• General Information

4.- ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES, LASER AND RADIOFREQUENCY

There are several systems for the combined treatment of cellulite using laser and other energy sources.

I. Devices that combine several low intensity therapies:

• Velashape® emits light close the 700 Nm, together with continual radiofrequency delivery and vacuum therapy.

• Triactive® by Cynosure combines 810 nm laser delivery through 6 diodes with local massage and cooling.

• SmoothShape® emits 920 nm of continuous laser at 6 W and non-coherent pulsed light in the realm of 600 Nm, together with vacuum therapy and massage.

II. Devices that involve more specific treatment, based on higher intensity laser and radiofrequency emissions. CELLULITE treatment is based on these.

• RADIOFREQUENCY

Radiofrequency (RF) is an electromagnetic radiation located between infrared radiation and long waves. Specifically, the therapeutic range which we refer to is between the medium and short wave. When applied to the tissue, it causes rapid oscillations of the electromagnetic fields, causing rotational movement of the water molecules, increasing their temperature and transferring the heat to the surrounding tissue.

The thermal effects obtained are determined by the RF type, the power level, treatment duration and the type of tissue to be treated.

The type of RF applied, whether unipolar or bipolar, as well as the size and shape of the electrode also influence the physiological effect.

The aim is to heat the tissue at a temperature of 55-62ºC (this is the range in which the phenomena described below occurs) to achieve an improvement in the cellulite.

Heating the dermal fibres and fat tissue leads to an immediate contraction.

Heating the dermis also induces mid-term collagen remodelling due to the formation of HSP (Heat Shock Proteins) molecules that synthesize faced with certain stimuli and initiate tissue repair. Specifically with the RF treatment, HSP-47 is synthesized. This protein resides in the Endoplasmic Reticulum and clearly identifies the Collagen Triple Helix. The Type I collagen molecules can only be correctly assembled in three dimensional form in the presence of this HSP-47 protein.

Heating induces an increase in vascularisation and improves the fat tissue cellular metabolism. The Lymph and Arterial Venal Systems of the tissue is stimulated.

Sustained heating of the fat tissue at around 60 ºC, result of the oscillation of the water molecules it contains, produces the direct destruction of fat cells (lipolysis) and a direct decrease in volume of the treated area.

The RF effect can polarise in one or the other sense depending on the aim of treatment. The following variables are used:

1.- Electrical characteristics of tissue:

The greater the tissue’s resistance as the RF passes, the higher the temperature generated (fat has a resistance of 2180 Ohms, 10 times higher than that of the skin). The higher the water content in the fat and dermis, the higher its heating. We should always remember to drink 500 ml of water before starting the session.

2.- Type of handpiece: Bipolar, Unipolar and Unipolar Large

a) Bipolar: the electrical range is between two electrodes at a fixed distance. Both electrodes are applied to the treatment area. The spread of the electrical current is limited between both electrodes. It has a low penetration and is used to treat flaccidity in the dermis..

b) Unipolar: The Unipolar system emits power through one electrode with a sole contact point on the treated area. Heating at a greater depth, reaching 1.5 cm maximum.

c) Unipolar Large: New Unipolar system that reaches high temperatures at a depth of over 3 cm.

3.-Wave frequency, the lower the frequency, the higher the penetrability.

• BIPOLAR RADIOFREQUENCY: Thermacool®

The electric flow is produced between two electrodes, so that the total penetration in the skin is half the distance between the electrodes. Penetrability is low. It is indicated for the treatment of flaccidity on the dermal plane.

 

• UNIPOLAR RADIOFREQUENCY: AccentXL®

The Accent XL® system includes the option of working in bipolar or unipolar. It now also includes a third handpiece, Unipolar Large, which adds differentiating advantages.

a) Bipolar: the electrical range is between two electrodes at a fixed distance. Both electrodes are applied to the treatment area. And the prolongation of the electrical current is limited between both electrodes. It has a low penetration and is used to treat flaccidity in the dermis

b) Unipolar: The Unipolar system emits energy through one electrode with a sole contact point on the treated area. Heating takes place at a greater depth, reaching a maximum of 1.5 cm.

c) Unipolar Large: New Unipolar system that reaches high temperatures at a depth of over 3 cm.

 

• MULTIPOLAR RADIOFREQUENCY: 3D Radiofrequency: Endymed 3 Deep

- Distinguished by producing greater penetrability with less sudden power.

- Power in the form of radiofrequency is emitted through multiple electrodes in one sole handpiece monitored by microprocessors and thermometric control. It acts progressively and concentrated on the tissular plane, since the output and electromagnetic flow capture electrodes are in the handpiece. It self-adjusts to the levels of conductivity of the tissue treated.

- It emits a bipolar-multipolar radiofrequency, that reaches 3D skin heating at a previously selected depth. Besides its high precision, it volumetrically and progressively heats the treated tissue; the heat is maintained for a prolonged period of time which can extend to beyond the end of the treatment session. This sustained and concentrated heat deposit, produced gradually and with no peaks, explains higher patient tolerance to the administering of a much higher amount of power at the end of the session. The secret to the equivalence “more effective with less sudden power” lies in the design of its handpiece, with multiple electrodes under the control of a microprocessor, which self-adjusts the output to the impendence of tissue treated.

- The magnetic field that is produced by the three flows generated in the handpiece have the same polarity and are reciprocally repelled producing an increase in the delivery depth, which reaches 6 cm. It allows for treatment of the dermal tissue and the conjunctive fibrous septa under the dermis, which is the fat plane of the cellulite.

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