Skin Tight

Posted: Thursday 24 June 2010 05:35pm

Procedures to zap fat can sometimes create as much of a problem as the one it treated – without the extra “padding”, there’s the risk of being left with a whole lot of loose skin.

A new procedure, BodyTite by Invasix, currently being trialled by two Australian doctors, promises to address both fat and skin using a technology called RFAL, or Radio Frequency Assisted Liposuction.

In addition to fat reduction, which is said to be gentler due a pre-heating process, BodyTite uses the oscillation of radio frequency to essentially “shrink” skin into a tighter state.

Traditional liposuction involves loosening, sculpting and removing fat with a cannula and vacuum suctioning. But it doesn’t address slack skin, which may be an issue for people who’ve experienced the stretching that comes with weight fluctuation or pregnancy, or the loss of elasticity with age.

“BodyTite uses radiofrequency to melt fat, tighten skin and stop bleeding, thus causes less bruising and allows a quick recovery time,” says cosmetic surgeon Dr Joseph Ajaka, of Sydney’s Cosmos Cosmetic Clinic.

The system can be used on most of the areas that traditional liposuction is performed, such as the hips, buttocks, thighs, arms and neck and “is very useful for tightening of the skin post-pregnancy and for treating `tuck shop’ arms,” adds Dr Ajaka.

A patient is given light sedation, followed by a small incision and the injection of a numbing solution into the area to be treated.

A cannula is then passed under the skin which has an external probe to measure the temperature of the skin to ensure uniform energy delivery throughout the treatment area.

The doctor delivers radiofrequency into the area until he/she feels it has melted enough fat and tightened the skin. The procedure takes between one and two hours. Some swelling and a feeling of tightness in the skin is to be expected and the patient is asked to wear a compression garment for a week afterwards.

Dr Ajaka says the system is quicker than laser-assisted lipolysis “and may be more effective for skin tightening.

“Patients see optimum results for their body shape in six weeks and three months for the skin tightening.”

He and Gold Coast cosmetic surgeon Dr John Flynn are so far the only practitioners in Australia using the system, which has been approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Surgeons in the US have been conducting trials on cellulite with BodyTite, says Dr Ajaka, and early reports “are promising”.

Ballpark cost: Between $3-$10,000 depending on the size of the area(s) to be treated.

by Jenni Gilbert

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