How are Chemical Peels used?

These peels are used to repair damaged skin fromt he sun and wind. They can also treat fine lines, hyperpigmentation, acne scarring and help rejuvenate tired skin.

1. How does the procedure work?
2. What is the down-time?
3. Will I scar or bruise?

How does the procedure work?

This is a 1064 laser that is used for facial veins only.

What is the down-time?

There is no down time with this type of procedure.

Will I scar or bruise?

There is no scarring or bruising with this type of procedure.

1. How does the procedure work?
2. What is the down-time?

How does the procedure work?

The computer generates the exact depth to take off the right amount of skin to leave your skin softer and with reduced wrinkles.

What is the down-time?

The down time depends on the depth of the peel. Recovery for the Ten Micron Peel is one day.

1. How does the laser work?
2. How many sessions do I need?
3. How long will the results last?
4. Will the procedure hurt?

How does the laser work?

This laser uses a wavelength of 1319 to penetrate the laser light deep into the dermal collagen. This plumps up the skin and removes fines wrinkles.

How many sessions do I need?

For best results, 3-6 sessions are recommended.

How long with the treatments last?

Typically, results will last for several years.

Will the procedure hurt?

This treatment has been called the “non-invasive face life.” It is virtually painless, no down time and you can return to work immediately.

What is Skinceuticals®?

Skinceuticals® is a skin care system for advanced damaged and aged skin.

Obagi Nu-Derm® System Skin Care

What is Obagi Nu-Derm® System?

The goal of the Obagi Nu-Derm System is to create soft, radiant-looking skin, to increase skin tolerance to environmental assault and to restore normal skin functions. The Obagi System corrects surface discoloration and blemishes. Importantly, it also penetrates into the skin to stimulate skin cell renewal, improve circulation and help rebuild collagen. The normal barrier function of the skin is restored, making the skin less sensitive and better able to hydrate properly.

The Obagi Nu-Derm System of correction and stimulation will:

– Diminish fine lines and wrinkles

– Increase smoothness

– Reduce pore size

– Improve elasticity

– Generate a balanced, even skin tone

– Normalize oil production

– Reduce age spots and/or hyperpigmentation

– Increase the skin’s own ability to hold moisture

– Increase skin tolerance to all external factors

1. What is cellulite?
2. Will liposuction get rid of the cellulite?
3. How do we remove cellulite?
4. But what if I have both cellulite and those genetic hard to remove areas (tummy pooch and saddle bags)?
5. Why would I choose non-invasive methods vs. standard liposuction?
6. What are the limitations?
7. How does The Murray Center’s method differ from the endermology units for cellulite?
8. How many sessions will be required?
9. Will I also have to exercise?
10. Will I have to diet?

What is cellulite?
Cellulite is the external appearance of dimpling (cottage cheese texture) caused by an over accumulation of subsurface fat surrounded by a thickened fibrous capsule.

Will liposuction get rid of the cellulite?
No. Liposuction removes a much deeper layer of the fat and has no effect on cellulite.

How do we remove cellulite?
We have found that using ultrasound to break up the fat cells and vigorous massage that we can eliminate most cellulite.

But what if I have both cellulite and those genetic hard to remove areas (tummy pooch and saddle bags)?
Our research has shown that using a combination of different ultrasound machines at different frequencies, combined with a computerized electromechanical stimulation unit and massage we are able to greatly reduce the volume of those hard to get areas.

Why would I choose non-invasive methods vs. standard liposuction?
The recovery and therapeutic time for both is about 30 days. However, there frequently is dimpling, ridges uneven from right to left side and no effect on cellulite with liposuction surgery.

Secondly, when fat is surgically removed, a lot of the lymphatic system is also removed and this is the body’s natural way to eliminate fat when exercising. None of these occur with our non-invasive method.

What are the limitations?
First of all, this is not a method to lose weight. It, like liposuction, should be used only for body contouring of those difficult to eliminate areas.

How does The Murray Center’s method differ from the endermology units for cellulite?
In our four month study just completed, we used an endermology unit in one of our trials. We found that using the ultrasound units in combination with EMS and massage were superior than the endermology and with substantially less pain and no bruising.

How many sessions will be required?
Our protocols found that for the average person to get the results they were happy with took 15 sessions at 1 1/2 hours per session. The range was 10 to 20 sessions.

Will I also have to exercise?
Exercise is strongly recommended along with an increased intake of purified water.

Will I have to diet?
Certain foods contribute more to cellulite than others. A list of these foods will be provided to you once you start. Unlike liposuction, in which the fat is passively removed, the degree of your motivation and involvement will have a significant bearing on your end result.

Liposuction/Lipo-Sculpture is the most asked for cosmetic procedure in the U.S. There are innumerable variations on the techniques. I believe the bottom line is not the technique that matters the most but the skill of the Doctor holding the wand. The current fad is all about the Smart Lipo. A very catchy word for sure and it involves the use of a Laser wand to dissolve the fat before it is removed. This is very effective for small areas only and comes with a higher than normal price tag. Then there are the different types of oscillating wands. Some vibrate back wards and forward, others side to side, and still other in a random fashion. They all work – how well determines who is holding the wand. There is also Vaser which uses ultrasound energy to dissolve the fat and then suck it out, using this technique larger amounts of fat can be removed. Personally when I see some of the work done of T.V. I am horrified at the size of their catheters and their techniques. Dr Jeffery Kline invented the tumescent technique of anesthesia which uses a local solution so you are wide awake, small cannulas so there is alost no postoperative pain and virtually no visible scars. This takes longer but is also much safer. I am proud to tell you that Dr Kline also taught me how to do Liposuction.

What is Lipodissolve?

It is the injection of Phosphatidylcholine (PC) into fatty tissue to dissolve the fat.

What is Phosphatidylcholine (PC)?

Phosphatidylcholine is the chief component of soy lecithin. Lecithin is a natural phospholipd that breaks down fat.

Phosphatidylcholine is the most abundant phospholipid in animals and the building block of cellular membrane bi-layers. It also is the principal phospholipid circulating in plasma. It represents about 40% of the membrane phospholipid. Choline is not synthesized in the body but must be obtained from dietary source. Not exactly true. Small amounts of Choline can be made from the amino acids serine and methionine but it is so small and insignificant that it is still considered an essential nutrient (which means that in order to get enough of it, it has to be obtained from a dietary source). PC increases the solubility of cholesterol thereby decreasing its ability to form atherosclerosis.

The average daily requirement from women is 425mg/day and for men 500mg/day. The main dietary sources are cauliflower, lettuce, whole grains, liver and soy.

What is it used for?

Phosphatidylcholine has/is been used extensively all over the world for it’s cholesterol lowering effect and its action as a liver protective; it is recently also being used for “Off label use” by doctors to reduce localized accumulations of unsightly fat through injections due to it’s fat dissolving effect.

Other therapeutic uses for PC are in the treatment of acute and chronic viral hepatitis. Here it has been shown to decrease liver enzymes, serum lipids, reverse fatty acid degeneration, inflammation, jaundice, and liver fibrosis (1) (2). It has also been used for dissolving fat emboli, dyslipidemias (elevated cholesterol) and alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

What’s involved with treatment?

Injections can be uncomfortable and the duration of the treatment depends on the area treated. It appears that most patients experience a slight burning or tingling sensation right after the injections into the affected area which last for about 15-30 minutes. Redness or slight swelling may occur at the site for about 72 hours with some associated temporary bruising. Patients can expect to start seeing results usually within a few weeks after treatment. Once the fat has been “dissolved” the effect is permanent, however it is up to the patient to ensure that new fat deposits are not allowed to build up through poor diet and insufficient exercise.

Injections can be applied to the face for facial contouring, eye bags, chin area and neck. Equally, larger areas can be treated such as thigh, hip, stomach, upper arms, knees etc.

Fat deposits slowly fade away!

Lipodissolve injections should not be regarded as a new miracle drug for weight reduction. However in the case of fat deposits which cannot be removed by diet or exercise then lipodissolve injections are effective. They do this by helping the natural metabolic process during which fat is melted away and then eliminated from the body. The medication is directly injected into the area concerned.

For those who find liposuction “too much”, or those who have already had liposuction, and now find fat depositing in other areas, non-invasive lipodissolve for fat loss and body contouring is the perfect answer. This phospholipid was developed as an injection into the blood stream for the reduction of fat deposits in blood vessels.

Several years ago a cosmetic dermatologist discovered that if you inject the phospholipid into an area of fat deposit, the fat could be dissolved away. These areas may need multiple injection sessions to achieve desired results.

How does the treatment work?

Phosphatidylcholine breaks down the bonds in fat cells. This fat dissolves into liquid and is eliminated from the body in urine and feces.

An entirely nonsurgical method, the solution is injected into parts of the body with considerable fat deposits, which are then broken down and released through sweat, urine or feces.

Follow up sessions are carried out for areas with larger fatty deposits in order to achieve the desired size.

Is phosphatidylcholine safe?

Phosphatidylcholine is made from a natural phospholipid. However, in rare instances, side effects may occur. These side effects may include local pain, temporary bruising, itching and soreness for several days. Long term side effects are unknown at this point. Lipodissolve injections should be used under doctor’s supervision.

Toxicology

In therapeutic doses there are no acute or chronic toxicity from Phosphatidylcholine. There has been no mutagenicity and no teratogenicity. Up top 18 grams per day has been shown to be safe (3).

Is PC approved by the FDA for injection Lipolysis(dissolution of fat)?

No it is not. It is an “off label” use that uses the injection of 2.5 grams of PC into fatty tissue at intervals of 6-8 weeks. It should be noted that this dose is about 50% of the therapeutic dose used for liver salvage (4). Approved uses are for alcoholic cirrhosis and it is a component of TPN or Total Parenteral Nutrition (Intravenous feeding for paralyzed patients)

Who is not a candidate for Lipodissolve?

• Anyone under 18 years of age.
• Pregnant women or those who are thinking of getting pregnant.
• Anyone with an auto-immune disease or one in their immediate family.
• Anyone with a current infection anywhere in or on their body.
• Anyone with high cholesterol, which can be a promoter of auto immune disease, should be excluded.

References:

1. Hirayama, C; Okamura, M Tanikawa, Ket al. The Clinical Effect of Polyene Phosphatidylcholine in Chronic Hepatitis in a Double Blind Test. Rinsho to Kenkkyu 1978, 55, 194-198
2. Yano, M., Koga, M. Shirahama, S et al. Blind Assessment of Liver Biopsy Findings in Chronic Hepatitis: Drug Efficacy Trial of Polyenyl Phophatidylcholine. Shindan to chiryo 1978;9, 1783-1789
3. Phosphatidylcholine – www.woodmed.com/Phos%20Choline.htm
4. Hassengschwandtner, F Lipodissolve Members Circular 15, 2005 1st International Congress Injection Lipolysis, Frankfurt, 13 November 2004