With the increasing amount of bodycontouring systems on the market – allpromising the best results – choosing adevice can be daunting. Invasix Ltd.(Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada)recently introduced BodyTite, a bodycontouring system that simultaneouslyfirms skin. BodyTite has already re-ceived CE and ISO clearance and iscurrently awaiting FDA approval.

BodyTite uses Radiofrequency AssistedLiposuction (RFAL) technology to “simul-taneously coagulate blood vessels –which decreases the amount of bleed-ing and bruising associated with tradi-tional liposuction – and actually dissolvefat cells through the use of radiofrequen-cy (RF) energy,” explained MalcolmPaul, M.D., F.A.C.S., a clinical profes-sor of surgery at The Aesthetic andPlastic Surgery Institute, University ofCalifornia, Irvine. Furthermore, tissuealso coagulates, resulting in an over-all tighter skin appearance.

RF energy travels from an internalcannula to an external electrode, result-ing in coagulation of adipose, vascularand fibrous tissue. Gentle heating ofthe entire soft tissue matrix also occursand aspiration of coagulated tissue isperformed at the same time.

According to Dr. Paul, results areconsiderable. “The coagulated andliquefied tissue is aspirated, whileheating of the soft issue matrix andsubdermal tissue results in significant

body tightening and recontouring.”BodyTite has also evolved RF energyto “treat from the inside out, thusdirectly heating the subdermal andsubcutaneous layers, which are theoptimal target for skin tightening,” Dr.Paul added. “Skin tightening resultsare significant.”

BodyTite’s high speed allows Dr.Paul to treat large body areas, in muchless time than other laser devices.“With the built-in safety features, I amable to maximize my power levels andreach my endpoints in contouring andtemperature faster,” he said.

In addition, most patients enjoy a lesspainful recovery. “They feel better soon-er,” Dr. Paul noted. “This is particularlytrue in areas that tend to be extremelytender after traditional liposuction, suchas the epigastrium.” Overall, “there is

probably at least a 30% or moredecrease in recovery time.”

Diane Duncan, M.D., a plastic sur-geon in private practice in FortCollins, Colo., has evaluated a num-ber of devices for skin tightening.“Despite the claims, nothing other thanBodyTite really works,” she said. Withcompeting systems, “you may attainas much as 10% improvement in skintightening, but BodyTite truly causesskin contraction, if used correctly.”

Together with Invasix, Dr. Duncan isconducting a study of 15 womenundergoing standard liposuction, fol-lowed by RFAL treatment in theinfraumbilical area. Boxes 3 cm insize were tattooed in the areas treat-ed by RFAL technology. The surfacearea of these boxes was then moni-tored objectively over time with athree-dimensional architectural systemmeasuring volumetric change (eitheraddition or lessening) and sequentialsurface area reduction.

BodyTite Evolves RF Energyfor Impressive Body Contouring ResultsBy Bob Kronemyer, Associate Editor

“BodyTite has also evolvedRF energy to treat from the

inside out, thus directlyheating the subdermal andsubcutaneous layers, whichare the optimal target for

skin tightening.”

THE Aesthetic Guide March/April 2009 www.miinews.com2

Malcolm Paul, M.D., F.A.C.S.Clinical Professor of SurgeryThe Aesthetic and Plastic SurgeryInstitute, University of California, IrvineIrvine, CA

Diane Duncan, M.D.Plastic SurgeonPlastic Surgical Associates of Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO

After TxBefore Tx

Photos courtesy of Malcolm Paul, M.D., F.A.C.S.

“We are observing a decrease insurface area and a thickening of theskin in response to the heat,” Dr.Duncan reported. “Although thereare other RF devices that claim tocause skin contraction, it is not reallymeasurable. With BodyTite, you canactually measure the contraction.With one treatment, I am seeing up to40% skin retraction. However, thickerskin is not going to shrink as much.”

According to Dr. Duncan, RFAL isideal for women who don’t want atummy tuck, “but have so much extraskin (for example patients who expe-rienced massive weight loss) that youcannot in good conscious performliposuction because you know it willresult in extra skin that hangs over.With RFAL, I can achieve really niceresults with no large scars in patientswho have had massive weight loss orthat have poor skin quality with fat,who would normally have to undergoa dermolipectomy.”

For additional control and safety,BodyTite has a precise on-line tem-perature and impedance measure-ment to keep the surgeon informed ofthe epidermal temperature at alltimes. This reduces the risk of thermalside effects and helps the user deter-mine the endpoint for optimal results.Dr. Duncan appreciates this automat-ic shut-off modulator for the occa-sions that settings are exceeded. “Mymaximum setting for skin temperatureis usually between 36° and 38° C. Ido not want the skin to become stiff,nor do I want the fat to be like con-crete, which can occur with overag-gressive liposuction. Every singlepatient of mine has been ecstaticallyhappy with treatment.”

Even though pre-treating the fattyskin with the RF component is anadditional step compared to stan-dard liposuction, “the extra time iswell worth it because of the dramaticskin tightening,” Dr. Duncan noted.Moreover, she cautions physicians to

pay closer attention to the patientthan the system. “Once you achievethe desired contour, and prior to suc-tioning the fat, you can see the skinshrinking before your eyes. By wait-ing to suction, you will achieve a stel-lar result.”

“I consider BodyTite the next-genera-tion in non-surgical skin tighteningdevices – more evolutionary than rev-olutionary – allowing precisely elevat-ed skin temperature,” said JasonPozner, M.D., plastic surgeon andmedical director of Sanctuary MedicalAesthetic Center and Sanctuary PlasticSurgery in Boca Raton, Fla. Dr. Pozneris most impressed with the unidirection-al capability of the system. DirectionalRF, applied between the cannula tipand the external electrode, effectivelytargets the desired areas and avoidsthe possibility of unwanted collateralheating seen with other energy basedtechnologies.

“When heating from the inside out,lasers basically spread their energyin all different directions. This means

that structures below and above thetarget could be heated up, which youmay not want to attend,” Dr. Poznerconveyed. “However, with RFAL, itappears that the energy is directedtoward the skin. This is a hugeadvantage because we no longerhave to worry about heating struc-tures under the probe. We’ll be ableto achieve more precise treatment.The skin also heats quicker and moreuniformly compared to lasers.”

Dr. Pozner is also impressed withthe safety. “The ability to modulatethe skin surface temperature withBodyTite is better than any other sys-tem on the market,” he said. Hence,patients end up with fewer burns.Faster treatment time also means lessanesthesia time.

“This should be an easy procedureto market to patients because I feel itmeets a need,” Dr. Pozner concluded.“We’ll be able to achieve more skintightening in a liposuction patient withloose skin compared to other existingmodalities. These patients may nolonger require a tummy tuck. Practicesshould be able to charge a premiumfor that benefit.”

“With RFAL, it appears thatthe energy is directed

toward the skin. This is ahuge advantage because

we no longer have toworry about heating struc-

tures under the probe.We’ll be able to achievemore precise treatment.”

THE Aesthetic Guide March/April 2009 www.miinews.com3

Jason Pozner, M.D.Medical DirectorSanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center andSanctuary Plastic SurgeryBoca Raton, FL

After TxBefore Tx

Photos courtesy of Malcolm Paul, M.D., F.A.C.S.