truSculpt® iD offers alternative to cold-based body contouring
For patients of all skin types and body shapes, truSculpt®™ iD by Cutera (Brisbane, California, U.S.) delivers safe, effective hands-free applicator treatments for fat pockets in just 20 minutes or less. Additionally, truSculpt® iD offers an alternative to patients who are not candidates for, or did not have success with, cold-assisted body contouring.
One key aspect of cold-based contouring devices is that they can only treat fat that can be pulled into a vacuum applicator. truSculpt® iD sidesteps this problem because it does not use a vacuum. “You can treat fibrous or non-fibrous tissue all with the same device anywhere on the body,” said Amy Forman Taub, M.D., a dermatologist in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
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Additionally, anecdotal evidence suggests that patients with more brown fat, and/or connective tissue, have better temperature regulation, which can result in these types of patients being able to maintain their body temperature more effectively. Therefore, treatments that rely purely on cooling to cause hypothermia in the fat layer may not reduce fat temperature as effectively.
“There have been many reports suggesting that more fibrous fat seems softer than the usual ‘hard stick of butter’ appearance immediately after cold-based treatment because you’re not getting the temperature down as much,” Dr. Taub noted. “While this observation may impact the level of result or number of treatments needed, it is clear that this needs to be studied more closely before drawing any final conclusions in regard to efficacy and/or consistency.”
During treatment with truSculpt® iD, physicians strive to maintain a skin temperature of approximately 43.5° C, with a at temperature of 45° to 47° C.
“In the tests that have been done, more often than not, Asian patients with more connective tissue end up with internal fat temperatures much closer to 47° C,” Dr. Taub reported. “This may enhance the anecdotal impression that skin types IV through VI have more fibrous brown or brown and white types of fat, the latter of which may respond better to heat versus cold. We have been excited to see the consistency with truSculpt® iD across all skin and body types so far. Our studies have shown an average of 24% reduction in fat thickness after a single session.”
Small and medium-sized patients can have their abdomen and flanks done in a single session. Larger patients may require two back-to-back 15-minute sessions.
The truSculpt® iD’s electrodes adhere to a proprietary film that anchors the applicator and homogenizes energy delivery. “This allows us to use any orientation we like anywhere on the body simultaneously,” Dr. Taub shared.
A transparent silicone wrap adds a secondary securing of the electrodes while limiting heat diffusion in the fat layer. “This allows us to get the fat to higher temperatures while keeping the skin at a lower temperature, thus improving patient comfort,” Dr. Taub explained.
Setup takes only a few minutes, and truSculpt® iD requires no post-procedure massage. “As far as operator time in the room, we can get these sessions done in 20 minutes. That is four times faster than cold-based treatment for the same sized area, due to both the larger range of the applicators and the ability to skip the massage.”
Because truSculpt® iD uses heat to induce lipolysis, treatment also improves skin quality. In Dr. Taub’s experience, “the skin seems to be smoother, tighter and rejuvenated, which is an additional effect our patients appreciate.”
Patients begin noticing improvements around six weeks post-treatment, with optimum results at 12 weeks. Most patients return around months three to six to treat additional body areas after they have seen the sustained reduction and results from their first treatment area.
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