Until recently, those wishing to erase a double chin or
eliminate saddlebags had only one truly effective quick-fix option: surgical
liposuction. Now, however, streamlining problem areas requires nothing more
than a trip to the dermatologist. "We have so many options now. The most
invasive traditional liposuction has pretty much become obsolete," says
dermatologist Paul MD. And there are even more high-tech fat fixers on the
horizon. Here, the most cutting-edge ways to shape up.
HOT SHOTS: ATX-101
"It's simply an injection, so the ease of use is a
great thing," says New York dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD, of
forthcoming jawline sculptor ATX-101 (FDA approved). Using a synthetic version
of the same molecule, deoxycholic acid, that our digestive system uses to
process dietary lipids, ATX-101 shrinks the small pockets of fat that cause
double chins. In clinical trials, patients experienced significant loss in
submental fat as well as an increase in skin firmness following a series of up
to six injections spaced four weeks apart. "Not only are you destroying
the fat cells, you're also getting some tightening of the skin," says
Miami- and New York City–based dermatologist Fredric Brandt, MD. But while
Frank anticipates "a huge stir of applause," he cautions against
touting the procedure as a fix-all. In one clinical study, over 20 percent of
patients experienced moderate postshot pain, and, he says, "it causes
bruising and swelling" that can last two to five days after each treatment.
There's also a reason why ATX-101 is best limited to use above the chest.
"It's not something that I'd inject all over someone's stomach,"
Brandt says. "The more fat you're treating, the more of an inflammatory
response you're going to get. So when you're treating large areas of the body,
there's going to be a lot of swelling."
LIPO-202
Another injectable is being tested in clinical trials
specifically to tackle the stomach. Lipo-202's active ingredient, salmeterol
xinafoate, found in common asthma medications, whittles fat cells by targeting
and diminishing the triglycerides they store (the more triglycerides a cell
contains, the bigger it is). "Lipo-202 shrinks the size of the fat
cell—it's not destroying it, like with other modalities," says dermatologist
Jacqueline Fernando, MD. As a result, "There is no recovery. There is no
downtime." Better yet: Many patients report dropping a dress size.
"That, I think, was the biggest wow factor," Fernando says. A full
course of treatment involves a five-minute session of 20 tiny shots dispersed
evenly over the abdomen, performed once a week for eight weeks. And while
current trials address only belly issues, Fernando says, "I could see this
being used in other areas, like arms or the back," as well as under the
chin. But could the inches come back if we give in to a few too many doughnut
binges? "We don't have the answer yet," says Fernando, who adds that
new studies will look at the long-term effectiveness of the treatment.
LIQUID ASSETS: LATANOPROST AND BIMATOPROST
"A lot of the things that we figure out in any realm of
cosmetic surgery, particularly with fat, we learn by accident," says
Frank. Case in point: the latest innovative application for prostaglandin
analogs, the active ingredient in glaucoma eye drops that, thanks to a
lash-growth side effect, led to the creation of Latisse. Over the years,
ophthalmologists have observed diminishment in puffiness around the eyes of
some patients using glaucoma drops, leading researchers to look at
prostaglandin as a possible topical fat dissolver. How does it work? "This
is not completely understood," says Fusco, who explains that the drug
seems to decrease fat-cell volume. But this is definitely not a DIY trick to
try on your own eye bags: Potential side effects include darkening of skin and
unpredictable shrinkage. Says Fusco: "I think we're just at the very
beginning of something like this—but it is fascinating."
COLD PLAY: BODY SCULPTING
"Fat cells are more sensitive to cold than other cells
in the body," Grandt says of the simple mechanism behind the technology
Zeltiq, which cools adipose cells to the point at which approximately 30
percent quite literally freeze to death during a one- to two-hour session per
region. "You're able to selectively kill the cells," which, he
explains, die off and are naturally eliminated by the body over the following
few months.
After a recent launch of applicators sized to target the
biggies on everyone's hit list, including saddlebags and inner thighs, look out
for the launch of a small-scale head to treat tiny pockets—including double
chins. Says Manhattan-based dermatologist Arielle Kauvar, MD, "Body
Sculpting the chin would be another game changer."
SOUND EFFECTS
Just one 60-minute session with a high-intensity ultrasound
machine can erase a handful of pounds. During the procedure, molecular
vibrations heat underlying tissues, increasing skin's tautness as well as
killing adipose cells—which are then naturally processed by the body over the
next several months. And while the results are similar to those of Body
Sculpting (according to Frank, "You
can get rid of a centimeter to a centimeter and a half"), sound effects has
the advantage of speed. Freezing multiple areas such as the stomach and hips
could translate to six hours in the doctor's office, compared with only one
hour for Coolplas. Nevertheless, many patients still opt for the big chill, no
matter how slow or painful it is.
COOLPLAS
Already approved for bellies, arms, and thighs in Europe,
pulsed ultrasonic machine has now gotten the FDA go-ahead to treat abdominal
fat stateside. Grandt, who is among the first MDs to work with the device in
the U.S., says that unlike other ultrasound treatments, "it's not a
painful process" because the energy is pulsed. COOLPLAS delivers ultrasound to tissues in a way that
eradicates cells through mechanical manipulation rather than thermal heat.
Three sessions over six weeks can yield a 30 percent decrease in troublesome
patches—results comparable to the popular body sculpting. "There is no
recovery time," Kauvar says, "and results become visible as early as
two weeks after the first treatment."
(Inputs Courtesy: ELLE magazine.)
Comments
Post a Comment