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Published on November 27, 2007

How is it different from liposuction? 

SmartLipo, otherwise known as the fat-loss laser or laser lipolysis, is the latest non-surgical treatment for removal of fat deposits. Traditional liposuction is a surgical procedure where fat is sucked out of the body through a cannula metal tube. SmartLipo, on the other hand, is a minimally invasive procedure. A fibre-optic laser is inserted into the skin through a small cannula and low-level laser selectively breaks up fat cells. Instead of sucking them out, the easy to drain broken fat cells are absorbed naturally by the body, and eliminated through the lymph system. The procedure will improve the body's shape and also improve cellulite to a certain degree.

In addition, the laser energy has the benefit of stimulating collagen production, which consequently tightens the skin and has an overall smoothing effect. The recovery time from SmartLipo is minimal, as there are no stitches or drainage tubes attached to the body. Most patients can resume normal activity immediately after the procedure, while liposuction could involve weeks of downtime.

I'm pregnant, and wonder if there is a way to prevent stretch marks. What sort of skincare routine do you recommend for pregnant women?

Gently washing the skin including the body folds (under the breasts and the belly) with mild products and moisturising all areas of the skin, including the belly may be helpful. However, laser treatment and a carbon-dioxide injection will help to get rid of stretch marks after delivery.

What are the latest treatments at hand to deal with adult acne?

I'm already on the pill.

There are a few new treatments around that can help with adult acne. Dermatologists will consider a host of factors before deciding on what treatment, if any, to recommend. Besides topical acne cream and oral antibiotics, light therapy and lasers are other options. Blue light therapy and Intense Pulsed Light treatment work by killing the bacteria under the skin, without damaging the surface. With the full course of treatments, most patients find their skin and acne improve considerably. Severe acne might need more advanced treatment such as laser therapy. Non-ablative lasers, such as a pulsed-dye laser, help reduce inflammation and redness that surrounds acne lesions, while deeper laser treatments can remove blackheads efficiently. For quick results, your dermatologist can combine laser therapy with iontrophoresis or phonophoresis to force the drug deeper into the skin.

I'm not sure which contraceptive pill you're on, but just a tiny change in the balance of hormones can have a huge impact on your skin. Some forms of the pill have a better effect on acne, such as Yasmin and Diane.

If you have inflamed acne, your doctor can prescribe Roaccutane for you. Roaccutane is a formulation of Vitamin A and is very successful in treating stubborn acne. It comes in tablet form and is taken orally. However, Roaccutane has significant side effects, for example, it can cause severe birth defects if taken by pregnant women and must be taken under a physician's care only.

In short, you need to have your acne treated by a dermatologist. The dermatologist can assess the severity of your problem by evaluating the type of lesions and then offer a personalised treatment. Delaying professional help means you could risk getting acne scars, which are notoriously difficult to treat. However, adult acne is very treatable and shouldn't be something you need to put up with.

By thanisorn thamlikitkul, md

 

Thanisorn Thamlikitkul, MD, is a member of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology & Aesthetic Surgery and qualified in dermatological laser surgery. Send your questions to info@romrawin.com. Her column appears twice-monthly on the Fashion and Beauty Page.