The human body is adept at storing fat. This means that no matter what kind of shape you're in, it's likely you could use a little help here and there getting rid of stubborn pockets of fat. This is especially true on the abdomen, the flanks, under the chin, even your upper arms.
At Stockton Dermatology, we have an awesome new treatment that can help with those areas. It's called truSculpt iD, a completely non-invasive body-contouring procedure that eliminates up to 24 percent of the fat in the treatment areas, all through the use of radiofrequency energy. About that RF energy… It also adds a secondary benefit to truSculpt treatments. It tightens the skin across the treatment areas! Our Phoenix patients are excited about truSculpt iD.
What is truSculpt iD?
truSculpt iD provides an alternative to invasive liposuction surgery. The mechanism used by truSculpt iD is radiofrequency energy, which is delivered painlessly down through the epidermis into the dermis and fat layers of the skin through a variety of different handpieces. This RF energy converts to heat and destroys fat cells, which are then removed by the body's lymphatic system. In addition to reducing about 24 percent of the fat in the treatment areas, truSculpt iD's RF energy also provides a secondary benefit of initiating new collagen production, which tightens the skin across the treatment areas.
You may have heard of truSculpt 3D, the first iteration of this technology. truSculpt iD improves upon that treatment with its comprehensive handpiece options. This system offers six hands-free handpieces, one hand-held handpiece, and one handpiece designed specifically for smaller areas. This provides great versatility in where we can help our Phoenix patients attack those stubborn pockets of fat.
What areas can I treat with truSculpt iD?
Thanks to the versatility of the various available handpieces, at Stockton we've been using truSculpt iD all over the body on areas large and small. Because the six handpieces can be used together, this can treat larger areas such as the abdomen and the flanks or the inner thighs. The single handheld handpiece can be used on more difficult areas to access. Plus, there is a single handpiece that is designed for smaller areas, such as the jowls.
Really, any place you have pockets of accumulated fat, truSculpt iD can reduce it.
How does truSculpt iD reduce fat?
The fat-destroying mechanism in truSculpt iD is radiofrequency energy. The truSculpt iD handpieces deliver low-frequency, high-conductivity RF energy deep into the skin. This energy can impact the entire fat layer down to muscle, while keeping the skin surface temperature comfortable. The RF energy converts to heat when it enters the dermis and fat layers of the skin, and this heat makes the fat cell walls burst. Over the next few weeks, the body flushes these dead cells from the body as it does with any waste products. truSculpt iD destroys up to 24 percent of the fat cells in the treatment area.
The FDA has approved truSculpt iD for body contouring.
How does truSculpt iD compare with CoolSculpting?
truSculpt iD is compared to CoolSculpting, the non-invasive body contouring procedure that freezes fat cells. Both deliver a similar degree of fat reduction.
CoolSculpting, which was introduced just over a decade ago, has been the most popular non-invasive body-contouring procedure. CoolSculpting uses controlled freezing to kill the fat cells, while truSculpt iD uses radiofrequency energy. The cooling sensation can be quite strong with CoolSculpting as the freezing temperatures are delivered into the target tissue. This lasts a few minutes before the area becomes numb. With truSculpt iD's RF energy, the feeling of the procedure is more like a hot stone massage, so patients feel it is more comfortable.
Also, truSculpt iD has more flexibility in the treatment area, thanks to the variety of handpieces, with sizes of 40cm or 16 cm. This allows flexibility in delivering the RF energy, compared to CoolSculpting, which uses larger panels that employ suction to draw the skin and underlying tissues up to the panel. Certain areas are difficult to treat with CoolSculpting because of this. CoolSculpting has added smaller applicators, but truSculpt iD has greater versatility.
Because truSculpt iD uses RF energy, the procedure also has a side benefit of skin tightening. That is because when heat is delivered into the dermis layer of the skin, the skin reacts as if it has been wounded by producing new amounts of collagen to "heal" the perceived wounds. This tightens and firms the skin.
Both procedures deliver from 20-24 percent reductions in fat in the treated areas. Both are also approved by the FDA.
Is truSculpt iD safe?
Radiofrequency energy has been used throughout science and medicine for decades and it has proven to have no adverse effects on the human body. Plus, the truSculpt iD system's RF heating is completely controlled and monitored by the proprietary software in the system. These are comfortable treatments with no side effects and no recovery. All you have to lose is 24 percent of your fat.
What can I expect during a truSculpt iD treatment at Stockton?
These are incredibly easy treatments at Stockton Dermatology. Most patients equate the feeling of the treatment as similar to a hot stone massage, so they don't feel the need for topical numbing prior to their session. Once we decide on which handpiece fits your treatment area, we either place the six treatment applicators across larger areas (such as your abdomen) or your aesthetician simply glides the truSculpt iD handpiece back and forth across the treatment area. You don't feel the radiofrequency energy, but when it enters the dermis and fat layer below, this energy converts to heat. The heat damages the walls of the fat cells, making the fat cells burst. The handpiece keeps your surface skin comfortable, but you can feel the heat beneath your skin's surface. The temperatures are slowly increased to 43-45 degrees Celsius for fat cell death.
How Long Does a truSculpt iD Session Take?
A truSculpt iD session takes just 15 minutes per treatment area. So, if you're having the abdomen treated, it's just 15 minutes. Both flanks? 30 minutes total.
After your session, your body's lymphatic system gets to work flushing the destroyed fat cells from your body. This process takes a few weeks, so you'll see your contour slimming and your results building. You'll also notice skin tightening as a result of the RF energy triggering new collagen production.
Is there recovery after a truSculpt session?
No. You can get right back to your normal activities.
What Our Patients Have to Say
"Best Dermatologist office in all of the Valley. Dr. Stockton's office has cared for three generations of my family for many years. Her staff is friendly, competent and listens to your needs. If you are searching for a great dermatologist office this is the one to choose!" - Barbie A.
"A wonderful friendly staff. Everyone seems very happy and enjoys working here. I saw John PA, was friendly, understanding and listen to my concerns. He explained things very well. Highly recommend this office for your dermatology needs." - Barbra M.
Click here to view more of our Patient Testimonials!
How long before I will see results from truSculpt iD?
Just as with CoolSculpting, with truSculpt iD your results aren't immediate. truSculpt iD's RF energy destroys the fat cells across the treatment areas, but it takes some time for the body to remove the cells. The RF energy creates some initial skin tightening, due to immediate collagen remodeling. But your real results will begin to show themselves in about six weeks, as fat cells are removed. Plus, the body will be building new collagen for the area. Your overall results will continue to improve for four months.
Does truSculpt provide permanent fat reduction?
This is permanent fat reduction, up to 24 percent in the treatment areas. Once the fat cells are destroyed by truSculpt iD's RF energy the body simply flushes them from the body as with other waste products. They are gone for good.
Can I use truSculpt iD as a weight-loss procedure?
At Stockton Dermatology, we want our patients to know truSculpt iD isn't meant to deliver widespread fat reduction, as in bariatric surgery. This is a body-contouring treatment, not a weight-loss treatment. Patients should be within 10-15 percent of their ideal weight to have this treatment. Removing about one quarter of the fat in those stubborn pockets provides excellent body contouring.
Schedule a Consultation
The truSculpt iD is a new radiofrequency device at Stockton Dermatology that is used for fat reduction. Contact our office today at 480.610.6366 to learn more!
