with your ring finger (it's the weakest). Try to find an eye cream without fragrance. Ingredients to look for: For Puffiness: Under-eye puffiness comes from fluid buildup that swells in the tissues around your eyes. This can come from allergies and sinuses, but it can also be a result of sleep deprivation, hereditary issues diet, alcohol, and aging. Look for ingredients like caffeine which can help reduce swelling. For Dark Circles: Dark circles form around the eyes as a result of factors, such as heredity, stress, smoking, sun exposure, pigmentation, and shadows from the hollowing out of your eyes. Things like vitamin C and K, kojic acid, and licorice can help combat skin discoloration. Dermal fillers such as Belotero are the best solution for hollow eyes causing dark shadows. You should also look for light-reflecting ingredients to give you an instant brightening effect. For Fine Lines: Look for collagen boosting ingredients such as Retinol and tissue nutrient supplements. Our favorite Eye creams: TNS Eye Repair by Skinmedica, and our Winter Park laser Brightening C Eye Cream. For more information on why an eye cream is essential to anti-aging go to http://www.winterparklaser.com

Pharmaceutical-Grade Skincare Vs. Over the Counter

skinmedica products On average women spend over $426 billion per year in the U.S. on beauty products, therefore don't you want to be getting your money's worth out of those products? Women and men are inundated with skincare products at the drugstore, mall, online, and doctor's office or spa. So it can be confusing to understand what to buy and where to spend your money. So as a medical spa manager (Winter Park Laser) I often explain to clients why they need to be using pharmaceutical grade skincare and why that $150 cream they bought at the mall isn't working, so I want to do the same for everyone. Why over the counter products (even expensive ones) don't work as well as pharmaceutical grade skincare products. #1 Level of Penetration: OTC (over the counter) products can not penetrate & end up hydrating your sheets as they cannot penetrate the outer most layer of the skin. Pharmacuetical grade skincare including cosmecutical lines contain active ingredients that can break down that rough texture beforebeing completely absorbed. #2 Amount of Active Ingredients: Cosmecutical products have a much higher percentage of active ingredients compared to OTC because they are FDA approved to have more & are not watered down with preservatives. Active ingredients are those that actually DO something to change your skin such as lighten brown spots or tighten skin. #3 Price does not allocate effectiveness: There a lot of people that thing if it's expensive it works & this isn't always true. There are many "mall lines" that carry creams that are $200 or more and are much less effective than $65 pharmaceutical grade products. The conclusion is that some Over The Counter product might work but you will see minimal results in comparison to stronger Pharmaceutical grade products. Bottom Line: * If you can purchase a product anywhere other than from a Physician or Esthetic Practice, then it’s not a Pharmaceutical grade product. *Cosmeceuticals have the ability to actually change the appearance of your skin by lightening pigment, tightening skin and reducing wrinkles. *Cosmeceuticals have a higher concentration of Active ingredients which makes them stronger. *Cosmeceuticals are often more affordable (since they don’t have large marketing budgets). Winter Park Laser's Favorite Cosmeceutical Brands: Skinmedica & Glytone, but there are many great ones available! For more information on Pharmaceutical grade products vs. over the counter go to http://www.winterparklaser.com