Radiofrequency For Cellulite & Fat In Townhead

Monopolar (also called Unipolar)

Monopolar or unipolar refers to a device having one pole or electrode.

With monopolar delivery, the current from the generating machine flows through the body from a single electrode (handpiece) and meets maximum resistance in the area around the tip of the handpiece, where tissue heating in the subdermal layers then occurs. A grounding, or “return pad” may also be used, attached to the patient’s lower back or abdomen, to provide a low resistance path for the current to flow back to the generating machine, to complete the electrical circuit.

Bipolar

Bipolar refers to a device having two poles or electrodes.

With bipolar delivery, the current from the generating machine flows only through the tissue which is between the two electrodes on the handpiece; these electrodes start and complete the electrical circuit. Hence, with bipolar delivery, no current flows through the rest of the body, so no grounding or return pad is needed.

In all cases of radiofrequency delivery types, it is the resistance to the current flow in the tissue, not the electrode that generates the heating effect.

There are currently only a small number of RF only devices within the UK market place, these include:

Thermage

The Thermage™ system is a monopolar RF device that uses patented technology within its ThermaTip™ to deliver RF energy deep into dermal tissues. This heating action causes deep collagen structures in the skin to immediately tighten. Over time, new collagen is produced by the body to further tighten the skin. This device was originally used mainly for facial rejuvenation but has now been expanded for use on other areas of the body and for the temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite.

It was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2002 for non-invasive treatment around the eyes, and then in June 2004 for the treatment of facial wrinkles, followed by off-face for the non-invasive treatment of wrinkles in January 2006. Thermage is the first and only system to receive FDA clearance for non-invasive eyelid treatments which was received in June 2007.  It is also FDA cleared for the temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite (when combined with vibration).  

Accent™ 

The Accent™ system boasts dual handpieces – a biopolar handpiece for volumetric dermal heating, aimed primarily at skin tightening treatments; and a monopolar one for a deep controlled penetration depth of the RF energy for fat reduction and cellulite treatment.

It was awarded a CE Mark in June 2005 for cellulite reduction, and FDA approval for the treatment of wrinkles in April 2007, with further approval for more applications currently pending.
 
Tripollar™
 
TriPollar™ radio frequency uses mono-polar and bipolar devices which utilise one or two poles to conduct the RF energy, TriPollar™ RF is claimed to be the only radio frequency technology in the world that simultaneously combines the effects of mono and bi-polar radio frequency in a single treatment, which the manufacturers claim produces better results with less pain.

Pure RF energy alone (such as the Accent™ device) or RF in combination with other modalities (such as the Velasmooth™ device which combines RF with infrared, tissue mobilisation and suction) can be used in treatments to effectively contour the body and reduce the appearance of cellulite and fat.
 
With deep, controlled heating of the fatty layers under the skin, the effects of tissue tightening and increased blood circulation mean that fatty deposits are drained through the lymphatic system, reducing the appearance of cellulite.

Careful discussions regarding your reasons for wanting treatment are very important before you begin the treatment. You must also make sure that this treatment can deliver what you want and how you would like to look afterwards. Your practitioner should be able to answer all these questions.

A medical history should also be taken to make sure that there are no reasons why you shouldn’t undertake treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form which means that you have understood the potential benefits and risks associated with the procedure.

Photographs may also be taken by the practitioner for a "before and after" comparison at a later date.

Procedure

Depending on your pain tolerance, a topical anaesthetic cream may then be applied to your skin a short time prior to treatment, to help numb the skin slightly; this will normally be removed using alcohol cleansers immediately before your clinician commences the procedure.

Depending on the device being used and your practitioner, a “treatment grid” may then be drawn over the treatment area to assist the practitioner in navigating whilst delivering the RF energy; helping to assure an even application of the RF.

A lubricating oil, gel or cream will then also be applied over the area to be treated which acts as an additional barrier between the surface layers of your skin and the handpiece of the device, mainly to avoid skin chafing.

Your clinician will then commence the RF treatment working across the treatment area. Once completed a soothing gel/lotion or cold pack may be applied to your skin.

Repeat Procedures

Depending on the device being used it may be recommended to have a session twice weekly with an average of 8 - 10 sessions in a treatment programme, or a session once every 1 - 2 weeks with an average of 8 sessions in a programme, however with all devices ongoing monthly maintenance will be required; your practitioner will be able to determine a course of treatments specific to you and your needs.

As the treatment is carried out you will experience heating sensations every time the RF energy is delivered to your skin and underlying tissue.

Some devices have inbuilt cooling mechanisms, to protect your skin from the heating, and make the treatment more comfortable.

As each person's pain tolerance and threshold varies, it is difficult to quantify how painful or uncomfortable the treatment is. It also depends on the device used and the power settings for the treatment. Your clinician may offer you anaesthetic options, such as a topical anaesthetic cream applied to your skin prior to treatment, or relaxants and pain management drugs, that can minimize your discomfort.

The most frequently reported side effects of treatment with RF energy are swelling, redness or bruising on or around the treated area, which typically disappear in a few days or weeks. There are also reports of a feeling of dry skin in the treated area for a couple of days, lubrication with aloe-vera can be helpful for this.

Some people may notice a slight increase in urine output following treatment, especially with the Velasmooth™. This is because any excessive fluid build up in between cells in the area treated is drained through the lymphatic system via the treatment process – this then gets excreted in the urine.

In very rare circumstances and if the correct instructions are not followed by the practitioner, it is possible to suffer from a skin burn.

As long as you are generally healthy and don’t have any skin diseases or infections in the area treated, there are few medical reasons why patients should not undergo this treatment.

People with sensory disturbance to the skin may not be considered good candidates as this could make the reporting of discomfort during the procedure unreliable, leading to potential harm.

Although there is no evidence that this treatment is harmful for pregnant women, you would generally be advised to wait until after you have given birth before embarking upon a course of treatment.

More importantly, people with electrical devices e.g., pacemakers, or metal implants e.g., artificial metal hip joints, heart valves or dental plates, cannot be treated because RF current flowing through the body may interfere with these devices or heat up metal implants, which could be dangerous.

You will not be able to access this treatment via the National Health Service.

Private prices for radiofrequency treatments depend on the area(s) being treated and the device being used.
 
Private costs for Velasmooth™ can range from £80 - £100 per 60 minute session, often with a discount for a course of 8 - 12 treatments.
 
Private costs for Accent™ body contouring and cellulite treatments can start from approximately £100 - £300 per body area per session. Discounts often apply for a course of sessions.

Private costs for TriPollar™ treatments depend on the area(s) being treated and can range between £80 - £200 per area per session. Discounts often apply for a course of sessions.

RF energy treatment is a new and promising technology for non-surgical body contouring, fat and cellulite reduction.

Based on current RF technologies available, most people should see at least a mild improvement in their skin tone and smoothness, with a temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite and possible inch loss, with minimal risks and downtime compared to surgery.

It is difficult to assess the differences in results between the differing RF technologies that are currently available, and as this market place expands, we anticipate seeing many more devices introduced, with newer improved treatment methods and protocols to further enhance patient comfort and results.