New Body Shaping Treatments of 2019 truSculpt® iD and Torc

Happy Spring everyone! I don’t know about you, but right around this time is when I start to think about warmer weather and summer clothing. It is also the season when everyone seems to start cracking down on their workouts and eating better. Luckily, we now offer two new body contouring devices that can help with that extra winter weight and improving body definition and muscle tone.

Let me start by introducing truSculpt® iD, which is a non-invasive, non-surgical body-sculpting treatment that uses radiofrequency technology to therapeutically heat fat cells until they are destroyed and eliminated naturally by the body. In just 15 minutes, the device uses real-time temperature control to gently heat up a targeted area of stubborn fat without damaging the epidermis, or the top layer of the skin. This treatment is ideal for patients who may have pockets of fat that may be too small or large to treat with CoolSculpting® and/or may have loose skin accompanied with it.

truSculpt® iD is unique because it operates with 6 hands-free applicators that are each 40 cm2 in size. This means we can safely treat more than one body area in one 15-minutes session, depending on the size and surface area. The treatment is not intended to be painful and is quite similar to a hot stone massage. As you get acclimated to the heat, the temperature will be slowly increased until a therapeutic, yet comfortable, temperature is reached. The result is deep, volumetric heating of the tissue to permanently get rid of stubborn pockets of fat and attain a more attractive shape.

This treatment is very versatile and can be used in many  areas such as the abdomen, flanks (muffin top), outer or inner thighs, and arms. truSculpt® iD has the truSculpt® 3D handpiece within its platform, which allows us to continue to treat patients with the truSculpt® 3D gliding technology.

With each truSculpt® iD treatment, 15-24% of fat reduction is achieved, which is why it may take multiple treatments for you to achieve a visible and desired result. At least 2 treatments are usually recommended, depending on the body area and the volume and/or type of fat present. Results are typically seen within 6-12 weeks. Post-procedure, the treatment area will be red and warm for less than an hour and the skin might be sensitive or tender. My favorite part about this treatment is that patients can return back to their normal, daily activities or exercise immediately after the treatment.

I have saved the best for last! In regards to body shaping and wellness, we took a step back to think about what we are missing at Advanced Dermatology. We have very reliable and effective technology for stubborn areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise… we have a variety of tissue tightening devices… what about our MUSCLES? Shouldn’t they get some love too?

Torc (soon to be called Flex) is an FDA-approved device designed specifically for muscle conditioning. The device delivers electrical currents that mimic the body’s own natural impulses to communicate to the muscles, resulting in strong muscle contractions. This allows for stimulation of blood flow and metabolism within muscles of a specific area. The result is increased definition and tone to areas like the abdomen or buttock. Basically, it is like going to the gym for a few hours with each treatment.

The feeling during a Torc treatment is quite strange, as your muscles are contracting involuntarily. As the treatment progresses, the intensity of these contractions will slowly increase within your comfort level. It is similar to that feeling when you are putting all of your energy into those last few moments of a strength or cardio workout and it takes your breath away for a second. After a treatment, you may feel sore the next day like you had a tough work out the day before. If you are like me, you’ll love that feeling.

The treatment plan for Torc is either 5 or 7 treatments, depending on your activity level, with each one spaced 48 hours apart. Regular maintenance treatments are preferred if you stopped going to the gym, you would lose the muscle strength and definition you worked so hard to achieve. Not only will you feel stronger after treatment, but it is likely to motivate you to stay on a healthy physical and nutritional program, which is equally as important to maintain results.

As with any body contouring procedure, you must have a cosmetic consultation with us to determine if either of these treatments are right for you. Advanced Dermatology took part in some of the first clinical trials with both of these devices. We have been enthusiastically working hard to create treatment protocols that are effective and manageable for our patients and we are excited to finally share them with you!