Dr. Ruth Hillelson

Thermage is a radiofrequency device that uses Comfort Pulse Technology to tighten the skin.

Yes, they can. The fractionating treatments and the non-ablative Clear + Brilliant can be used on other parts of the body.

They will lighten mild spots, but not get rid of them.

Eager to offer her clients the latest in effective technological advancements, Dr. Hillelson is happy to provide Coolsculpting by Zeltiq, which uses cryolipolysis, a noninvasive procedure that freezes fat cells to aid the body in breaking them down over time. The final result is a reduction in fat by 20 to 40 percent without damage to other tissues. During the procedure, patients feel an intense cold sensation, but the experience is not painful. 'the treatment is gentle enough that patients can resume daily activities immediately, Dr. Hillelson says. 'and the results start to show in as little as three weeks.

It's a way to freeze localized fat accumulation. It's a device, a non- laser, that has a hand piece with suction. It pulls the affected area and has chill plates that freeze fat cells in the area of concern. Zeltique uses CoolSculpting technology. The membranes are broken down and the contents of the fat cells are metabolized and excreted by the body.

I've not used it, yet, but I think is a very good product. Initially it got a bad name because patients had little lumps and bumps from it. But, when reconstituted a week ahead, and used in the lower face, I think it works very nicely. It lasts longer, but patients need three to four injections to get to that longer-lasting phase, which is costly.

The longevity depends on where you inject it. JUVEDERM usually lasts about 9 months, but you have to boost it at four to six months. .

The average is between two and three ccs a visit, per patient; but it's variable, it depends on what they need.

With CoolSclupting, there is a gradual removal of fat. If a patient has a large amount of fat to be removed or wants to get it removed immediately, then the patient should consider liposuction. The problem with liposuction in the tummy area is that the rapid removal of fat can result in skin laxity; so the patient would also most likely need atummy tuck. CoolSculpting is only FDA approved to be used on the tummy, flanks, bra rolls and saddlebag area. It is not FDA approved for anything below the groin.

There is a good pull for the first couple of minutes until the chilling takes effect and numbs it.

It's going to depend on the preference of the person doing it. I like microdermabrasion better than a more aggressive peel because I can pay attention to specific areas. I usually follow it with light peel.

There is no downtime and no special garments that need to be worn after treatment. The patients just get up and go afterwards. The average patient needs 2-3 treatment sessions per site depending on how much fat needs to come out.

When it initially came out, it was uncomfortable. Now, with the new system that it uses, we get good results with minimal discomfort.

There are different types of Fraxel lasers. Their resurfacing laser, the re:pair is an ablative laser. The re:store and re:fine are nonablative. The newest one, the 1927, treats brown spots.

The ProFractional laser is a fractionating laser made by a different company--Sciton. It's less painful than the Fraxel laser and offers less downtime.

Microdermabrasion is best used by a patient who has a thick, outer layer skin that is dull looking. It uses crystals to mechanically abrade, or remove, the very top layers of epidermis.

It depends on the type of Rosacea (or general redness of the skin). If its caused by small blood vessels, than laser treatment is best. If it's facial flushing, it can also be treated with a laser or medically. Acne is different. Redness from acne is best treated by a dermatologist with a combination of antibiotics and topicals.

Sclerotherapy, a treatment where a solution is injected into the veins. The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessels, causing them to collapse and fade from view.

The Clear + Brilliant is a diode laser that provides non-ablative resurfacing. It's different because in a series of treatments, it minimizes discolorations and fine lines, with no downtime. It's a much milder laser. An important aspect of Clear + Brilliant is to pair it with Thermage because you can get skin resurfacing and tightening at the same time, with no downtime. The pairing of the two is really cool.

A non-fractionating laser removes all the surface of cells, whereas a fractionating laser is going to make separate channels in the skin at different concentrations within a designated area. A CO2 laser is a non-fractionating laser. There is a two- to three-day downtime of redness and swelling with a fractionating laser; a 10-day to two-week downtime with a non-fractionating laser.

A non-ablative laser (Clear + Brilliant) device delivers less energy than an ablative (fractionating, Fraxel) one. It removes the top layers of the skin in more treatments, but with less downtime. A non-ablative laser opens the channels of the skin, allowing the skin to be more amenable to different skincare treatments and topicals, like vitamin C, or, we believe, possibly even stem cells.

There are two types of filler: Hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Perlane, Juvéderm, and Restylane; and non-hyaluronic acid fillers, which are the rest. Hyaluronic acid fillers are more commonly used. Juvéderm and Perlane are the same, they are just made by different companies. They are more concentrated than the others.

There is no downtime, and no special garments need to be worn after treatment.

Three to four months.

It's a good treatment for a younger patient who wants to maintain their skin, but wants to keep their skin looking good; or for an older patient who has minimum issues and was to refresh her skin. It's for someone who doesn't need a more aggressive treatment. It's also used for someone who doesn't want to do their whole face, they've use the fractionating laser before, but want to touch up their lip lines.

A laser. I prefer the BBL, or Broadband Light. It ruptures the melanin. You need a few treatment sessions to remove brown spots, but there is no downtime with that.

This is a stubborn treatment area. The best laser for upper lip is the Sciton, in my opinion. The results have been consistently good. Also, this area can be treated exclusively while other lasers require full face resurfacing. Obviously, if sunning and smoking are ongoing, any type of treatment will be wasted.

There is a difference between home microdermabrasions as well as medical and spa microdermabrasions. Home microdermabrasions are much weaker. The suction power and abrasions capabilities are reduced. This means it would take multiple treatments to even begin to approach the results that would be attained from a medical office. Furthermore, spa microdermabrasion units are weaker than medical units. The FDA prohibits medical quality equipment from being utilized without medical oversight. It is interesting to keep this in mind, as prices between medical and spa versions might be quite similar. Dollar for dollar, it is far better to have the procedure performed in a medical practice.

The Sciton Forever Young BBLTM laser is proven to change the gene structure of the skin at the molecular level, as well as improve the appearance of acne, sunspots, freckles and vascular conditions. We are one of the only practices in our area to have the laser, which gives us the ability to offer our patients a new, safe and effective treatment for youthful-looking skin now and forever.