Innovations in treatments available at medical spas are constantly changing. That's largely due to updated equipment and technology, though the knowledge and skill of the doctor still plays a key role. Keeping track of all the updates and new models of equipment can be a daunting task. Some equipment manufacturers are making it easier by offering a variety of handpieces and attachments that easily augment current machinery. One company doing just that is EndyMed, and we checked in with Michael H. Gold, M.D., medical director at Gold Skin Care Center and Tennessee Clinical Research Center (Nashville), for his insight on some of its latest innovations and how he recommends incorporating new devices into treatments.
What are the most common concerns patients have when they come in to the office/medical spa?
The most common concerns that patients have generally fall into one of several categories. These include helping with the appearance of lines and wrinkles, helping with pigment concerns, taking care of skin laxity, and finally dealing with scarring, usually as a result of acne. Acne is still a concern seen on a daily basis.
The body contouring category is also very large—it is the now the second largest growth market, behind the neurotoxins – and its growth is expected to continue over the next several years.
How can services with the EndyMed devices solve these problems?
Taking care of lines and wrinkles can be done by both the neurotoxins and our fillers, with fractional skin resurfacing systems, including the new EndyMed Intensif radio frequency (RF) microneedles, which will target the skin within the dermis to create channels of heat to form new collagen and improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles. As well, the Intensif is a go-to device for treating acne scars and depressed traumatic scars as the needles can penetrate into the scar and with its RF energy, normalize the tissue as it produces new collagen and reverses the scar that was previously there.
For body contouring, we have become very big fans of the EndyMed 3DEEP technology, which uses multiple poles of RF energy at differing distances to deliver the RF energy into the dermis of the skin. It works by targeting water, and produces heat and denaturation of the collagen in that area; in doing so, it stimulates new collagen growth, which leads to more compact collagen, and ultimate skin tightening to the area that was treated. This device is very user friendly, and they have developed hand pieces that are small and large, to work on differing parts of the body, such as the stomach, the flanks, the back area, the neck and face, and the arms and legs. They all work painlessly because of the multiple poles of RF being used and from the configuration of the electrodes that we have in the device.
What is the most common course of treatment you recommend?
To achieve maximum results with the Intensif, a series of treatments is usually required. They can be spaced from two to four weeks apart and there will be some redness to the treatment area up to 2 days in some patients that are treated. This is in stark contrast to the CO2 fractional lasers, which have upwards of 7-10 days of redness and associated downtime. In our clinic it is not uncommon to treat an individual with the Intensif and at the same time use products on the skin that can be absorbed more because of the fractional holes that are now in place, mainly antioxidants or growth factor products. Using skin care that is appropriate post laser or needles helps with the redness — and the downtime to make the patients better faster.
For skin tightening we treat our patients once a month and tell them that on average, two to four treatment sessions will be needed to correct the problem at hand.
How long do results last, and what can clients do to maintain them?
Results from fractionated microneedles last for quite some time. There have never been any long-term follow-up studies for these devices, but many of my patients have noticed a continued effect on collagen rejuvenation with these treatments well after the procedures have been performed. Daily skincare is still needed and should always include a sunscreen. An antioxidant or growth product topical can also enhance and help maintain the rejuvenated or scarred areas.
Results from the EndyMed 3DEEP procedure have seen improvements in body contouring as a result of the treatments, all without pain, which is different than many of the RF devices already out there. With this procedure, there is no downtime; the patients will feel some warmth – but this is usually nothing to worry about for you or your patients. I always recommend some sort of diet and exercise.
What are other future potential uses of EndyMed devices? (What do you think is next in this area?)
Because EndyMed is a platform technology, upgrades can be continually added to the main device; rather than purchasing an entirely new device, new handpieces can be acquired and used to refine the way in which radio frequency energy is delivered. The software can also be upgraded to accommodate new and exciting developments.
The latest upgrade is the new EndyMed Shaper handpiece, which has been added to the mix to target larger areas of the body for tightening and improving the appearance of lax skin. Among other benefits, the Shaper allows for better volumetric heating and shorter treatment times (20-30 minutes for large areas) thanks to its uniquely engineered electrode surface.
As we continue to learn about all of the potential uses of RF energy and embrace new and exciting technology, I see EndyMed as a much more important player in the coming years.