What Is Non-Invasive Liposuction?

Like liposuction, Lipo-Ex is used to remove stubborn fat from trouble spots like love handles, saddle bags, upper arms and lower abdomen. Unlike liposuction, however, Lipo-Ex can be performed in a medical spa setting without anesthesia and without the need for pain medication. The procedure, which feels like a hot stone massage, involves the use of a handheld device and radiofrequency waves to melt fat cells in targeted areas. The fat is then naturally eliminated by the body’s lymphatic system.

Fat Loss + Skin Tightening

One of the reasons why Lipo-Ex is so exciting, Dr. Helm explains, is that it can be used for more than just fat reduction. Unlike liposuction, which often leaves behind loose, sagging skin, Lipo-Ex can be used to achieve a skin tightening effect.

When the procedure is performed for fat loss purposes, a plate is used behind the body to draw the radiofrequency wave in from a handpiece that emits it. The skin tightening effect is achieved using a special, separate handpiece that acts as its own bipolar frequency wave. The two handpieces can be used within the same treatment to achieve the best possible results.

When it comes to stretch marks, Lipo-Ex wasn’t designed specifically to treat them, but does have a beneficial effect. “Most of the studies done on Lipo-Ex have been looking only at fat loss,” Dr. Helm says. “But researchers have discovered along the way that the treatment also helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.” Stretch marks, she says, are treated in the same manner as loose and sagging skin.

What Kind of Results Can You Expect?

Because stretch marks vary greatly in their severity and color, results with Lipo-EX also vary. “Generally, we’re seeing about a 20% to 30% reduction in stretch marks on targeted areas,” says Dr. Helm. Stretch marks, she says, can occur as the result of weight gain or weight loss. The skin-tightening effect of Lipo-Ex, however, ensures that fat loss in targeted areas doesn’t result in new stretch marks while also improving the appearance of existing ones.

Where to Get It

In Tampa, the premier medical spa offering treatment with Lipo-Ex is The Signature Medical Spa. While there are other liposuction alternatives out there for Tampa residents, Dr. Helm says that they simply don’t offer the same benefits or results as Lipo-Ex. “This is the only truly non-invasive liposuction in Tampa,” she says.

Stretch marks, or striae, are a type of scarring usually brought on by excessive weight gain or loss, such as  pregnancy. Certain activities such as weightlifting can also cause stretch marks. This is because stretching breaks down the collagen in your skin, creating scarring as it heals. Genetic factors can also play a role. For example, women whose mothers have stretch marks are significantly more likely to get stretch marks themselves. Some of the most commonly affected areas are the lower back, stomach, arms, breasts and hips.

When they first begin to form, stretch marks will appear in streaks and will usually be pink, red or brown, depending on your skin tone and the stage your stretch marks in. Over time, stretch marks tend to take on a lighter silvery or white color.

So now that we know what stretch marks are and what causes them, how can you get rid of them? First, let’s talk about prevention rather than how to get rid of the problem once it’s occurred. Stretch marks are harder to get rid of once they enter that silvery-white phase. So it’s best to address the problem as soon as possible.

Prevention
A few tips on how to prevent stretch marks include:

• Try not to gain or lose too much weight in a short period of time.
• Exercise regularly to keep your weight down. You’ll enjoy the many benefits that come with exercise, including improved mental health, higher energy levels and lower risk of serious chronic diseases such as osteoporosis and heart disease.
• Diet plays an important part in stretch mark prevention. Drinking plenty of water hydrates your skin, lowering the risk of stretch marks. Certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc, and foods that are high in protein have been associated with skin health and can also help prevent stretch marks. Some doctors claim that caffeine can promote stretch marks, but the science is out on this one.
• For the same reason that drinking water can help prevent stretch marks, moisturizers also work. So it is especially important for pregnant women who are concerned about stretch marks to moisturize. Hydrated skin stretches more easily, which minimizes its damage.

Treatment

In addition to exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet and moisturizing, treatment options for stretch marks also include topical creams and surgery.

Ointments: Retinoids, which are a chemically similar to vitamin A, have been shown to increase collagen production, which improves the elasticity of your skin. Retinoids can be prescribed by your doctor. Do not use retinoids while pregnant. A common complaint with retinoids is that they can cause irritation, so if you have sensitive skin you may want to start with retinol, a topical cream that can be bought over the counter.

Surgery: Laser surgery technologies such as vascular and fractional lasers have shown promise in treating stretch marks at all levels of development by promoting the growth of healthy collagen, which in turn promotes skin health and elasticity. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion have also been shown to be effective in the treatment of stretch marks.

It’s important to note that stretch marks are a cosmetic, not a medical, concern, unless they’re caused by obesity. If you’re concerned about getting stretch marks, don’t hesitate to consult with your doctor. After all, up to 90% of American women will have some form of stretch marks in their lifetime, according to Dr. obstetrician-gynecologist James Brann, M.D.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

Tags: chemical peels, diet, hydration, laser surgery, microdermabrasion, plastic surgery, purplish, retinoids, retinol, silver, stretch marks, striae, surgery, water, weight loss, White

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In most cases, the goal of stretch mark treatments is to make them less red and obvious, not to make them go away completely.

In reality, there is no real way to prevent stretch marks – with the exception of not suddenly putting on excess weight in a short period of time. We get stretch marks for a variety of reasons: hormones, pregnancy, weight gain. If your mother had them, there’s a good chance you’ll get them too.

The big question, then, is not what kind of coconut oil or Vitamin A cream to rub all over your skin to ward stretch marks off, but what to do about them once they appear.

Why We Get Stretch Marks
Stretch marks, or striae distensae, are simply tiny skin tears that occur when we grow too quickly. They are actually little scars which occur when the lower skin layer tears when it doesn’t stretch as quickly as the upper layer.

Girls – and some boys – get them during adolescence, we get them when we get pregnant, and we get them at any time in our lives when we suddenly find our bodies getting bigger fast. In fact, it’s estimated that 90 percent of women get stretch marks when they are expecting, whether it’s a deep purple and red map across the belly, or a few fine lines on the breasts.

The most common places for stretch marks to appear, in both men and women, are the tummy, thighs, hips, breasts and lower back. Some people also get them on their upper arms.

Getting Rid of Stretch Marks
Once those dreaded marks appear, things are a bit different. Many fade in time so they are only discernible close up. Yet some, especially on post-pregnancy bellies, can drastically change the appearance of your skin, changing it from a pristine expanse of creamy skin to an angry road map of blue and red highways in a short period of time.

There are four main ways to attempt to get rid of them once they appear – but some medical professionals say you will be fighting a losing battle (unless you excise them away, as in option four). In most cases, the goal will be to make them less red and obvious, not to make them go away completely. These methods are:

• Chemical Peel
• Dermabrasion
• Laser Surgery
• Excision Surgery

Chemical Peel. This method is perhaps the most straightforward: in involves putting acid and chemicals onto your skin (sounds fun!) to take away the top layers and reveal less blemished skin underneath. The chemicals “damage” the tissue of the skin, which in turn triggers the healing process underneath the top layer.

Dermabrasion. This method works best only in the case of light stretch marks which are only on the surface of the kin, as it does not penetrate the skin layers very deeply. It involves “sanding” away the top layer of skin with a special instrument, and is very painful – which is why local anesthesia is used.

Microdermabrasion, or Microderm, can work well too – it involves using a hand-held wand with a roughened surface to slough away the skin. Less invasive than full-on dermabrasion, it can be carried out at a med spa and does not require anesthesia. Be aware, however, that you will require a series of treatments for full effect, so although this method might appear cheap at first glance, the cost can add up significantly.

Laser Surgery. This method is a highly debatable one. On the negative side, it’s argued that lasers cannot repair tissue, so they cannot be “fixed”. On the positive side, it’s argued that laser therapy can work by stimulating the production of collagen underneath the skin, therefore producing a cosmetic effect with which most people are satisfied.

If you decide to have laser surgery, your skin will turn a bit pink at first, then get darker (temporarily) after subsequent treatments. Only you will decide whether the time and cost is worth it, as results vary from individual to individual.

As lasers respond to darker colors, it is better to have your stretch marks treated when they are in their early stages, when they are red or purple and before they begin to fade. Remember, lasers will not make stretch marks disappear altogether, but they can make them much less visible.

Excision Surgery. The most definitive way to get rid of them is to have them surgically excised, or cut away. This is only possible in areas where there is excess skin, however. Best candidates are post-pregnancy women desiring a tummy tuck, with loose, flabby skin that is marred by stretch marks.

Prevention Before They Appear
Some people will get stretch marks no matter what, such as the majority of pregnant women. In other cases, it may be possible to keep them from occurring, at least to some extent. Try these tips:

• Avoid fast weight gain. When the skin is stretched to quickly to accommodate a growing bulk, the end result is that stretch marks are likely to occur. Keeping your weight constant (at a healthy level) is the best way to avoid this. Obviously, pregnancy doesn’t count!
• Cut down your caffeine intake.
• Eat a balanced diet including foods containing nutrients that are good for the skin, such as Vitamin A and C, silica and zinc.
• Drink a lot of healthy fluids to keep your skin hydrated and pliable.
• Exercise regularly.

Moisturise and also have regular massages when you are pregnant. It is thought that rubbing the belly and breast regularly help keep the tissues of the skin in better shape. Wearing a decent support bra will also help keep stretch marks from appearing on your breasts.

Nobody likes stretch marks, but take comfort in the fact that they usually fade over time. And if not, you can always take solace in buying loads of new cosmetic creams and foundations to cover them up!