aesthetic clinique Archives | The Aesthetic Clinique

The Top 5 Procedures for a Youthful Appearance

There is so much information available on the internet that is becomes extremely confusing to the average person as to what is the right thing for them to do. While genetics, race, and lifestyle play a role in how one ages, there are many universal features of the aging face which are inescapable. While it is common to be asked “should I do this or that”, the best results are always a combination of several different procedures.

Wrinkles: Botox/Dysport relax hyperdynamic muscles which cause wrinkles with movement. There’s a reason this is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the world. It is quick, extremely effective, very little downtime, minimally painful, and with a high satisfaction rate. Common areas treated are the “11’s” or frown lines, crows feet, and forehead lines. Duration of effect is about 3-4 months. Early preventative treatment is effective in delaying lines which appear at rest (etched in lines).
Loss of Volume: Volume loss is inevitable. The aging process in combination with sun exposure causes the face to lose fat, bone, muscle, and collagen. Starting at the age of about 32, a cc or 2 of volume is lost per year. It begins to become visible at about age 38-40. This is called the “tipping point” in women, about the time when fertility starts to drops off. Sun protection and darker skin types will delay this lost volume up to 10 or 15 years. Replacing lost volume is done with fillers. The most common fillers are made with Hyaluronic Acid (HA) which is a natural component of skin. Examples of HA fillers include Juvederm, Restylane, and Voluma. Longer lasting fillers are Sculptra and Bellafill.
Pigmentation/Redness: Inevitably, skin gets exposed to the sun and “sun damage” occurs. The sun is responsible for destroying collagen in the skin, causing it to thin, and lose elasticity and hydration. Another effect is causing vascular fragility leading to visible vessels and redness. Melanin is produced as the body makes an effort to protect the skin resulting in “sun spots” or hyperpigmentation. Lasers are effective in treating these conditions near painlessly. For reds, VBeam or Excel V Lasers are the gold standards. Up to 3 treatments might be needed. For a few small patches of pigment, a Q Switched Laser or Excel V is used. For more diffuse patches of pigmentation, laser resurfacing (Fraxel) or IPL are good options.
Skin Laxity/Sagging: The combination of gravity and loss of skin elasticity can result in the need for skin tightening. Surgery will give the most aggressive result for this. Alternative treatments with less downtime, less risks are Infini, Thermitight, or Ablative Lasers.
Fat Accumlation: Aging leads to changes in metabolism and fat storage. Patients develop fatty collections which become difficult to diminish despite aggressive workout routines and diets. There are now multiple noninvasive approaches to removing fat permanently with no downtime. Larger more diffuse areas require a technology called Vanquish ME. Smaller areas can be spot treated with either Coolsculpting, Sculpsure, Ultrashape, or Liposonix. In the submental area, fat can be reduced with an injection called Kybella, a new handpiece from Coolsculpting (CoolMini) or with Thermitight. Of course surgery including liposuction or tummy tuck has been the gold standard for decades and is the best option for those desiring the most aggressive approach.

Drum roll please….The top picks from the 5 categories (Dr. Weiner’s Choices):

Dysport, Sculptra, Excel V, Infini, Coolsculpting (CoolMini)

Filling The Temples Should Be Done With Sculptra…Period.

Temporal volume loss is part of the natural aging process of the face. It is the result primarily of fat pad atrophy, but loss of bone, soft tissue, and muscle also contribute. Losing volume in the temples leads to:

Lowering of the eyelid and eyebrow
Skin laxity in the periorbital and cheek area
Changes to the overall shape of the face

Temporal volume loss changes the shape of the face

Probably the most significant of the above changes is #3. A youthful face is “upside down egg” or “heart” shaped. The upper face is rounded, with the widest part being the upper cheeks. The center of beauty is the eyes, and the youthful face emphasizes this. With the temple wasting associating with the aging face, the overall shape turns more square, and the lower face becomes dominant. Filling the temporal defect can help to re-establish the upper face dominance that is the hallmark of youth and beauty.

There are basically 2 ways to fill the temples. Filler can be placed deep to the temporalis muscle, at the level of the periostium of the bone in the temporal fossa. This type of correction will lift the muscle, fat, and soft tissue “en mass” for a very even appearance. Needles are needed for this technique because the temporal fascia is difficult to pierce with cannulas. This is the preferred method of the author. The second method is placement of the filler just below the dermis, in the subcutaneous tissue. Imperfections caused by uneven placement of the filler will be more visible because the tissue in this area is very thin. Bruising is more likely as well because there are multiple veins in this area. Using blunt cannulas helps to mitigate bruising but not eliminate it.

Risks associated with temporal fillers are similar to placement in all other areas: bleeding, bruising, infection, unevenness, unsatisfactory result, need for more filler, vascular compromise including necrosis AND BLINDNESS. Fortunately, blindness is an extremely rare complication of fillers with somewhere between 100 and 200 cases reported in the literature. The most common “filler” sighted for this complication is fat, but it has occurred with all the fillers. It is the duty of the injecting physician to take all precautions to minimize this catastrophic risk. The etiology of blindness is occlusion of the retinal artery by filler that is obstructing its blood flow. Filler makes it to this area because there are natural occurring anastomoses between the external (face) and the internal carotid (ophthalmic) systems. Techniques to minimize blindness are:

Slow injection of the filler which prevents retrograde flow of filler
Use of large cannulas or needles which makes entry into vessels more difficult. (Using cannulas has been shown to be significantly safer than needles because their blunt tip is less likely to result in an intravascular injection)
Moving the end of the needle or cannula constantly to avoid a bolus injection within a vessel
Aspiration prior to injection to see if there is a flash of blood, indicating a intravascular location

Sculptra is ideally suited for correcting the temple defects. When placed at the level of the periostium (the author’s preferred method), it creates a very long lasting correction (at least 2-3 years) formed by collagen and neo-osteogenesis. More importantly, it is the only filler in which aspiration can be relied upon to produce a flash. Sculptra is nearly the consistency of water and will flash with a red reflux of blood if intravascular. The viscosity of all the other fillers makes this technique an unreliable indicator for testing where the tip of the needle is. That makes Sculptra much safer for use in this area.

For improving temporal volume loss, Sculptra will produce a long acting and natural appearing correction with a safety profile that is superior to all other fillers on the US market.

Sculptra is Different Than All Other Fillers: Natural, Structural Support, Cost Effective

[wpvideo knQxgNTt]

The concept of volume loss in the aging face is a relatively new realization by the aesthetic industry. Up until about 12-15 years ago, the dogma was correcting loose skin using primarily surgical approaches. Post surgical patients were very pleased parading around their newly tightened faces, free from wrinkles and sags, but prominently showing off their skeletonized features. There was no hiding the fact that something had been done, it wasn’t subtle, and it was obvious. Something didn’t jive with what the brain recognized as youthful or aesthetically pleasing. This dichotomy between what Plastic Surgeons and the brain thought was beautiful was due to the lack of understanding of the impact of volume loss on the aging face.

It is now widely documented that there is significant loss of volume in the face as one ages. Fat pads throughout the face become less prominent, and there is also bony resorption throughout the entire facial skeleton and jaw. Even if the skin didn’t stretch from gravity, there would be sagging related to loss of the structural support. A great analogy is in a youthful face, the dress (skin) and your body (facial structures) are the same size. An aging face wears the same dress, but the body is now a size or 2 smaller, so the dress doesn’t fit correctly.

How much volume loss occurs? Beginning at the age of 30, about 1-2 cc of loss occurs per year. However, it is so slow and subtle, and it isn’t until the late thirties or early forties that there is any noticeable changes. It seems to match the so called “tipping point” in women, just as they end their most “fertile” years. Doing the math, a person in their 50’s can have 20-30 cc’s of volume that needs replacing. Its up to the aesthetic physicians to combat this long standing evolutionary process, and keep women (and men) beautiful, well beyond their child bearing ages.

Fortunately dermal fillers can reverse the loss of volume that inevitably comes with aging foregoing the costs, downtime, and risks associated with surgery. The most recognized fillers, Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Voluma, are hyaluronic acid fillers. These all last about a year, with most of their longevity based on their ability to absorb water, hydrophillic characteristics. These are great fillers for small corrections around the eyes, lips, marionettes, and nasolabial folds. The cost/benefit ratio turns negative, once the number of syringes exceeds about 6. At this point, correction is still far from optimal, but the costs are significant. Also, in the author’s opinion, multiple syringes of HA filler give a “boggy” appearance to the correction, directly related to their hydrophillic nature.

The only filler that can correct large volume deficits in a cost effective manner is Sculptra.

Sculptra works by stimulating one’s own collagen to volumize the face “naturally”. Studies have shown Sculptra’s effect to last at least 2 years. The problem is, aging is always going to happen, so even after full correction with Sculptra, touch ups with one to two vials every 12 to 18 months are required. Not only does Sculptra produce a long lasting and natural result, it is a cost effective solution. When comparing Sculptra to an HA filler, one vial of Sculptra will volumize what approximately 4 (4 cc) syringes of an HA will do. The cost of Sculptra is usually about 1.5x the cost of a syringe of HA filler. It turns out that full volumization is usually about “1 vial per decade” with Sculptra. Sculptra should be considered the “workhorse” for replacing the structural loss of the face. Fine tuning, once the volume is replaced, is the job of the HA fillers.

Darker skin ethnicities are naturally better protected from the sun so the aging process is delayed (Skin aging is mostly related to sun exposure). These patients require less volume when compared to lighter skinned individuals. Also, severely sun damaged and unhealthy skin won’t respond quite as effectively in collagen production from Sculptra as the healthy, well protected skin, and will require more volume than the norm.

Although there is still a component of excess skin in the aging face, the primary cause of wrinkles and skin laxity is due to volume loss. Correcting volume deficits should be the primary focus of reversing the signs of aging. Of the fillers, Sculptra stands out from all the others in it’s ability to produce a long lasting, cost effective, and natural solution for large volume replacements.

Blog: http://stevenfweinermd.wordpress.com/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/StevenFWeinerFacial

Website: http://www.theclinique.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheAestheticClinique/

Comparing Infini to Ulthera and Why Infini’s Technology is Superior for Laxity, Wrinkles, and Acne Scars

When it comes to skin tightening and wrinkles, there has been an increasing trend for the consumers to choose the less invasive approaches and opting out of surgery. Although results aren’t as dramatic, nonsurgical treatments offer less downtime, less risk, and less cost. These treatments are great for the people who are not quite surgical candidates because of very mild signs of aging as well as those that just want to delaying the sagging before it is even apparent. Then there are those who really are surgical candidates but can’t afford the downtime or are concerned about the looks of some of their peers who have had face/neck lifts.

The most recognized name for noninvasive skin tightening currently is Ulthera (Ultherapy). This technology uses highly focused ultrasound to cause a thermal coagulation zone beneath the skin without affecting the surface. This technology is akin to the one used to break up kidney stones or gall stones with ultrasonic energy (lithotripsy). The coagulation zones elicit an inflammatory response leading to collagen stimulation and contraction. This results in tissue tightening and wrinkle improvement. Ulthera was brought to market in 2009, with Dr. Weiner being one of the first 20 adopters in the US. Dr. Weiner has had significant experience with this device and with all the changes in protocols.

In 2013, the Infini was FDA approved and introduced in the US. This was a novel technology for the US, but it had been used in Asia for at least 1.5 years prior. Infini uses radiofrequency attached to microneedles to cause similar thermal coagulation zones as the Ulthera, below the surface of the skin. Dr. Weiner is the largest user on the Infini in the US and now lectures and precepts other physicians in it use.

The similarities of the 2 technologies:

Both are fractional treatments (only treat a portion of tissue) which is safer and leads to faster healing.
Both can treat at multiple different levels. While Ulthera is restricted to 3 levels, it is not uncommon for Dr. Weiner to treat at up to 5 levels with the Infini.
Both have very little downtime – Ulthera has potential for bruising but otherwise no downtime. Infini has about 24-36 hours of redness and swelling. There are no activity or sun restrictions for either treatment.
All skin types can be treated with both technologies.
Both can be performed in the office with just topical – Patients who have had both technologies report that Ulthera had more discomfort in Dr. Weiner’s office.
Both can improve skin laxity, particularly in the jawline. It is Dr. Weiner’s opinion that this is primarily due to fat destruction by both technologies. Both can reach into this layer (the Infini only if desired, Ulthera almost always by default with the deeper transducers).
Both mechanisms of tightening are similar – create a controlled injury that leads to tissue contraction, tightening, collagen stimulation BUT the way the injury is produced is different.
Both can be safely off the face – neck, chest, extremities, under arms (hyperhidrosis)
Both are extremely safe technologies with very little side effects and don’t use lasers (so safer for the eyes).
Both have better results with multiple treatments. Although Ulthera states one treatment is needed, the experience Dr. Weiner had with the technology was that better outcomes were seen with multiple treatments.

Comparing the differences of Infini versus Ulthera:

Infini treatment of the face/upper neck lays down over 50,000 thermal coagulation zones VS Ulthera’s 16,000. It only makes sense that the more zones, the more results.
Infini depths can be adjusted from 0.25 mm to 3.5 mm in increments of 0.25 mm. Ulthera has 3 depths: 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 mm. Using the ultrasound of the Ulthera, Dr. Weiner was able to measure skin depths over the face and neck. There were no areas of skin thickness greater than 2.5 mm in the entire face and neck (except in very thick skinned males in the upper cheeks). Therefore, MOST OF THE TREATMENT FOR ULTHERA IS BELOW THE LEVEL OF EVEN THE DEEP DERMIS. Only the 1.5mm transducer causes coagulation in the dermis. This is not included in most protocols, or if it is, is only a minor component. Studies have shown that the area of greatest collagen formation is in the deep dermis. Infini is able to lay the coagulation zones all throughout the dermis, including the deep dermis because of its ability to change it’s depths. The Infini can even treat different areas of the face at different depths, which is important because the face has significant variability of thicknesses between the forehead, eyes, cheeks, lips, jawline, submental, and chin area. Depths below the dermis injure the subcutaneous tissue, which is mostly fat. Fat is what we want to preserve, not destroy, except along the jawline and submental area.
The treatment cost (consumable) of Ulthera for the physician is more than 10 times greater than for the Infini. The purchase price to the physician is also about 50% more for the Ulthera. The treatment time is also longer, sometimes up to 50% more for Ulthera. This all gets passed on to the patient resulting in Ulthera being about double the price of the Infini in most offices.
Although Ulthera touts that deeper penetration causes contraction of the SMAS, to Dr. Weiner’s knowledge, this has yet to proven histologically. The deeper penetration does lead to more discomfort as well as potential for fat destruction. The Infini targets the dermis, particularly the deep dermis, the area for maximal collagen creation.
Results seem to be more consistent with the Infini versus Ulthera. This seems to follow the science. More coagulation points in the correct zone of the dermis should lead to more collagen, more tightening.
Superficial fine lines can be treated with the Infini but not Ulthera. In certain cases with skin type 1-3, shallow treatments of less than 1 mm can be used to treat these wrinkles and etched in lines. Ulthera doesn’t have this capability.
Although there are some reports of Ulthera treating acne scars, Infini seems to be the best technology to treat these. It is probably the combination of the microneedles, RF energy, and adjustable depths that make it a superior technology to treat this difficult problem.

From about 2005 – 2009, Thermage was the most advanced noninvasive skin tighten device. This was replaced with Ulthera in 2009, which offered better, safer, and more predictable results because of precisely placed coagulation zones (albeit, maybe too deep). In 2013, Infini was introduce and it has been slow to catch on. However it is finally being adopted by the key thought leaders in the Aesthetic Industry. It will soon be recognized as the most efficacious noninvasive skin tightening technology on the market.

Blog: http://stevenfweinermd.wordpress.com/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/StevenFWeinerFacial

Website: http://www.theclinique.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheAestheticClinique/

State of the Art in Acne Scar Treatment – 2015

Dr. Weiner: Acne Scarring after 2 Infini treatments.

Acne affects 85% of people between the ages of 12 – 24. There are various types of acne that range from simple black/white heads, papules/pustules, to the cystic breakouts. It’s the cystic acne that leads to most of the scarring. Acne scarring can have a impact on one’s appearance leading to a significant emotional toll. Lack of self esteem, social withdrawal, negative self image, and depression have all been described by acne scarring sufferers. Acne scarring questions are one of the most frequently asked questions to the experts on Realself.com. It’s important for the medical community to address this problem for the overall well being of a significant segment of the population.

It might seem obvious, but in order to treat acne scarring, the active acne must be controlled. It’s the author’s opinion that acne can be controlled with topical medications combined with lasers. A newer treatment, recently popularized by Dr. Weiner, has been the use of Botox/Dysport for controlling the sebum production in the skin. Please see my blog for more details about acne treatments.

Fresh Acne Scarring Treatment

When acne scarring is still red, treatment is easier and results are better. The primary treatment for scars in this stage is vascular lasers. It has been found that early scar formation can be reversed using these lasers over several sessions. The author’s choice of lasers is the Spectra Q Switched Laser – Gold Handpiece. This offers a quick (5 minute) nearly painless treatment. It should be done 4-6 times in general. Other laser options are the Excel V or the VBeam. Some small smoldering areas of acne are treated simultaneously with these lasers as well.

Long Standing/Persistent Scarring Treatment

Longer standing scars are harder to treat than early red scars. Collagen has been laid down in an inappropriate, disorganized manner. Treatments are directed at breaking up this collagen and for it to reorganize in a more natural manner. There are a few ways this can be done:

Lasers: There are ablative (tissue is removed) and non ablative (tissue is heated) lasers. There is more downtime, more risk, and more results with the ablative lasers. Darker skin types are at risk for darkening of their pigmentation (hyperpigmentation)
Subcision: Using a needle or similar, the physician goes under the scars and cuts them from their deeper attachments. This process has been used for decades and has minimal risk and downtime. It’s the authors opinion that unless something is placed in the area where scarring was cut, the scar will reform between the “sticky edges” as it does in all other surgical wounds. Bellafill is a permanent filler that was recently FDA approved for acne scars. Dr. Weiner suggests placement of Bellafill in these subcised scars to keep the edges from tacking back down, and to fill lost volume in the rolling acne scars.
Microneedling Fractional (Controlled Depth) Radiofrequency: This technique uses RF energy to break up and reduce the scarring with coagulation. The healing process leads to a more organized collagen matrix. The best in class device for this category is the Infini from Lutronic. The insulated needles, variable depths, and fractional delivery make it extremely safe for all skin types with minimal downtime and risk.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP): PRP has been shown to improve healing times and results in many areas of orthopedics. As of yet, there are no studies that definitively say that PRP can help acne scarring but there are several case reports that it improves outcomes. It is probably an effective addition to laser or RF procedures when treating acne scars with no known detrimental side effects.

Dr. Weiner Recommendations for Mature/Long Standing Acne Scars:

The most effective energy based treatment for acne scars seems to be the Infini. Results from ablative lasers (CO2), and non ablative lasers (Fraxel 1550) don’t seem to match the Infini’s results in his clinical experience. Patient satisfaction is higher with Infini, with much less downtime and a safety profile, particular in darker skin types, unmatched by the lasers.

For persistent defects after 3 or more treatments with the Infini, subcision with Bellafill administration is then recommended. It typically will take about 2 treatments, 2 months apart, to get optimal results with this method. This is only practical on about 10 – 15 lesions at a single session.

PRP can improve healing times and may improve results.

Remember that acne scars “won’t go away” but will be improved with the treatments mentioned.

Blog: http://stevenfweinermd.wordpress.com/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/StevenFWeinerFacial

Website: http://www.theclinique.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheAestheticClinique/

Why Juvederm is NOT a good choice for the Tear Trough or Eye Area

Juvederm is one of the most popular dermal fillers in the US. As with most fillers, it is only FDA approved for the nasolabial folds, but is used “off label” in other areas of the face. Although Juvederm is a very safe filler for use around the face, there are certain characteristics that make it the wrong choice for filling the “tear trough” and areas around the eye.

Like many of the popular FDA approved fillers, Juvederm is a hyaluronic acid (HA) filler. The other commonly used HA fillers are Restylane, Perlane, Voluma, and Belotero. One of the characteristics of HA fillers that extends their longevity is that they are hydrophilic. Hydrophilic means “water loving” which translates into the HA fillers absorbing up to 10 times their volume with water from the surrounding tissues. Although all the HA fillers have this characteristic, Juvederm is the MOST HYDROPHILIC of the dermal fillers mainly because it is has the highest concentration of HA. This is a disadvantage around the eye because it often results in PROLONGED EDEMA around the eye. All the HA fillers have been known to do this but it is particularly common with Juvederm. Dr. Weiner has seen this problem with people that have been injected with Juvederm in the tear trough even up to 3 years earlier. RealSelf.com is replete with stories and pictures of very unhappy patients with this Juvederm problem.

Another disadvantage of Juvederm in the eye area is related to its cohesivity. This is the ability of the product to bind to itself. Juvederm has low cohesivity, which means it tends to spread to the surrounding areas, causing a correction to areas beyond the injected area. This is fine for some areas, but in the tear trough, which is a very small area, doctors need precise control of the filler. The physician wants to know that when he places the filler in the tear trough, it will stay exactly there, and it doesn’t with Juvederm.

Fortunately, hyaluronidase is an antidote for HA fillers, and can be used for dissolving fillers with poor cosmetic results. For Juvederm, dissolving with hyaluronidase is harder and requires more treatments than the other HA fillers. Some believe this is related to the higher cross linking in Juvederm than other fillers. Nonetheless, Juvederm can be successfully reversed even in instances where the chronic edema has been present for several years.

Around the eye and tear trough area, the HA filler of choice should be Restylane. There are some physicians that are happy with Belotero and Restylane Silk. Another great option is Sculptra but only in very experienced hands. Remember too, that cannulas are a much safer option for the injection in this area, with less risk, less bruising, and less downtime.

Blog: http://stevenfweinermd.wordpress.com/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/StevenFWeinerFacial

Website: http://www.theclinique.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheAestheticClinique/

Most Frequently Asked Questions about Infini, RF Skin Tightening from Lutronic

What makes Infini different than other RF devices? The long answer can be found at my blog post. The short answer is: fractional not bulk heating, needles are insulated, needle depths are variable, coagulation occurs for maximal collagen stimulation, and the epidermis is safely protected from the heat. This allows for a very safe treatment for all skin types, that is also very effective.
What long term complications have you (Dr. Weiner) seen? With over 1000 treatments, I have seen no long term complications. No skin atrophy, no unintended fat loss, no scarring, and no pigment changes.
How long does a treatment take? With an experienced provider, the face treatment takes about 45 minutes, and if the neck is included, add another 15 minutes.
How long is recovery? The initial redness subsides very rapidly in the first hour. It takes about 24-36 hours to resolve, as does the swelling. Rarely, patients report extend redness for a few more days.
What are the restrictions after the Infini? Skin care must be only the prescribed creams. No make up until the morning and care with touching the skin with unclean hands or towels. There are no activity or sun restrictions!
Is ice or steroids used after the treatment? It is not recommended to use either of these after Infini. Although there is no data, it is Dr. Weiner’s opinion that the results can be compromised if ice or steroids are used. The results are dependant on inflammation, and “heat shock proteins”, both of which are inhibited with ice and steroids.
How many treatments are needed? Good question. It is variable. To get maximum benefit, the general consensus is 3. Some people might be happy with only one, but that is uncommon. Younger patients wanting only preventative treatments can get one yearly. Acne scarring clients should consider at least 3, and might be more satisfied with 5 or 6.
How does Infini affect fillers? If the fillers are injected deeply below the skin (sub Q, or deeper), such as is done by Dr. Weiner using the blunt cannulas, the fillers should not be affected. Sculptra and Bellafill are not affected at any depth and are frequently done at the same time as the Infini by Dr. Weiner. If the filler is placed in the dermis, they are at risk of being degraded.
How long should I wait between treatments? Consecutive treatments can be done as close as 3 or 4 weeks. If this is not possible because of your schedule, don’t worry, the final results are not affected.
How painful is the Infini? Most patients will rate the majority of the procedure a 3 or 4/10. The areas which might be higher are over the bone, such as the forehead, cheeks, and jawline. We have recently implemented changes in technique to make all but the forehead more comfortable. The forehead can be excluded if desired. All patients report no discomfort when the procedure is complete.
Can the Infini be used on other parts of the body? We routinely treat the neck and chest in conjunction with the face treatment. Other areas we have treated are arm laxity, knee area, and scars from abdominal surgery. Stretch marks have been treated but results are variable. We have successfully treated hyperhidrosis with the Infini as well. Bottom line is that when appropriate depths and settings are used, the Infini can be used on all areas of the body.
How many passes are performed on each area? Each area is treated at least with 3 depths and 2 passes for each depth. Some areas area treated at 4 or 5 depths.
What patients would you exclude? Very few patients wouldn’t be candidates. Patients with pacemakers should not be treated. If there is metal in an area of the face, the skin overlying this area can not be treated. Patients on blood thinners can be treated but will get bruising. We try to hold all thinners if it is possible prior to treatment. Aspirin needs 12 days for it’s action to be completely reversed on the platelets. Patients with severely sun damaged skin will theoretically respond less than a person with healthy skin.
Why is Infini safe for darker skin patients? The Infini is protective of the epidermis, where the pigment cells are, because it’s needles are insulated. Also, the depth can be adjusted so the heat from the RF stays in the dermis, below the most superficial layer. Other devices are either not insulated, or try to push heat through the skin, potentially damaging the pigment cells.
How does the Infini compare to lasers for treating acne scars? The Infini is safer than a laser, with less downtime, and no risk to the eyes. As stated above, the darker skin patients can be treated more safely with the Infini when compared to a laser because a laser will heat the upper layer of skin, the epidermis. Lasers have the risk of pigment changes (darker or lighter). Results from Infini appear to be better than lasers for acne scars. It is postulated the the increased depths of the Infini (up to 3.5mm) vs lasers (maximum about 1.8mm) seems to the difference. Also, elastin is produced (elastinosis) in response to a RF treatment, and this is not the case in laser resurfacing.
How long do results last? This is a difficult question and will be different for each patient. The collagen created will last at least 7 years. However, the amount of collagen is variable, and depends on the overall skin health, patient’s health, smoking habits, age, tanning, sun exposure, and lifestyle. It is usually recommended to have a “touch up” performed every 12-18 months.
What is better, Infini or Ulthera? My new blog answers this in detail: Infini vs Ulthera

Blog: http://stevenfweinermd.wordpress.com/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/StevenFWeinerFacial

Website: http://www.theclinique.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheAestheticClinique/

Various Acne Treatments offered by Dr. Steven Weiner

[wpvideo r22WEz2Z]

Blog: http://stevenfweinermd.wordpress.com/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/StevenFWeinerFacial

Website: http://www.theclinique.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheAestheticClinique/

For Restylane Silk…Size Matters…Smaller is Better

Lip Enhancement with Restylane Silk.

Traumatic Lip before Restylane Silk Treatment

One Day after Restylane Silk Treatment

Dr. Weiner performing Lip Enhancement with Restylane Silk – Before

Immediately after Dr. Weiner injected Restylane Silk

[youtube=http://youtu.be/s8-Sqp3IVy0]

[youtube=http://youtu.be/8ARHDGaQqhs]

Restylane has become the number one trusted dermal filler in the world. With over 20 million treatments worldwide, and numerous publish studies, Restylane’s safety and efficacy is well established. It is composed of hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance that is found in skin and joints. It’s duration of action is about 6-12 months, depending on the location it is placed. (My other blog explains duration in more detail) Crosslinking, a process that joins adjacent strands of the HA, is essential, because the breakdown of the HA would occur in weeks without it.

Restylane is composed of similarly sized HA particles, with a concentration of 100,000 per ml. Perlane, a “cousin” of Restylane, is exactly the same as Restylane, except that it’s concentration is 10,000 particles per ml. Both of these products have been on the US market for years, Restylane since 2005, and Perlane since 2007. Restylane Silk, the newest US FDA approved filler, is composed of 500,000 HA particles per ml.

This means that the Restylane Silk HA particle is 1/5th the size of the regular Restylane HA particle, and that’s the reason behind it’s magic.

Although Restylane Silk was approved in the US in 2014, it has been used under the name Restylane Fine Lines for over 15 years in Canada. There has been a huge experience in Canada using this product to improve superficial fine lines and in LIP ENHANCEMENT. In the US, there are now only 2 FDA approved fillers for the lips, Restylane, and Restylane Silk. Silk is also approved for the perioral area (area around the mouth). It’s the author’s opinion that part of the problem lip enhancement has been disappointing to many patients is that US physicians didn’t have access to the proper filler. Fish lips, sausage lips, uneven lips, overfilled lips have dissuaded many potential patients from ever trying lip enhancement.

The small particle size of Restylane Silk allows the skilled and experienced physician to add product in the very superficial aspect of the lip, in the submucosa. This was impossible with other fillers without lumps being visible. The product spreads in this plane, so only a couple points of injection are needed in each quadrant of the lip. By being so superficial, and with only a couple injection points, the discomfort associated with the injection is markedly decreased. In addition, by staying superficial, and not deep, the risk of a bruise is significantly less. Very precise alloquots of Restylane Silk can be placed along the border of the lip (vermillion), cupids bow and peaks, in the tubercles, and corners of the mouth much easier than the larger particle HA fillers.

The addition of Restylane Silk to the aesthetic physician’s armamentarium fills a necessary niche that was missing in lip enhancement. Patients can now anticipate less bruising, less discomfort, less lumps, with better and more natural results, thanks to the smaller particle size of Restylane Silk.

Blog: http://stevenfweinermd.wordpress.com/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/StevenFWeinerFacial

Website: http://www.theclinique.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheAestheticClinique/

Move over VBeam, There’s a New Gold Standard for Treating Reds, Rosacea, and Vessels…The Excel V Laser

It was 1986 that the VBeam was originally FDA approved to treat red skin lesions. That’s almost 30 years ago. It’s been a good run, but it’s time to give up the number one spot to the Excel V laser. There are several reasons that the VBeam is inferior to the Excel V which will be elaborated below.

The Excel V is actually 2 lasers, a 532 nm KTP laser and a 1064nm YAG laser. (The Vbeam is a 595nm Pulsed Dye Laser). With the 2 wavelengths, several more possible treatments are available that the VBeam cannot do. Typically, the longer the wavelength, the deeper the laser is capable of going. So basically, by the addition of the 1064 laser, spider veins, and deeper blue vessels of the face and legs can now be treated.

In clinical studies, the 532 wavelength has been shown to have a 5 times higher affinity for oxyhemoglobin than the 595 wavelength. What that means is the Excel V’s laser is much better absorb by the red color (hemoglobin)
in the vessels being treated, resulting in more heat getting into the vessels, and thus, better outcomes. Side by side studies of the 2 lasers confirm this.

Cooling is necessary to protect the skin with both lasers. With the VBeam, a blast of cryogen is sprayed simultaneously with the laser pulse. This technology is called DCD, Dynamic Cooling Device, and is not perfect. If the laser is not held perpendicular to the skin, the cooled area might not correlate to the exact area of the laser pulse and therefore possible complications can result. The Excel V has a sapphire cooling tip that allows for cooling of the exact area that is treated. It also allows for pre, parallel, and post pulse cooling, leading to a safer and more comfortable treatment, with less risk to the skin.

Several user improvements make for a shorter, more time efficient treatment for both the physician and patient. The warm up time for the VBeam can be 20 minutes, but for the Excel V, it is less than 1 minute. Changes during the treatment with either spot size, power, or pulse duration, all require recalibration by the VBeam, but are pretty much done on the fly (Real Time Auto-calibration) with the Excel V. Changes to spot size are frequently done during laser treatments, and with the VBeam, this requires removal and replacement of the handpiece compared to the Excel V which is just done by hitting a button on the computer interface. There are much more spot sizes available with the Excel V vs the VBeam as well, allowing for more accurate treatments.

The following can be treated with the Excel V:

Telangiectasias
Angiomas
Rosacea
Generalized redness
Blue vessels around eye, forehead, temple
Port wine stains
Vascular lakes
Spider Veins
Reticular Veins
Scars
Skin tags
Bruising
Redness associated with acne
Activation of Levulan
Hair removal in small areas for all skin types (even type 5 and 6)
Benign pigmented lesions
Photofacial

The Excel V has now replaced the VBeam as the Gold Standard for treating all vascular lesions. It’s safe, diverse (2 lasers), and gives more effective treatments, making it an easy choice for both patients and physicians.

Blog: http://stevenfweinermd.wordpress.com/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/StevenFWeinerFacial

Website: http://www.theclinique.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheAestheticClinique/

The Top 5 Procedures for a Youthful Appearance

Filling The Temples Should Be Done With Sculptra…Period.

Sculptra is Different Than All Other Fillers: Natural, Structural Support, Cost Effective

Comparing Infini to Ulthera and Why Infini’s Technology is Superior for Laxity, Wrinkles, and Acne Scars

State of the Art in Acne Scar Treatment – 2015

Why Juvederm is NOT a good choice for the Tear Trough or Eye Area

Most Frequently Asked Questions about Infini, RF Skin Tightening from Lutronic

Various Acne Treatments offered by Dr. Steven Weiner

For Restylane Silk…Size Matters…Smaller is Better

Move over VBeam, There’s a New Gold Standard for Treating Reds, Rosacea, and Vessels…The Excel V Laser

Location

Follow Us

Recent Posts