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Articles

SCULPT: Simultaneous Contouring Using Liposuction Plus Tightening using RFAL Technology

Despite achieving your ideal weight, common complaints that surface would be:

  • I’m bothered by the excess fat and skin around my neck, and the sides of my face!
  • I tried my best to lose fat/inches from those stubborn areas, but instead, I ended up losing fat/volume in the areas that I actually wanted more volume!
  • I am fitter, stronger and leaner, but I still cannot attain my desired figure or curves due to certain stubborn areas that don’t seem to go away.
  • I have lost weight, and the fat is now gone, but I have loose, saggy skin flaps that persist!
  • I feel better with a good diet and exercise regime, but why don’t I look better in the mirror or when I take photos?
  • I still couldn’t get rid of that bulgy tummy, or flabby thighs, or jiggly arms!

The Treatment Gap: external non-invasive energy devices are not good enough, but you are not ready to commit to a full plastic surgery procedure?

Traditional liposuction, the simple removal of fat, has been replaced with adipose contouring in concert with soft tissue contraction and skin remodelling to deliver body shaping enhancement with an optimized skin envelope. The addition of energy-based internal devices helps bridge the gap between non-invasive treatments with very minimal/modest results, minimally invasive treatments that lack the soft tissue contraction, or safety of RFAL and the standard open plastic surgery excisional procedures. (Figure below)

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Source: Enhanced Liposuction - New Perspectives and Techniques: Internal and External Radiofrequency Assisted Lipo-Coagulation (RFAL) in the Control of Soft Tissue Contraction during Liposuction: Part 1 “Inside Out” Thermal Tissue Tightening by Robert Stephen Mulholland

 

Do you desire a single-stage procedure with effective tightening and lifting without large surgical scars?

 

Accutite, Facetite, and BodyTite are minimally invasive devices for body contouring, delivering results almost similar to surgical removal of excess skin. Accutite, Facetite, and Bodytite are powered by radiofrequency technology, resulting in three-dimensional tissue remodeling through volumetric heating of fat and supporting tissues. This RF-induced heat results in radiofrequency assisted lipolysis (RFAL), or melting of fat tissue.

The ”Tite” procedures, on their own, produce effective tightening and lifting, and this synergizes very effectively with liposuction, which removes excess fat tissue to enhance contours and accentuate the lifting or tightening effect.

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Key Benefits

  • Completed in-office as a day surgery case for select patients
  • Addresses and tightens skin laxity without having to excise skin
  • Minimal downtime
  • It can be combined with other surgical procedures
  • Patient Safety

Patient Safety – temperature control

One of the other key features of this technology is the ability for the Operator to control the set temperature safety limits both externally (on the skin surface) and internally (to the fat and supporting tissues) to deliver heat energy exactly at layers which we want to, and minimize unwanted injury to the skin. This ensures the risk of thermal damage to the skin is at its lowest.

The ability to closely monitor the temperature of tissues also allows plastic surgeons to confidently combine treatments together with tightening to give maximum effect within one surgical setting.

 

Patients who will benefit from SCULPT (Liposuction + Skin Tightening)

  • Individuals with excess fat volume, sagging of their face and neck, and/or loose or droopy skin of the lower face and neck.
  • Fit individuals with a healthy diet and regular exercise regime, and stable weight
    1. Current BMI <30 (close to ideal as possible),
    2. Certain stubborn pockets of loose skin or extra fat,
    3. Desires to improve body contour to fit their clothing or swimwear better.
  • Young mothers who wish to improve their body contour after pregnancy
    1. As above, and also improve and enhance body contours,
    2. It can be done as part of muscle tightening and a mummy makeover.
  • Athletes or bodybuilders who wish to enhance their athletic contours
    1. Increased definition of muscles
    2. Increased skin contraction and tightening to reduce loose and flabby skin
    3. Contouring of chest region
    4. Contouring of inner arm region

What are the differences between the different RFAL or radiofrequency techniques and some non-invasive techniques?

Most non-invasive treatments involve delivering heat (or cold) energy through the skin surface down to the target fat cells and subcutaneous layers; the indirect nature of the treatment renders it much less effective than more direct methods of treatment. Minimally invasive techniques involve direct application of radiofrequency (in this case) energy, through tiny puncture marks in the skin, to the target fat cells and subcutaneous layers. Through the access made, we can directly heat, tighten and lift tissues effectively, without relying on large incisions to do so.

The difference between Accutite, Facetite, and Bodytite is related to the size of the probe applied during treatment, as well as the settings used. Accutite can be used for small areas requiring more finesse such as eyelids, nasolabial folds, or jowls. Facetite can be used for medium-sized areas such as the neck, axillary bra roll, breasts, and upper knees. Bodytite can be used for larger areas such as the abdomen, thighs, and arms. Each of the “Tite” procedures can be used alone, however, they are typically combined with other surgical procedures.

Accutite / Facetite

FaceTite has shown to deliver results with little to no scarring and minimal downtime. Patients with wrinkles, sagging skin, fine lines, and overall skin laxity may be candidates for FaceTite. Both men and women can benefit from this procedure. It is especially suited for those who are not ready for facelift surgery or do not need the facelift surgical procedure yet. FaceTite is designed for smaller areas, including the jowls, neck, and under the eyes, as well as smaller areas of the body, including the knees, arms, inner thighs, and breasts. FaceTite is best syngergised with other procedures during the same sitting, such as liposuction & fat grafting, thread lifts, facelifting or neck lifting. FaceTite is great for patients who:

  • Wish to remove stubborn, small areas of fat on the face or neck
  • Have a small amount of skin laxity or “jowling” on the face and/or neck 
  • Are not ready for surgery or want to avoid lengthy surgical scars and lengthier recovery times
  • Want to correct a double chin or jowls

Applications (Face):

  • Day surgery lower face/neck contouring procedure under local anaesthesia
  • Minimally invasive combination face and neck lift using FaceTite, liposuction, fat grafting and threadlifting:
    1. Minimally invasive approach with liposuction, Combination RF treatment (Morpheus8 and FaceTite), to reduce excess fat tissue and tighten loose saggy skin.
    2. Sometimes combined with re-volumization of deflated areas (with fillers or fat grafting) and threads for additional lifting support of deep structures of the face.

BodyTite

BodyTite is an FDA-approved treatment that delivers results previously only achieved through excisional procedures. BodyTite, powered by radiofrequency technology, helps to achieve three-dimensional tissue remodelling through volumetric heating of fat and supporting tissues. This application of bipolar radiofrequency treatment ensures multilayer heating and tissue contraction.

Many men and women have excess fat and loose areas of skin on their body can attain a tighter figure through this minimally invasive radiofrequency skin tightening technique. BodyTite can be used to address most areas of the body. The most common areas that benefit from this technology include the abdomen, thighs, arms, chest, and knees. It can also be used on the lower back and buttocks. BodyTite is also a very useful adjunctive tool with liposuction, and it helps to provide increased tissue contouring and skin tightening, especially in situations where there is some skin laxity that requires effective skin tightening.

Ideal candidates for these treatments would want to:

  • Improve the appearance of loose, wrinkled skin of the body
  • Avoid lengthy downtime and scarring that results from surgery
  • Attain a tighter, firmer look
  • Improve the overall contours and silhouette of the body

Morpheus8 Radiofrequency + Microneedling: Fractional bipolar radiofrequency treatment

 

The Morpheus8 is a new subdermal adipose remodelling device (SARD) that fractionally remodels and contours the face and body by penetrating deep into the skin and fat to smooth and tighten the intended area of treatment. It is an in-office procedure with little to no downtime that is safe and effective for all skin types. Morpheus8 increases collagen production resulting in reduced wrinkles, faded stretch marks, improved acne scars, and overall skin rejuvenation. This morphs the aging face or body into a more desired, smooth and sleek appearance and can be used for all skin tones.

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How it works

On its own, this treatment can be performed in the clinic or in-office setting with just topical numbing cream applied to the skin. A typical treatment course should take less than 30 minutes per session and have little to no downtime for you. Once the numbing cream is in effect, the Morpheus8 probe is applied, and it delivers positively charged, silicone coated probe-needles through the skin into the superficial fat. Radiofrequency energy is then emitted from the needle tip that heats and tightens fat and overlying skin.

Once engaged, The Morpheus8 releases RF energy from the positively charged tip, embedded in the fat, leading to coagulation of the superficial fat and tightening of the bands that determine skin tautness. The RF also flows back up the probe-needle, heating the dermis and skin, leading to new collagen and elastin formation.

To achieve noticeable results, Morpheus8 can be combined with other treatment modalities, or multiple treatment sessions may be required spaced every 6-8 weeks.

Patient Safety

As this treatment delivers heat through the tip(s) of the probe, this minimises unwanted heat transfer to the skin surface. This results in a significant reduction in the risk of unwanted pigmentation and injury to the skin, allowing clinicians to deliver results confidently and effectively without worrying about the risks.

Key Benefits

  • In-office procedure
  • Little to no downtime
  • Reduces wrinkles
  • Tightens skin
  • Improves stretch marks
  • Provides overall skin rejuvenation

REFERENCES:

  • Robert Stephen Mulholland. Enhanced Liposuction - New Perspectives and Techniques: Internal and External Radiofrequency Assisted Lipo-Coagulation (RFAL) in the Control of Soft Tissue Contraction during Liposuction: Part 1 “Inside Out” Thermal Tissue Tightening.
  • E Dayan, C Chia, J Burns, S Theodorou. Adjustable Depth Fractional Radiofrequency Combined With Bipolar Radiofrequency: A Minimally Invasive Combination Treatment for Skin Laxity. Aesth Surg J 2019.
  • Wang Y, Yin B, Li F. Facial Rejuvenation and Contouring with Radiofrequency-Assisted Procedures in Asians. Clin Plast Surg. 2023 Jan;50(1):43-49.
  • InMode Non-Invasive & Minimally Invasive Medical Aesthetic Technology (inmodemd.com)

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