Susie's take on the latest and greatest cosmetic procedures and products out there. All comments are her opinion, and may not be construed as medical advice.
At Silk Touch Medspa and Laser Center we are focusing on helping our clients lose the weight and keep it off. We have several programs to help our clients achieve their goals: 1. Take Shape For Life meal supplement program. Our clients have lost up to 60 lbs so far and are keeping it off. 2. NEW! We are offering the 1st Zerona slimming laser in Idaho. As seen on The Doctors TV show --this laser is helping our clients lose from 3-5 inches in 2 weeks without dieting! Some clients have lost up to 12 inches! This treatment is for those who just aren't ready for liposuction. 3. Smartlipo Laser-Assisted liposuction. Dr. Kerr uses his skills as a board-certified physician and artist to sculpt away unwanted fat. Having trouble getting rid of those extra love handles even after you've dieted and exercised? This treatment is for you. Starting from $2500 depending on the area and how much is treated. Visit Dr. Kerr's blog for more before and after pictures:
is proud to be the first to introduce the New Zerona slimming laser to Idaho for our 10th anniversary!
What a way to celebrate!
courtesy of juvanew medspa, TX
What if you could get rid of fat without diet, exercise or surgery?
Sounds too good to be true doesn't it?
Susie Kerr, Managing Partner of Silk Touch Medspa and wife of Dr. Brian Kerr first saw the Zerona on the popular TV show The Doctors in April 2009. "The laser looked like something from Star Trek, a big octopus looking thing, beaming light down on the belly of a woman who was struggling with 40 lbs. of weight gain. Beam me up Scotty! This thing just looked too good to be true." Susie was skeptical but a little excited...a bit like she felt when she first learned about laser-assisted liposuction or Smartlipo. She couldn't contain her excitement as she approached Dr. Kerr. "If this thing really works, it could really revolutionize fat removal."
It turned out that Dr. Ordon of The Doctors TV Show had the same sort of feelings when he was first introduced to the Zerona. "When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. But you cannot argue with results. Inches are inches, and the Zerona removes inches, more than four inches on the "test" case we did for The Doctors. I have to say, I didn't believe it at first either." --Dr.Ordon.
Here we are a couple of months later...and we are proud to be the first to introduce The Zerona to Idaho. Our Silk Touch clients will be the first to use this amazing technology. We owe a big thanks to Dr. Thom Barnes from Newport Beach in mentoring us in this latest technology. Dr. Barnes has been using the Zerona for over a year with tremendous results and patient satisfaction.
So here are some FAQ's on the Zerona
What is Zerona?
It's a non-surgical, non-invasive way to slim the body. There's no pain and no downtime with the treatment.
How does it Work?
The Zerona laser is a cold laser that helps the body rid itself of excess fat using the body's normal processes. The laser focuses cool light on areas of the body where fat has accumulated without any discomfort to the patient. The laser creates a tiny hole in the fat cell wall allowing the contents to spill out into the lymp where they are absorbed and the waste is excreted from the body naturally.
How much can you lose?
In double-blind, randomized, multi-site, placebo controlled clinical trials that tracked the circumferences of patient's waist, hips, and thighs, the average total loss was 3.64 inches up to a maximum of 9.5 inches, compared to a placebo group that lost only a half an inch.
Who is a good candidate?
A good candidate is one who has a BMI of 30 or below, similar to Smartlipo laser-assisted liposuction. If you have a BMI above 30 then you may be prescribed a program to help you achieve healthy weight goals before the procedure. Candidates must be motivated to maintain their result. The Zerona may be great at shrinking fat cells and helping the body eliminate fat, but long term success is determined by patient conformity to good habits of health. We design our programs to assist you in healthy living before, during and after treatment.
Are there any risks?
There are no known risks associated with this tratment and the treatments are painless.
Any other changes in the body?
The liver is one of the body's major detoxification pathways. A large study was conducted and no increase in toxin levels were found. Triglyceride levels and cholestorol levels were found to normalize (meaning improvement was made). Skin improvements were also noted. This laser has been FDA approved for wound healing.
How many treatments are needed?
Typically you will receive six 40-minute laser treatment over a period of two weeks. Mon-Wed-Fr or Tues-Thurs-Sat. Additionally, you will receive nutritional coaching and other take home instructions to reach optimal results. Programs vary depending on the patient's needs and goals. Many patients are so happy with their results they request additional sessions.
Does Zerona get rid of cellulite?
It reduces fat, but not cellulite. Cellulite may improve with deep tissue massage to break down fibrous tissue. We have seen the best results when treating areas with cellulite when using laser-assisted liposuction or Smartlipo.
Will the fat go somewhere else?
Fat that his removed by the laser is metabolized and removed by the body. There isn't any evidence that the fat is deposited elsewhere in the body.
Can the fat return?
Yes, sadly it can. Sorry...we all wish the answer was no. The Zerona laser doesn't remove fat cells from the body. When the fat leaves the cells, the cells remain intact but the cell collapses like a grape that has been squeezed. The same thing happens when you diet (controlling the calories you eat) or exercising (burning calories). If greater calories are consumed than are expended from either diet or exercise, the body will store the extra calories and the fat cells get plump again. Picture the nice fat juicy grape. Dr. Kerr's program is designed to help you maximize the effectiveness of your treatment by addressing your whole lifestyle and dietary and exercise choices.
Can I do more than one treatment?
This can be discussed with Dr. Kerr. Patients may return for more treatments, particularly if they want to focus on different areas or lose additional inches in areas already treated. There have been no associated risks or complications associated with multiple treatments.
How much does it cost?
At Silk Touch we offer a number of programs. The exact amount depends on the procedure being done, the desired goal, and the level of support that is required.
$2500 - $3000 for six 40-minute sessions.
Additional treatments may be added depending on client needs and desired outcome. ie. lymphatic massage, deep tissue massage and meal replacement programs.
Why do some people lose more inches than others?
There are variations from person to person. Factors determining inches lost are: function of the lymph and digestive system as well as possible metabolic abnormalities. Your doctor will work with your individual case to help achieve optimum performance within the parameters of our given physiological makeup. You will fill out a medical history and have a consultation before treatment.
Is this treatment covered by Insurance?
This procedure is cosmetic and therefore not covered by insurance. Financing is available. Visit CareCredit.com
How soon will I see results?
Usually results can be seen as early as one week after the completion of your treatment. Some individuals do see results almost immediately and some individuals may ot experience decrease of body circumference or weight loss at all.
Can I get better results if I diet and/or exercise?
Yes you can. Though in the randomized clinical trials, patients lost inches without increasing diet and exercise, we want to help you get the biggest bang for your buck. Reducing calorie intake forces the body to reduce fat cell size (remember the grape). Exercising forces the body to reduce fat cell size. We design a program that will optimize your ability to eliminate the fat from your body without going hungry or having to sign up for boot camp. Of course you don't have to exercise or eat right, but then your grape will remain plump. We will work with you to create a program that is just right for you.
How do I know I've lost inches?
We will take your measurements before treatment. It is important to have accurate measurements. These are taken at specific anatomical sites before the first treatment, after the final treatment and one week after the final treatment is completed. Before and After pictures will be taken for accurate pre and post data.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Give us a call to set up a consult. You will receive a pre-screening by a staff member and then have a short consultation with Dr. Kerr prior to treatment. 208 939-3110
Another great article. You can find it in Vogue April 2009. Silk Touch offers treatments using the Smartxide DOT Therapy and we also offer Affirm skin tightening treatments.
Easy Does It
In the past, laser resurfacing has been epically harsh or barely noticeable.
Catherine Piercy reports on the breakthrough that’s finally getting it right.
It’s a bright winter morning when I arrive at dermatologist Deborah Sarnoff, M.D.’s Park Avenue laser center for a sneak peek at the Next Big Thing in dermatology.My mind is racing with visions of the latest high-tech wizardry; 3-D laser light goggles, wrinkle-obliterating bodysuits, skin-searing wands.You know.
So imagine my surprise when Sarnoff swings open the door to a pristine white treatment room and reveals…an eggplant, perched in a reclining chair atop its own paper surgical gown.
“I know, I know, “she says with a laugh.“But you’ve got to see this.”
And then, like the Jetsons—esque hostess of some far-out futuristic culinary show, she aims a nearby laser head at that dark, ripe flesh, and fires, searing a square grid of tiny, tightly packed pink dots onto its surface (and filling the air with the scent of cooked eggplant).
What Sarnoff has just demonstrated is fractional carbon dioxide resurfacing, and it may be the biggest breakthrough in laser skin care in nearly a decade.The spot eradicating, line-smoothing results, swears Sarnoff, are good enough “to turn a prune-face” back into a taut, juicy plum, and they has the most conservative dermatologists feeling giddy with excitement.
THE BACKSTORY
If the new class of fractional carbon dioxide lasers sounds vaguely familiar, that’s because their name, like the technology behind them, merges the best of two well-established lasers—the mighty CO2 and its gentler cousin, fractionalized therapy—into a single power tool.
Searing through the uppermost layers of the skin in a single uniform sheet—delivering in effect, a second-degree burn to the face—the original CO2 lasers, with their 10,600-nanometer beams, seemed a godsend when they debuted in the early nineties. Dermatologists hailed their ability to diminish severe sun damage and dramatically tighten skin in just one treatment, but they now acknowledge that their reputation is a “blowtorches” was no coincidence.“Do you have three weeks to hide from your friends, family, co-workers?” asks David Goldberg, M.D., a clinical professor of dermatology at New York’s Mount Sinai School of Medicine, of the CO2’s downtime, which included two weeks of raw oozing, “weeping” skin and up to six months of lingering redness.
The kinder fractional procedures of recent years—lasers like Fraxel and Affirm—delivered their weaker 1,550 nm of erbium energy in a series of micropixels (rather than a single beam), projected on the skin as a checkerboard grid. By poking selective holes in the skin’s surface, they left what Sarnoff calls “a tiny island of healthy skin behind” for every dot they vaporized.The result:pinkish skin that healed in up to two days and a noticeable improvement in fine lines and sun spots (after three to five $1500 treatments). The concentration of Fraxel was genius, that it redefined the way doctors ______about deliver____ laser light, “says Manhattan dermatologist Alexiades, M.D. But for women with deeper wrinkles, severe sun damage, and limited reserves of time and patience, “the results were mediocre at best.”
Combine the principles of each—a friendlier, fractionalized delivery system with all the strength, depth, and reach of the original CO2—and you’ve got the new fractional CO2.While the chief function of any laser is to temporarily wound the skin, triggering the production of fresh new collagen fibers as it vaporizes old, damaged tissue, none of these new hired guns which go by the brand names of Fractioanl Re:pair (from Reliant Technologies, UltraPulse ActiveFX (Lumenis) and SmartXide DOT Therapy (Deka)—inflict anything close to the harrowing collateral damage of their prehistoric predecessors.“In most cases, we’re talking about four to seven days of what looks like a very bad sunburn,” says Goldberg. “And don’t forget, it’s usually a one-shot deal.”
The NEW FRONTIER
The innovations don’t stop there.Like the keypad on your gym’s elliptical machine, the fractional CO2 allows derms to tailor the intensity of its pitch pattern—the distance between each little dot as well as its depth—with the push of a button.Sarnoff might set the device “closer together for a more aggressive treatment around the mouth or crow’s fee,” farther part “on sensitive areas like the jawline.”
When I drop by dermatologist Frederric Brandt, M.D.’s Manhattan office, he shows me the Lumenis ActiveFX”s newly customized handpiece.As I peer at its lens, he flips through an assortment of tiny dancing geometric CO2 light patterns—circles, parallelograms, hexagons, and triangles—that, when projected onto the skin, access “the hard-to reach angles around the nose or mouth.”Putting an end to a “40-year old face floating above a 50-year-old chest,” the new CO2s also treat “ the neck, forearms, and tops of the hands”—fragile areas that were prone to scarring and discoloration under the reign of the old CO2.
To combat the first signs of aging, dermatologists like Manhattan’s Patricia Wexler, M.D., are sticking with gentler resurfacers, like the original Fraxel (now called Fraxel Re:store).However, there are instances where Wexler feels the potency of fractional carbon dioxide is appropriate for younger skin—for example, to treat acne scars in patients as young as their 20s.
Roy Geronemus, M.D., a dermatologist in New York, is using his Fraxel Re:pair to diminish telltale plastic-surgery scars around the face and breasts, and is even using it around some patients’ eyes as a substitute for surgery.One look at the before and after pictures he recently presented at the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery conference in Orlando, and I can see why:Droopy corners, hooded eyelids, and stubborn crow’s feet virtually disappear after a single blast.At approximately $2,000 a session, “it’s a fraction of what you’d pay for an eye-lift,” he says. (A full face may cost upwards of $4,000.)
New York plastic surgeon Sam S. Rizk, M.D. sends patients for fractional CO2 as a skin-tightening “complement” to the muscle-lifting effects of his endoscopic face- and neck-lifts.
In some cases—lip and forehead lines, cracks at the corner of the mouth—Wexler is using fractional CO2 in place of fillers like Cosmoderm.As she points out, “you don’t have to come back every eight weeks to have it touched up.”The new CO2’s effects last, by most estimates, between five and eight years.
WHAT”S NEXT
Like ay emerging technology, the first generation of fractional CO2s are works in progress.Lasers, says Goldberg, “are like laptops—your new model is constantly being updated.”If the old CO2 was the truck-size monitor on your first Macintosh, the fractional CO2 is your new MacBook Air: fabulous but soon to be tweaked in exciting new ways.
Though they remain unsuitable for darker skins, which may be prone to heat-related scarring, the new CO2s have slightly more range than their predecessors, extending from fair to light-olive and, in some cases, light Hispanic and Asian skin tones.As for hypopigmentation (small, permanently colorless patches of skin that appeared in patients up to a year after the old CO2 procedures were performed), “fractional technology seems to have virtually eliminated the risk,” says Alexiades, who is currently conducting the FDA trials for Deka’s DOT Therapy device.“But it’s still early, and there may be limits to how close together each little dot can be placed without causing a similar effect.”
Not unlike the feeling one might experience while looking at Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, Georges Seurat’s pointillist painting from 1884, with its tiny pixilated dots and early Neo-Impressionist overtones, the significance of the new CO2 seems greater than the sum of its own parts. “Ten years ago, I couldn’t have guessed that we’d be delivering carbon-dioxide laser light without the downtime or the risks,” says Goldberg.“Just imagine what’s next.”
I spotted this article and wanted to share it with our clients. Our Affirm laser helps with cellulite, stimulating collagen production within the skin. Fat transfer can also be done by Dr. Kerr.
A Possible Cure for Unsightly Cellulite?
February 9, 2009
Findings from a new study published in the November/December 2008 issue of Aesthetic Surgery Journal suggest that a combination treatment using laser energy and fat transplantation shows promise in significantly improving cellulite. Cellulite is a common condition that gives the appearance of lumpiness and dimpling across the skin and is most prevalent in the thigh, hip, and buttock areas. Currently some treatments may provide temporary improvement in the dimpled appearance of cellulite, but to date there is no proven, permanent “cure” for cellulite. “Cellulite is caused by bands of fibrous tissue that connect the muscle to the skin,” says Alan Gold, MD, President of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). “If these bands are tight and the fat between the muscle and the skin bulges out between them, there will be dimpling over each of those bands. There is nothing otherwise special or unique about the fat itself in those areas.” Almost all women (and some men) have cellulite, stemming from genetic predisposition, hormonal changes and weight gain.
The treatment presented in the ASJ study first uses 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser energy conducted underneath the skin to stimulate collagen formation, skin tightening and, on a deeper level, to reduce fatty tissue. Laser treatment is followed by injections of the patient’s own fat to fill in the depressed areas. Along with visible improvement, there are very few adverse effects, most of which are mild and temporary.
“The search for the cause of cellulite and effective treatments is ongoing, however, the combination of a minimally-invasive pulsed laser treatment and autologous fat transplantation represents a viable option for women who have severe cases of cellulite,” says Robert Gotkin, MD, a plastic surgeon in New York, NY and one of the authors of the study. “All treatments have limitations and since cellulite is a chronic condition, the patient must understand that there are no miracle procedures and multiple treatments may be necessary.”
The doctors treated 52 women between the ages of 18-47 with severe cases of cellulite who had not undergone previous surgical treatments such as lipoplasty or subcision (cutting scar tissue just below the surface of the skin). After the laser tightening and fat injections, patients received a massage to evenly distribute the fat and returned the next day for physiotherapeutic postoperative treatments. The follow-up period ranged from a year to almost 3 years, and nearly 85% of the patients rated their results as “good” or “excellent”.
Various methods of treating cellulite have been proposed including:
Liposuction
Fat Injections
Lower Body Lift
Endermologie
Injection lipolysis
Herbal and dietary supplements
Creams and lotions
While some of these procedures, such as fat injections and lower body lift, have been shown to be beneficial in appropriately selected patients, others such as injection lipolysis and lotions do not have any scientific data supporting their efficacy. Liposuction, while highly effective in reducing fat deposits and improving contour, sometimes makes cellulite appear worse.
Nd:YAG laser lipolysis and autologous fat transplantation are proven procedures for various aesthetic conditions, and, the use of these same modalities for cellulite treatment, may offer both a safe and effective new alternative. “Although there is currently no ‘cure’ for cellulite, this study provides hope for people who have the most severe cases,” says Foad Nahai, MD, Editor in Chief of ASJ.
About ASJ Aesthetic Surgery Journal, owned by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and published by Elsevier Science, is a peer-reviewed international journal focusing on clinical and scientific developments in cosmetic surgery and cosmetic medicine. The Journal has subscribers in more than 80 countries. Besides its affiliation with ASAPS, the leading organization of board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize in aesthetic surgery, ASJ is also the official English-language journal of plastic surgery societies in Brazil, Israel, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Costa Rica, Colombia, India and The Netherlands, and it is the official journal of the Rhinoplasty Society. ASJ’s Editorial Board includes plastic surgeons and Interspecialty Editors representing anesthesiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology and clinical psychology. For information on the Journal, as well as subscriber and pay-per-view access to the Journal’s full text and graphics, go to www.aestheticsurgeryjournal.com.
About ASAPS The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the leading organization of board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in cosmetic plastic surgery, includes Active-Member plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, as well as International Active Members who hold equivalent credentials in their own countries. For information, visit www.surgery.org.
I have so many ladies ask about detox diets and whether they are safe or not....I just had to add this quote that I found in a magazine recently.
"Not surprisingly, doctors advise against all-liquid diets because they provide so few calories and nutrients, you run the risk of everything from fainting spells to dehydration. As for claims that such lans flush out your system? 'Ridiculous,' says weight-loss doctor Jana Klauer, M.D. 'Our liver and kidneys take care of that just fine." Moreover, by cutting protein from your diet you lose muscle mass, which may lead to short-term weight loss but also ends up slowing your metabolism. Your best bet if you simply must have quick results; a detox plan that includes some real foods, like fruits, veggies and whole grains. "--People magazine March 09
I have researched plenty of weight loss programs and at Silk Touch we recommend the Take Shape For Life program. You can lose weight quickly with meal replacements but get all the vitamins and nutrients you need without risking loss of muscle tone. Dr. Kerr and I do not recommend detox diets of any kind. The body needs fuel to work properly.
Women in the Workforce Link Cosmetic Surgery to Success
February 11, 2009
Faced with news of increasing layoffs, straining economic times, and a belief that hiring is based on looks, millions of American women are looking at cosmetic medical procedures to give them a competitive edge in the workplace. In a new telephone survey* compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) of 756 women between the ages of 18 and 64, many reveal cosmetic plastic surgery procedures now appear to be an important rung on the success ladder.
13 percent (more than 1 out of 10 of the 115-million working-age women) say they would consider having a cosmetic medical procedure specifically to make them more confident and more competitive in the job market.
An astounding 3 percent (nearly 3.5-million working women) say they’ve already had a cosmetic procedure to increase their perceived value in the workplace.
73 percent (almost three out of four or, 84-million working women) believe, particularly in these challenging economic times, appearance and youthful looks play a part in getting hired, getting a promotion, or getting new clients.
80 percent (four out of five or 92-million working women) think having cosmetic medical procedures can boost a person’s confidence.
Insurance Broker Janice Axelrod, a baby-boomer, recently had a chemical peel and fat transfers from her abdomen to her face. “Time has given me the professional knowledge. But time can take away the youthful sparkle of my appearance if I let it. When you look good, you feel confident. That gives me a competitive edge and something my clients have come to expect from me,” says Axelrod.
ASPS Member Surgeon Loren Schechter, MD performed Axelrod’s cosmetic procedures at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. He says “Not only do the women believe youthful looks help in the workplace…they’re acting on that belief.”
John Canady, MD, president of ASPS, says, “Consumers need to remember that while cosmetic procedures might help them in the job market, they’re still medical procedures.” Canady says women still need to proceed with caution. “Patient safety is ASPS’ number one concern. Women need to do their homework. Go to the ASPS website at www.plasticsurgery.org to find an ASPS Member Surgeon in your area.”
*Survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation. Results have a +_3% error range.
Is there an answer for obesity out there?
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