New in My Practice: Devices

TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED RADIOFREQUENCY DEVICE FOR SKIN TIGHTENING AND MORE

In each edition, Modern Aesthetics^® asks top aesthetic physicians about the newest devices in their practices. This month, JASON N. POZNER, MD, FACS talks about the THERMIRF RF SYSTEM FROM THERMIAESTHETICS. Dr. Pozner, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, is the founder of the Sanctuary Plastic Surgery and co-owner of Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center in Boca Raton, FL. He is also currently adjunct clinical faculty at Cleveland Clinic Florida Department of Plastic Surgery.

WHAT IS THE THERMIRF? HOW DOES IT WORK?

The ThermiRF system is FDA approved for dermatological and general surgical applications in soft tissue and nerves. According to the company, the ThermiRF uses temperature as a clinical endpoint, enabling plastic surgeons and aesthetic physicians to precisely heat soft tissue and nerves to achieve the desired aesthetic outcomes. With ThermiRF, energy output is thermistor regulated so that during treatment, the physician may regulate maximum target tissue temperatures and duplicate peer-validated parameters and clinical end points.

HOW ARE YOU USING THE DEVICE IN YOUR PRACTICE?

“It's a radiofrequency device with a number of uses,” explains Dr. Pozner, who has been using the device in his practice for about a year. “You can use it internally like a lipo device with a small amount of tumescent anesthesia and use it to tighten necks, arms, abdomens. legs, etc.”

It can also be used for nerve ablation in place of nuerotoxins for the glabella, notes Dr. Pozner. And, he says, there is a small attachment that allows for non-surgical tightening of small areas, like eyelids.

HOW ARE PATIENTS RESPONDING TO TREATMENT WITH THIS DEVICE? HOW HAS YOUR PRACTICE BENEFITED?

Dr. Pozner says he's primarily been using the ThermiRF device to treat neck and arms and the results have been “great.” Patients are seeing “great non-surgical tightening— probably better than anything else at this point,” he adds.

Dr. Pozner says when treating patients it's best to go slow, but that the procedure is very quck. “It's all about following the instruments,” he explains.

In terms of pros and cons of the device, Dr. Pozner says it's an easy procedure with no bruising and is very effective. A con is that it uses a small cannula, which is not ideal for large areas. However, he says, the company is working on this.

The ThermiRF is “another non-surgical tool that fits between Ulthera and facelifts in my practice,” says Dr. Pozner.