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Non-surgical skin tightening treatments are often misunderstood. Here, we dispel the top myths and set the record straight.
Mar 29, 2019
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For those with darker skin tones, your anxiousness surrounding laser and other medical aesthetic treatments feels well justified. It wasn’t always the case that medical aesthetics companies and clinics began developing technologies that were safe for those with a little more melanin in their skin. Fortunately, in recent years, the industry has introduced new advanced technologies that offer safer alternatives to the old standards, particularly for patients with darker complexions. That means it’s time to leave those old myths behind!
Here, we set the record straight on four of the top medical aesthetics myths we hear that most often dissuade those with darker skin from seeking out treatments or consultations altogether.
Lasers have been used in medicine and medical aesthetics for decades, but their application for hair removal only took hold in the 1990s. At that time, lasers were typically very slow and painful, and they only worked on a specific combination of dark hair and fair, even-toned skin. Today, there are four general types of laser hair removal devices: ruby, alexandrite, Nd:YAG, and diode lasers. While a more complete summary of hair removal for patients with dark skin can be accessed here, diode laser hair removal treatments are generally seen as the safest and most effective modality for treating a wider range of skin types.
At present, diode laser is considered the gold standard in laser hair removal. In fact, in a 2015 comparative study of Nd:YAG and diode lasers, diode laser technology was found to offer the best results for patients with darker skin and hair with a 92% rate of hair reduction after eight sessions. This is because diode lasers use longer wavelengths, enabling them to penetrate deeper into the skin. This allows for melanin in the hair follicles to absorb more of this energy than the melanin in the skin absorbs, zapping and destroying targeted hair follicles but keeping healthy skin intact. In all, diode laser hair removal treatments offer a safe and effective hair removal treatment option for those with darker or even tanned skin.
A common misconception, not all skin resurfacing treatments are unsafe for darker skin. Some skin resurfacing laser treatments do pose a higher risk of discoloration and scarring in African-American, Hispanic, and Asian skin types. However, recent advances in technology now offer safer alternatives for darker-skinned patients. While erbium lasers may be a passable option that lower your risk of experiencing hypopigmentation or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) compared to more traditional laser treatments, radio frequency-based treatments really offer the safest option for most patients.
One such skin resurfacing technology safe for darker skin tones is NanoFractional radio frequency (RF) treatments. These treatments begin by utilizing tiny pins to gently penetrate the skin’s surface, creating tiny micro-dermal wounds and delivering targeted heat energy to kickstart the body’s natural healing cycle. This helps to boost collagen and elastin production while encouraging increased skin cell turnover to repair skin damage and improve the appearance of scarring, stretch marks, rosacea symptoms, enlarged pores, deep-set wrinkles, and more for smoother, healthier-looking skin. While some patients may opt for more invasive treatments for quicker results, NanoFractional RF™ treatments may be the better place to start for their safer results, reasonable price tag, and minimal time commitment.
There are a lot of myths circling around skin tightening treatments. All skin is susceptible to aging but for some, their darker skin tones may show more advanced skin damage as a result of cumulative sun exposure. While it’s long been considered a myth now, it was previously believed that those with darker skin tones didn’t require sunscreen as the higher concentrations of melanin in their skin were considered to offer protection similar to SPF. Of course, popular opinion has changed on this topic, leaving many with darker skin tones wondering what might be done to smoothen and firm loose skin.
Skin tightening treatments utilizing a synergistic combination of Multi-Polar RF and Pulsed Electro Magnetic Fields (PEMF) technologies may be the perfect solution for these patients. Safe for all skin tones, Multi-Polar RF delivers heat deep below the skin’s surface, stimulating fibroblasts for improved collagen production without affecting melanin in the skin. As RF works to boost collagen, PEMF promotes the formation of new blood vessels and induces fibroblast proliferation. In simpler terms, the two technologies work to synergistically improve collagen and elastin levels in the skin for a smoother, firmer appearance with a significantly reduced risk of PIH. In fact, radio frequency has been proven to be safe for all skin types.
There are certainly fewer medical aesthetics professionals who specifically specialize in treating patients with darker skin, but the market is just starting to evolve. As patients learn more about their possibilities and demand grows, the number of providers specializing in aesthetics treatments for patients with darker skin will certainly grow. At present, if you’re unable to find a provider who specializes in the treatment of darker skin, it’s best to opt for a certified treatment provider who has a long track record of delivering results and can substantiate their outcomes with high-quality before-and-after images. If this before-and-after gallery includes past patients who also had darker skin, all the better. One other factor that might go into finding a qualified treatment provider is a track record of positive reviews. Check online review sites to get a feel for how a particular aesthetics clinic treats a variety of patients from different ethnic backgrounds and with varying skin types to get a better idea of what you may expect to see in your own results. Finally, ensure you’re booking your consultation at a clinic that has the right treatment technology for your skin type.
In fact, we can make the search a little easier. To find a knowledgeable and certified treatment provider near you who uses the most advanced treatment technologies, simply start by using the search field below.
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REGULATORY CLEARANCES [ More ]
Venus Bliss™ is cleared by the FDA and licensed by Health Canada for non-invasive lipolysis of the abdomen and flanks in individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or less, with the diode laser applicators. The (MP)2 applicator is cleared by the FDA for temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite, and licensed by Health Canada for temporary increase of skin tightening, temporary circumferential reduction, and temporary cellulite reduction. Venus Bliss™ has CE Mark as a non-invasive medical aesthetic device enabling a comprehensive approach leading to body contouring, addressing fat reduction, skin tightening, circumference reduction, and cellulite reduction.
Venus Versa™ is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark as a multi-application device intended to be used in aesthetic and cosmetic procedures. The SR515 and SR580 applicators are cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and have CE Mark for the treatment of benign pigmented epidermal and cutaneous lesions and treatment of benign cutaneous vascular lesions. The HR650/HR650XL and HR690/HR690XL applicators are cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and have CE Mark for the removal of unwanted hair and to effect stable long-term or permanent hair reduction for Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The AC Dual applicator is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark for the treatment of acne vulgaris. The DiamondPolar™ and OctiPolar™ applicators on the Venus Versa™ system are cleared by the FDA for non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides on females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The DiamondPolar™ applicator is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides on females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The OctiPolar™ applicator on the Venus Versa™ system is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for temporary body contouring via skin tightening, circumferential reduction, and cellulite reduction. The NanoFractional RF™ (Viva) applicator is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark for dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin.
NeoGraft® is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark with indication for use in suction-assisted follicular extraction and re-implantation. It is an auto-graft system and can be used on both male and female patients.
ARTAS iX™ is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark with indication for use for harvesting hair follicles from the scalp in men diagnosed with androgenic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) who have black or brown straight hair. ARTAS iX™ is intended to assist physicians in identifying and extracting hair follicular units from the scalp during hair transplantation; creating recipient sites; and implanting harvested hair follicles.
Venus Legacy™ is cleared by the FDA for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides in females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV with the OctiPolar™ and DiamondPolar™ applicators, and temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite with the 4D Body (LB2) and 4D Face (LF2) applicators. It is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for the temporary increase of skin tightening, temporary circumferential reduction, temporary cellulite reduction, and temporary wrinkle reduction.
Venus Velocity™ is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for hair removal, permanent hair reduction (defined as the long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9 and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regimen), and the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae for all Fitzpatrick skin types.
Venus Fiore™ received regulatory approval in Israel for aesthetic and functional treatment of the vagina, labia and mons pubis. Venus Fiore™ is available for sale in India, Hong Kong, and other selected Asian countries.
Venus Viva™ is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark for dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin. The DiamondPolar™ applicator is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for the treatment of moderate to severe wrinkles and rhytides in Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV.
Venus Freeze Plus™ is cleared by the FDA for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides in females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. It is licensed by Health Canada for temporary skin tightening, and temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite on the abdomen and flanks, using the DiamondPolar™ and OctiPolar™ applicators. The DiamondPolar™ applicator on Venus Freeze Plus™ has CE Mark for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides, and the increase of skin tightening, temporary circumferential reduction, and cellulite reduction with the OctiPolar™ applicator.
Venus Heal™ is licensed by Health Canada and can be used for the treatment of both acute and chronic disorders of the musculoskeletal system, such as muscle spasms, back pain, and soft tissue injuries, and results in effects such as pain relief, myorelaxation, increase of local blood circulation, and edema reduction. In the U.S., Venus Heal™ is cleared by the FDA for the relief of minor muscle aches and pain, relief of muscle spasm, and temporary improvement of local blood circulation. These indications enable the treatment of certain soft tissue injuries and conditions.
Venus Glow™ is cleared by the FDA as a Class I motorized dermabrasion device. It provides a dermal rejuvenation treatment that works to open up and deep-clean pores. Venus Concept is the exclusive distributor for Venus Glow™.
Venus Epileve™ is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for hair removal, permanent hair reduction (defined as the long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9 and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regimen), and the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae for all Fitzpatrick skin types. Venus Epileve™ is also CE-Marked for hirsutism.
Venus Freeze™ is cleared by the FDA for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides in females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. It is licensed by Health Canada for temporary skin tightening, and temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite on the abdomen and flanks, using the DiamondPolar™ and OctiPolar™ applicators. The DiamondPolar™ applicator on Venus Freeze™ has CE Mark for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides, and the increase of skin tightening, temporary circumferential reduction, and cellulite reduction with the OctiPolar™ applicator.
Venus Swan™ is cleared by the FDA for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides, and licensed by Health Canada for the non-invasive treatment of cellulite reduction, skin tightening, and temporary reduction in the appearance of stretch marks.
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