Are you tired of crossing your legs when you sneeze or laugh? 

Well, if you answered yes to this then I have the treatment for you, vaginal rejuvenation. So I am here opening the door and telling patients about my experience. And who better than someone who not only has had it done, but preforms the procedure in our office. 

So what is vaginal rejuvenation? Good question, I am very glad you asked. Vaginal rejuvenation’s goal is to enhance collagen, blood vessels, tightness, and lubrication. A non-surgical, painless treatment during which the vagina is tightened. This procedure is done by a CO2 fractional laser (Core2) in three easy treatments.

This can make immense differences in women’s quality of life to solve age-related problems such as: laxity of vagina (lack of tightness), stress urinary incontinence, and lack of lubrication. There are also “Kegels exercises” every woman has done at some point in our lives. 3 times a day: Make sure your bladder is empty, then sit or lie down. Tighten your pelvic floor muscles. Hold tight and count 3 to 5 seconds. Relax the muscles and count 3 to 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times, 3 times a day (morning, afternoon, and night). But never got the result you were looking for.

I can also speak from experience that this truly works. 

3 easy, quick treatments can change everything in your life including sex ladies. It will last about a year; and then you just pop in at lunch, and have one done just to keep things happy. It actually takes longer to get undressed and redressed than the actual procedure. It is that quick. I have been certified to operate the laser and I am happy to show you the documentation. After the procedure, I could not tell anything was done. The down side is you cannot have sex for five days; but if your married, 5 days is nothing...just kidding.

Let’s answer some more questions. So what is a CO2 laser treatment?

The laser heats up the upper layers of the tissue, causing the tissue in the lower layers to make more collagen. This makes the skin firmer and tighter. You could have a vaginoplasty done, however this is surgical and who would want a surgical procedure if you can get the same result without a surgery.

The next question I get is what does it feel like? You may feel some warmth during the procedure or you may feel nothing. Most patients notice a difference after the second treatment, but do not forget you have one more. We also have “Big Bang" lubrication which has CBD in it to enhance the pleasure during sex. We do require a copy of your recent report from your OBGYN before performing this.

So what is stopping you from having it done? Who doesn’t want to enhance their sex life?

-Jodie Uhlemeyer

Inside information

Hi, it’s Jodie. I know almost everyone; but I know patients come and go every day in our office, and may not see me unless you’re sedated in the morning for an injection. But I am still here running things from the back, when I do see patients from time to time I always joke stating “I have escaped from my room”. LOL 

I know we have some new faces in the office; but one small detail I require is for everyone to work, and not short cut.

If you have been in our office lately, I am sure you have seen all the information about the new business Dr. Sturm has opened. Dr. James Sturm is dedicated to helping everyone he is always learning from reading studies to books. If you have been with Dr. Sturm you know his dedication to his patients. Dr. Sturm gradated second in his medical class but he has a heart of gold. He has not let this go to his head like most doctors. He chooses to educate his patients, so he is not afraid of telling someone NO, if something is not being done for the right reason or purpose. He believes he has a moral obligation to do the right thing for his patients. Dr. Sturm is Board Certified in Aesthetics by the American Academy of Aesthetics Medicine on top of being trained by Dr. Jeffrey Kline the inventor of Tumescent Liposuction.

Dr. Sturm has been trained by Inmode and Candela for all the lasers in the office. He went about it in a different way to purchase his lasers. He went to RealSelf.com and saw what was getting the best results for the patients versus listening to all the sales representatives telling how great every laser on the market was better than the next. 

Most people do not understand how or why Dr. Sturm got involved with aesthetics to begin with, so let me tell you a little story. Dr. Sturm and I went to a course in Utah. (I’m sure most of you remember us being out of the office for training in 2017). We went to a PRP (Plasma Rich Platelet) course and Stem Cell when across the hall, was someone telling us how you can get stem cell from fat. (This is true)Dr. Sturm said you can’t just pull a small amount out and leave someone with a davit. So this is when he started researching liposuction. He was reading anything he could find, because again he wants the right thing for his patients. As he was researching and reading study after study, he realized the best stem cell is from bone marrow. Meanwhile, he still decided to do more research on liposuction, and came across fat transfers. Finally, you can move the unwanted fat to an area you want enlarged such as breast or butt. Again, he did more research reading more studies and finding every book he could read. We went on several training adventures: from New York to Florida to California to Texas to Utah. The one thing Dr. Sturm prides himself on is learning. A Lot of doctors go into this business for the money. Well, Dr. Sturm doesn’t mind the money however he does put almost all of it back into the business. He takes home probably as much as I do running two practices for him. He said I want to give the patients what they want, but at a reasonable price, “I am not into gouging my patients”. So yes, our prices are lower than most doctors and that is one of the reasons. Yes, we have the same lasers as our competitors but we believe in charging for service. We have made sure that anyone who runs one of our lasers is trained and certified. You will find spas and other medical spas letting staff run lasers and call themselves laser technician without being professionally trained, this goes from your upscale to the most advertised spas. So please ask to see the certification, it should be posted. 

So with all of that knowledge now I want to tell you about what Find A Better You has to offer you. We do everything from: Friday Facials, age spot removal, sunspot removal, scar removal, we can help with acne, laser hair removal that’s right ladies and men no more shaving, bridal spa parties, IPL get your glow on before you take the next family photos, we can help with: the double chins, the wobbly arms, and even that little fat pocket you can’t seem to lose no matter what you do, and so much more. So please check out our website for not just Arch Advanced Pain Management but also "Find A Better You" both links are attached. We offer care credit for any of the services. So come check us out and if interested call and set up a consultation, we do ask for 50 dollar deposit which is applied to your service. You deserve to be pampered and who better than the doctor you already know and trust.

- Jodie Uhlemeyer

www.StLouisPainManagement.com

www.StlLipo.com

Even the best doctor’s office or Medical Spa in St. Louis may have laser technician/medical assistant that may not be certified. This is something most people do not think about, we assume the medical spa is running a legitimate business!

There is a large cost in providing laser services in a Spa. Every laser is over $100,000 to buy new, adding on the training cost, and $10,000 dollar warranty per machine for a one year increases that cost to own. In St. Louis the nicest and most expensive spas will cut cost somewhere. Question is: Are you willing to take the chance?

You have the right to ask questions:

• Is the staff running the laser trained? 
• Are they trained on that laser, and by whom?
• Was it someone in house? If so, that is not a certified laser technician.

This is how spas cut cost. Even if they went to a school to become a laser technician does not mean they have been trained correctly to run the laser they are using. All laser companies employ staff that travel around the USA to train doctors and staff how to work and maintain that laser.

Think of this way, we have all played telephone with cans and a string. If they are trained in house more than likely they learned from someone who learned from someone else. Was the message the same by the time it reached the last person? Probably not!

A Medical Spas that are run correctly will not do this. They will post the certification for everyone to see. They are proud of it. When scheduling an appointment for laser, ask good questions about the machines being used on you.

So ask the questions, don’t assume because you’re in a Clayton, Ballwin, Chesterfield, high class expensive Medical spa that they know what they are doing. If you’re at a Medical Spa you have to be seen by the doctor in Missouri. So ask yourself this, if you go to a spa and there is no doctor in house who is supervising the laser technician or medical assistant? Is the spa really on the up and up??

Aging is a fact of life. But just because you grow older chronologically, your skin doesn’t have to show the signs of aging. There are procedures available that are non- or minimally-invasive that can reduce the appearance of wrinkles on your face and body.

What Causes Wrinkles

Wrinkles are a natural result of the aging process. As we age, our skin gets thinner and dryer, making it less able to spring back from exposure or activities that crease our skin. Several factors come into play to create permanent wrinkles:

1. Facial expressions, like frowning, smiling or squinting.
2. Exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun and tanning booths.
3. Smoking decreases the blood supply to the skin.
4. Excessive alcohol dehydrates the skin.

Treatments for Reducing Wrinkles

You can use creams and other products to help prevent and lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; however, deeper wrinkles need additional treatment. Professional procedures can be effective in reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles. Three very effective treatments offered by Find A Better You include the Sublative, INNOPen microneedling therapy and CO2RE.

Sublative Skin Rejuvenation

Another effective and non-invasive method for reducing fine lines and wrinkles is the Sublative Skin Rejuvenation treatment. This procedure is also successful in treating acne scars, reducing pore size, and improving the overall texture of the skin’s surface. Another advantage over some other treatments is that Sublative works on virtually all skin types.

This process uses fractionated bipolar radio frequency directed at the skin in the form of a matrix. It stimulates the growth of new collagen and healthy skin cells, which improves the overall elasticity and texture of the skin.

No injections are involved in the Sublative process, so aftereffects and downtime following the procedure are minimal. You may experience a warm, tingly sensation during the process. Afterward, you may have a flushing on the treatment area that resembles a minor sunburn. Anesthetic and cooling ointments can be used to lessen these effects.

The treatment typically takes approximately one hour. In general, it is recommended to get 3 treatments, 4-6 weeks apart; however, your specific treatment plan will depend on your skin’s condition.

INNOPen Microneedling   

Most of us are familiar with the Botox procedure, which smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. When injected, Botox partially paralyzes the underlying muscles, which reduces and prevents future wrinkling from facial expressions. Botox is effective mainly on wrinkles with facial muscle movement and not the wrinkles at rest.

INNOPen goes even further, because it actually stimulates the production of new, healthy skin cells. This process not only reduces the appearance of wrinkles, it produces skin that is smoother and more radiant. In addition to treating wrinkles, it can also be used to successfully improve acne scars, stretch marks and other skin imperfections.

INNOPen uses a wireless, hand-held device that contains tiny needles to create microscopic punctures in the skin. It forms new capillaries to increase blood flow, collagen and elastin in the skin. It can be used on all areas of the face and body. The procedure is virtually pain-free and can be highly targeted to smaller areas, like around the nose.

Because microneedling is a gentle procedure, there is no downtime required afterward. In fact, it can be easily performed over a lunch period, after which you can return to your normal everyday functions.

Depending on the depth and extent of the areas to be treated, you may need multiple procedures. These are usually scheduled about a month apart to allow the skin to heal in between treatments.

CO2RE Skin Resurfacing

CO2RE treats the skin with a matrix of laser pulses. The treatment varies in intensity, depending on your skin type and desired results.

CO2RE can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, as well as reduce the effects of sun damage, acne scars and skin discoloration.

The CO2RE treatments are safe with minimal discomfort. A topical anesthetic is applied to the area to be treated. After treatments, your skin may be red and sensitive for several hours, similar to extended exposure to the sun. Your skin may peel as a natural part of the exfoliation process for 7-10 days.

You’ll notice results after the very first treatment. Your skin will gradually improve over time. These results can last weeks or months, depending on factors like health, age and skin care regime. CO2RE Fractional CO2 laser treatments give some of the most dramatic results, short of actual surgery.

Reducing the Appearance of Wrinkles Is Readily Available

You can look younger and more radiant in a very short timeframe by choosing one of the non-surgical wrinkle-removing procedures we’ve discussed here. Contact Find A Better You today to learn how you can get smoother looking skin with minimal downtime.

Finally, a Non-Invasive Solution to Unsightly Cellulite

Dimples are cute if they are in your facial cheeks. But when they start appearing in your buttocks, thighs, abdomen or other unwanted areas of your body, they are definitely not attractive nor desirable. There are now very effective methods for reducing the appearance of cellulite that don’t require surgery or downtime.

What Is Cellulite?

Cellulite is not a disease, but a cosmetic skin condition that is quite common, especially among women. Cellulite is a puckering or dimpling of the skin’s surface. Its bumpy texture is often described as that of an “orange peel” or “cottage cheese”.

Cellulite develops when fat cells beneath the skin expand and create bulges that build up and appear on the skin’s surface. The bumps and dimples may appear as small and scattered or larger indentations with peaks and valleys. The lumps are from the fat cells pushing against the connective tissue beneath the skin. Cellulite does not discriminate--you can have it whether you’re overweight, average or underweight.

What Causes Cellulite

Although not much is known on specific causes of cellulite, there are conditions and events that can possibly affect and create its appearance. Heredity, skin thickness and pigmentation, the amount of body fat and age are some of the factors that can affect the existence and extent of cellulite.

There are other things that can trigger the appearance of cellulite.

But, even if these conditions exist, they may contribute to cellulite in some individuals, but not others. Regardless, cellulite is a very common issue, especially for women. It is estimated that 80-90% of post-pubescent women will get cellulite, with the likelihood increasing with age. That’s because the skin gets thinner and looser, so cellulite will be more visible.

The good news is that the existence of cellulite does not affect your overall health. It can, however, be an embarrassment, especially during the warmer months, when swimsuits, shorts and crop tops can expose those areas. More good news: you can get rid of that cellulite before you start wearing your summer clothes!

Treatments for Cellulite Reduction

There are several treatments that can be used for reducing the appearance of cellulite. Some are more effective than others, but none will get rid of it entirely. Beware of any claims saying they “cure” or “permanently remove” your cellulite.

Radiofrequency Solutions

One of the most effective solutions to reduce the appearance of cellulite is to treat it with radiofrequency energy. This procedure is a relatively new and promising technology for non-surgical body contouring, fat and cellulite reduction.

Radiofrequency is widely accepted as being the most effective cellulite reduction and skin tightening technology available today, for both face and body. It is far superior to lasers, which do not penetrate anywhere near as deep as radiofrequency does. By applying intensive heat on collagen and fat cells, radiofrequency helps increase skin tightness and reduce fat, thereby improving the contour and texture of body and face.

There are several manufacturers of radiofrequency equipment technology. Some are more effective than others.

BodyFX

BodyFX by Inmode is a premier procedure that is FDA approved for treating cellulite and improving your skin’s elasticity. BodyFX was one of the initial pioneers to use the radiofrequency technology to destroy fat cells causing the appearance of cellulite. It also tightens the skin in the process, making it smoother looking.

BodyFX is an alternative to the more invasive liposuction procedure sometimes used for cellulite reduction and body shaping. It is a completely non-invasive process that produces long-lasting results. It uses radiofrequency energy, deep tissue heating and suctioning, coupled with negative pressure to improve the look and feel of your skin.

During the procedure, thermal monitoring measures your body temperature i to indicate the treatment’s effectiveness. You will experience warming and gentle pulsing sensations during the process, caused by the radiofrequency and vacuuming removes the pockets of fat. Most people experience no pain and find the treatment very comfortable.

It is recommended to have one session per week for 8 weeks. You will see a gradual improvement during the treatment period. No downtime is needed; in fact, the procedure can be accomplished during your lunch period and you can return to work immediately afterwards. You may feel a warm sensation similar to that felt after a deep tissue massage. The treated area may be red, but not painful. You may resume normal activities immediately.

MiniFX

MiniFX uses the same radiofrequency energy as BodyFX to treat cellulite and tighten the skin, except for smaller areas of the body. MiniFX is ideal for the neck, arms and knees. Just as with BodyFX, it is non-invasive, safe and comfortable. Eight weekly sessions are recommended and can be done over a lunch hour. You will have no residual discomfort or require any downtime after treatments.

Schedule Your Consultation Today to Learn More

Find a Better You offers BodyFX and MiniFX for cellulite reduction and body shaping, as well as a myriad of other skin treatments. Contact us today to learn how you can get the beautiful skin you want and deserve!

Don’t Risk Surgery to Get the Skin Improvement You Want

As you age, your skin loses its elasticity because of the increased reduction of collagen production. This results in the skin sagging and wrinkling with a general loss of contouring. There are surgical procedures that can correct these issues, but they come at a price, not only monetarily, but in recovery time and scarring.

Now you can get the effects of a facelift without having to go under the knife! There are several options available for skin tightening treatments, which we will discuss here.

Fractora

One option that has garnered a lot of attention in recent years is Fractora. It’s a scientifically-proven method where fractionated radiofrequency energy is used to restore your skin’s elastis and slow down the effects of aging. It is a skin resurfacing method that basically is a bridge between fractional lasers and surgical procedures. Fractora is a minimally invasive procedure that can improve your skin’s appearance, reducing wrinkles, redness and other facial irregularities.

The treatment uses the radiofrequency energy to heat the deep layers of the skin which increases the collagen production. You may see improvements after your first treatment, but everyone’s situation is different. Typically, results will be most visible about two weeks after treatment and will continue for up to 3 months. You can expect 1-6 treatment sessions in all, based on your provider’s recommendations.

Fractora is typically used on the facial area, but can be used on any areas of the body where there is sagging or wrinkling skin. Common areas include upper and lower eyelids, crows feet and other smile lines, forehead, cheeks, mouth, neck, chest and hands. The technology works on all skin types, regardless of pigmentation.

Fractora can be combined with other energy treatments or injectables. For example, FracTotal is a combination of the powerful technologies of Lumecca, Fractora, CO2, and Forma. This is a total facial rejuvenation that treats multiple issues, like tone, texture, pigment, laxity, brightness, pore size, fine lines, deep wrinkles, and crepe skin.

There may be some bruising or redness after treatment that will decrease and disappear over time (one week maximum). It is recommended to use a good moisturizer and broad spectrum sunscreen on the treatment area. Avoid direct sun exposure during your treatment. You may apply makeup within 1-2 days following treatment.

Forma

Another procedure used to improve skin elasticity is Forma. It is a thermal skin treatment that is completely non-invasive and reaches deep into the bottom layers of the skin in order to stimulate the tissue. It is a painless procedure that also uses radiofrequency technology to increase collagen production and rejuvenate and tighten the skin.

Forma is based on the A.C.E system, used in a variety of radiofrequency skin treatments. This stands for:

• Acquire - The Forma sensors work with software to immediately read the skin temperatures. This allows the physician to monitor and adjust application for maximum effectiveness and comfort.
• Control - Forma combines the information with the physician’s guidelines to make instant adjustments to the healing energy.
• Extend - Forma will re-calibrate itself to adjust the temperatures to maximize the skin’s exposure and treatment effectiveness.

Forma is typically used on facial areas like the forehead, crows feet, upper and lower eyelids, nasolabial folds, jowls, smile lines and neck. It can also be used on the upper arms, abdomen and other areas needing contraction. Six weekly sessions are recommended for maximum effectiveness, but as always, each case is different. Your treatment plan may be shortened or lengthened, based on your evaluation.

As with Fractora, Forma may be combined with other laser treatments, facials and fillers, including the FracTotal Facial skin rejuvenation extensive treatment.

FaceTite

FaceTite is a relatively new minimally invasive procedure that provides the results of a surgical facelift without the scars. It works by applying radiofrequency to melt fat and tighten skin. In fact, your skin will tighten by 40% during the first treatment! During the course of the next several weeks, the appearance will improve continuously.

The FaceTite hand-piece is designed to be minimally invasive creating skin tightening with virtually no scarring and no stitches required, this makes the recovery process even quicker. FaceTite can be used to treat a double chin, jowls and other facial areas with loose skin and deep lines. One treatment is usually enough to successfully address the targeted areas.

The FaceTite procedure requires local anesthesia. The post-procedure effects are greatly reduced when compared with a surgical facelift. Afterward, there may be some minor swelling and wearing a compression garment is necessary. However, patients may return to normal activity shortly thereafter. Results are visible immediately, with optimal results appearing 6 months after and continuing up to 12 months.

Profound

Profound, by Candela  is an FDA-approved treatment that can help tighten, lift and contour skin in the face and neck. The non-surgical, minimally-invasive procedure uses a hand-piece that has 5 micro-needles connected to electrodes. These needles deliver radiofrequency deep into the dermis, promoting production of elastin and collagen, which is what rejuvenates the skin.

The Profound procedure requires only one treatment, usually lasting 45 minutes or less. The physician will administer a local anesthetic to increase the patient’s comfort level. Patients may experience a tingling or warm sensation during the procedure.

Results can last up to 9 months and is effective for all skin types. After-effects can include a sunburn-like redness or rash. These effects should diminish gradually over a few weeks.

Schedule Your Consultation Today to Learn More

Find a Better You offers all of the non-surgical skin tightening treatments discussed in this article. Contact us today to learn how you can get smoother looking skin without the discomfort and scars of surgical facelifts.

Have you ever heard the term "fat transfer" and wondered what it meant?

If you've ever felt unhappy with your body, then there's a good chance you've already researched a few options that could give you a body you'd be proud to show off. And if that sounds like you, then maybe you have come across terms like Brazilian butt lift and breast enhancement and wondered what they were and how they managed to achieve such incredible results. Both of these procedures are known as fat transfers, and today we’re going to tell you what they are and what incredible results you can expect with such a procedure. However, we’ll also tell you about other options you can explore if you want to eliminate fat from your body, including liposuction and some newer and more technologically advanced treatments, like BodyFX, BodyTite, and FaceTite.

Understanding the Fat Transfer Process 

The idea behind a fat transfer is pretty straightforward. You take fat from one area of your body and move it to another. A fat transfer, however, has two simultaneous goals: to remove unwanted fat from one part of the body and redistribute it to sculpt another part. Here's an explanation of the basic process:

• First, an anesthesiologist will administer either a general or local anesthetic
• Then, the surgeon will make small incisions in the skin
• Next, the surgeon will insert a thin tube into the area and remove excess fat
• After removal, the fat will be processed to separate blood, fluid, and other tissues
• When the fat is ready, the surgeon will use a syringe to inject it into the area you want to augment

The Most Popular Types of Fat Transfer Options 

When people have fat redistributed in their body, the fat that was removed can be used anywhere on the body. However, there are some common destinations where people want the fat to end up, including:

Breasts: When you have fat transferred to your breasts, it's known as breast enhancement or augmentation. The results of this process can be transformative, but it's important to be aware that this procedure is really only suitable if you're looking for natural results and a smaller increase in size (compared to implants, which can make your breasts much larger with a single treatment).

Buttocks: When fat is redistributed to the buttocks, it’s called a Brazilian butt lift. Once the fat is removed, it can be transferred to the buttocks to increase the size, sculpt the shape, or fill out sagging skin in the area to give you a firmer backside.

Preparing for Recovery and Knowing What to Expect Post-Op

A fat transfer is a relatively minor procedure. The incisions made to remove the fat are quite small, and the injection points from where the fat is redistributed rarely require attention. You can expect bruising and swelling to appear in the days and weeks following the procedure, but you can also expect your body to heal within ten days to three weeks. Nonetheless, you might want to take some time off work to give the bruising and swelling time to subside. Finally, it's important to have realistic expectations for the procedure, since it can take as long as six months for the results to really take effect.

Liposuction: An Ideal Method for Removing Unwanted Fat 

Liposuction is the general method surgeons use to remove unwanted fat from your body, and the process involves making small incisions in the skin, inserting a tube into the incision point, and then loosening and sucking out excess fat with a special tube. Once the fat has been removed, it can either be used to sculpt your body (fat transfer), or it can be discarded, leaving you with a firmer and more toned body. There are common areas people want to be treated with liposuction, and those are the areas where stubborn fat tends to accumulate, such as:

• Belly fat and love handles from the abdomen
• Fat from around the thighs that gives you that pear shape
• Back fat that can make wearing a bra uncomfortable
• Fat under the arms that hangs and wiggles
• Neck and chin fat that give you a double chin

For some women who want smaller breasts, liposuction may be a viable alternative to breast reduction surgery, but your surgeon can assess your situation and tell you if liposuction is the right choice to remove excess fat from your chest. 

Non-Surgical and Non-Invasive Body Contouring and Sculpting Options

Liposuction and fat transfer are relatively safe, but they are both considered surgical procedures. When you're looking for a safe, effective, and totally non-invasive body sculpting technique, then BodyFX is the latest and greatest of these technologies.

BodyFX uses a special machine to target areas of the body with heat generated by radiofrequency. This technology heats the treatment area to a specific temperature. When the optimal temperature is reached, the fat cells will then contract and can be killed with energy pulses. This technique is combined with negative pressure massage to stimulate fat store's in the body and allow the machine to penetrate deeper. BodyFX has many positive results, including:

• Reduced fat deposits
• Tighter skin
• Shapelier body
• Less visible cellulite

How Long Does the BodyFX Process Take?

BodyFX starts with eight treatments over the course of eight weeks, with each session typically lasting 15 to 30 minutes. Following the initial procedure, you can follow up a few times a year for maintenance sessions. You'll see the most drastic results within six months to a year.

Exploring Minimally Invasive Body Contouring and Sculpting Options

Two other options for body sculpting include FaceTite and BodyTite, both of which are minimally invasive procedures that work similarly to liposuction and BodyFX combined. At the start of the process, a surgeon will make tiny incisions in the skin (only local anesthetic is required) and insert a tube, just like with liposuction. The difference, however, is that FaceTite and BodyTite also use the power of radiofrequency to heat and liquefy fat cells. At the same time, the procedure liquefies the cells, and it also removes them from the body through suction. Like BodyFX, these procedures typically require a few sessions over several weeks to achieve the best results, which include:

• Tighter and younger looking skin
• Fat is removed from the body
• Cellulite is treated and minimized
• Your body can be sculpted and contoured at the same time

Because there is an incision site with FaceTite and BodyTite, you can expect minor bruising and swelling in the days following treatment, but this will subside within a few weeks or months following the procedure. Otherwise, recovery is minimal and fast, especially when compared to other surgical fat removal procedures. 

What's the difference between FaceTite and BodyTite? The only real difference is the scope of the area targeted with the treatment. FaceTite is designed for small areas like the face and neck, whereas BodyTite can target larger areas like the abdomen.

Why We Have Problem Areas

Everybody has problem areas that they immediately notice when they look in the mirror. You might often grab the flab and wonder why it seems impossible to get rid of the fat. Even people who exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and are fit will have problem areas that can really only be treated with fat transfer and removal techniques.

But before you blame yourself for these problem areas, it can help to understand why we have them in the first place. The answer, at least in part, is hormones. While your diet and lifestyle will determine how much body fat you have, it’s sex hormones (namely testosterone and estrogen) that determine how that fat gets deposited around your body. For women, our bodies tell us to accumulate fat around our breasts, hips, and thighs. However, genetic and environmental factors may also be telling your body to store fat in other places. All of these factors and the pressures inside your head can be addressed with procedures like fat transfer, liposuction, and other fat reduction techniques.

Although you might not be able to alter how and where fat is naturally distributed throughout your body, there are effective procedures available today that can harness the power of technology to accomplish what your body cannot do on its own. With a fat transfer procedure, you can remove unwanted fat from one area of your body and successfully transfer it to another, effectively using your own fat stores to reshape and augment other parts of your body. Two of the most common areas people augment with fat transfer are the breasts and buttocks, but you could have fat redistributed however you like within your body. There are other options you can explore as well, including non-invasive procedures like BodyFX and minimally invasive treatments such as FaceTite and BodyTite, all of which can reduce fat in your body, reduce the appearance of cellulite, give you tighter and younger looking skin, and sculpt and tone your body. Schedule a consultation to see how fat transfer and removal techniques can transform your body and your life.

Everywhere you go these days, one company or another is advertising revolutionary new skin treatments that promise to give you back the skin of your youth. But while many of these treatments and procedures are fads that fade quickly when people realize they don't deliver on the promises they make, there are others that enjoy enduring popularity because they do work and they are able to produce the desired results. These include procedures like laser hair removal, the treatment of scars and spider veins, and even body contouring and sculpting techniques that can give you a body you will love looking at in the mirror. If you've recently noticed some things about yourself that you'd like to change, here's a breakdown of the most popular skin treatments people use to achieve younger looking, healthier, and flawless skin. 

Fat and Cellulite Reduction with BodyFX

BodyFX is a cutting-edge fat reduction and body contouring treatment that combines the power of radiofrequency and massage to eliminate fat from your body. Here's a brief primer on how it works: radiofrequency is used to target and heat fat, while negative pressure is used to massage the area at the same time, which results in reduced and contracted fat cells.

This treatment is ideal for those stubborn areas of the body where fat likes to accumulate. You know the ones—like the stomach and thighs—where it seems impossible to get rid of the fat with diet and exercise. Although BodyFX is a popular fat reduction technique, it can also be used as a skin treatment because you can target the effects to specifically reduce cellulite and give you smoother and younger looking skin than you’ve had in years. And one of the best things about BodyFX is that it’s a completely non-invasive procedure, so there are no severe complications to worry about ahead of the appointment and recovery time is almost non-existent.

BodyFX Can Also Promote Skin Tightening 

Along with reducing cellulite and giving you smoother skin, BodyFX is also commonly used as a skin treatment because it can produce tighter and more youthful skin. The BodyFX machine generates heat that it then uses to melt fat, and this heat also stimulates collagen production in your body. Collagen is a specific protein that is present in your body's connective tissue, and it helps to keep skin strong, elastic, and hydrated. When your body produces less collagen as you get older, the result is wrinkled dry, and even sagging skin. By promoting collagen production, therefore, BodyFX treatments will promote younger looking and smoother skin.

Skin Treatments for Acne Scars, Facial and Spider Veins, and More

Most of the popular skin treatments on the market are ones that are designed to fight the visible signs of aging but also treatments that are meant to give you softer and more even skin, such as:

• Wrinkle removal
• Treatment of spider veins
• Removal of conspicuous veins in the face
• Treatment of acne scars
• Elimination of pigmented and vascular lesions

The three most advanced skincare technologies on the market that can address all of these issues and more are:

Lumecca: This breakthrough technology uses intense pulsed light that treats vascular and pigmented lesions by improving your skin's tone and pigmentation. It's a highly efficient treatment that rejuvenates skin in one to two sessions, as opposed to the four to six required with similar technologies. 

Fractora: This non-surgical device uses fractional lasers to accomplish many common goals of popular skin treatments, including tightening skin and providing a more youthful appearance, improving complexion, treating acne scars, and reducing skin irregularities.

Forma: This is another non-surgical treatment that uses thermal technology to achieve deep tissue stimulation. The result of this is a tightening of the skin that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and takes years off your face.

Important Maintenance and Recovery Information About Skin Treatments

Even non-invasive and non-surgical procedures require some preparation and recovery, even if you're able to return to your normal life immediately following treatment. For instance, some treatments will leave your skin slightly red or swollen, and this could last for a couple of hours once the procedure is complete. Other treatments, on the other hand, will have no negative side effects at all.

Similarly, while some procedures will produce results immediately after a single treatment, others like Lumecca will sometimes require multiple treatments over the course of several weeks or months before you'll see the results you were looking to achieve. Other procedures again may only require a single treatment, but it could take two to four weeks before you begin to notice a difference in the appearance of your skin. To prepare yourself, talk to your skin care professional about what you can expect after your treatment in terms of maintenance, recovery, and results.

Keeping Your Skin Young and Healthy with Lifestyle Choices

Getting younger looking skin is a goal that most women share, which is why so many of the popular skin treatments have the goal of producing smoother, plumper, and fresher skin. And while these treatments are effective, there are also habits you can adopt in your daily life to help you maintain your youthful appearance before and after the procedure. Here are a few tips:

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet
• Exercise regularly
• Drink plenty of water
• Quit smoking if you do smoke cigarettes or other tobacco products
• Avoid the sun as much as possible, and wear sun protection 365 days a year (just because it's cold or winter time, that doesn't mean the sun isn't out and UV rays can't affect you)
• Avoid alcohol, which can dehydrate your skin
• Wash your face each day with a gentle cleanser
• Moisturize your skin after bathing and washing

Treatment Options to Get Rid of Unwanted Hair 

How many times have you found yourself in the shower shaving your armpits or legs and thinking you'd give just about anything to never have to go through this again? If this sounds familiar—and it most likely does—then it’ll come as no surprise that another hugely popular skin treatment is laser hair removal.

As the name implies, laser hair removal uses a laser to target and kill individual hair follicles. Not only are laser treatments highly targeted (so you don’t lose hair in places where you actually want it), but they're also highly effective. Plus, newer technologies have drastically reduced the redness, skin irritation, and discomfort associated with these treatments, and fewer sessions are typically required to achieve the same results as with older technologies. However, the number of treatments you may require will depend on a number of factors, including:

• Hair color
• Skin tone
• Area of the body where hair is being removed
• Personal hair removal goals

How to Prepare for a Laser Treatment 

There are some key things you will need to do to prepare for a laser hair removal treatment; otherwise, you risk damaging your skin. The most crucial thing is to avoid the sun for at least two weeks before the procedure date because this could result in severe burns. Similarly, avoid plucking, waxing, and bleaching your hair for about six weeks leading up to the treatment, because this could reduce the effectiveness of the procedure. To avoid damaging your skin afterward, don’t pluck or bleach your hair for another four to six weeks.

Less Popular Hair Removal Alternatives

Shaving has already been mentioned as one of the least popular hair removal options out there, but is it really the worst? Sure, you have to do it every day or every few days, but at least it’s a pain-free process (mind you there are ingrown hairs and razor burn to contend with) that doesn’t require hair to be ripped from your body.

Other common hair removal techniques that women have tried involve a measure of pain, and these include plucking and waxing. Plucking is acceptable if you want to shape hair in an area or only need to remove a few errant hairs, but it’s definitely painful. Waxing is similarly unpleasant, but it's good at removing larger portions of hair at once. The major benefit of these two methods is that your hair won't grow back as quickly as with shaving. Another option is hair removal creams, but while these are pain-free, they use harsh chemicals that can cause major burns if used improperly. When compared to these alternatives, you can see why laser hair removal is the preferred course of action for many women.

These common skin treatments are among the most popular because they are safe, they are effective, and they make women look and feel more beautiful by giving them the skin they deserve. Whether you're battling dark spots, unsightly patches of hair, acne scars, or other problems that often affect your skin, these treatments can correct the problem and give you more youthful and more vibrant skin. To learn more about the procedures that could benefit your skin and complexion, schedule a consultation with Find A Better You today.

Body contouring is a term that's often thrown around when people talk about cosmetic enhancements but have you ever wondered what it is and how it works? If so, you're not alone! Body contouring, which can also be called body sculpting, is the process of changing the shape of the body in order to achieve desired results. For instance, maybe you have excess fat around your tummy and wish you could have a slimmer midsection. Body contouring can accomplish that. Some of the common goals of body sculpting include getting tighter skin, fat removal, and having an overall firmer and younger appearance. There are several different procedures and treatments used in body contouring, and today we’ll talk about what they are and how they work to give you the body you want.

What Is Body Contouring and When Do People Do It?

Body contouring is a surgical procedure or minimally to non-invasive treatment designed to sculpt the body into a new form. To illustrate how it works, it can help to think of the way a sculptor works to create a body. The sculptor begins with a shapeless piece of clay and uses their hands and tools to move the clay around and form it into a recognizable shape, such as a woman’s body, for example. But now let's say the sculptor thinks the body is too large in one area, so he or she can remold the sculpture to remove excess clay and make the area smaller. Another option is that the sculptor wants to make one area smaller and another larger, so he or she can take the clay from the larger area and redistribute it to the smaller area.

Surgical and non-invasive body sculpting techniques work in a similar fashion.

The idea of body contouring is to give you the perfect body shape you've always wanted. There are several kinds of body contouring treatments and procedures that we'll talk about today, and they include:

• Lifts
• Liposuction
• Fat transfer
• BodyFX
• FaceTite
• BodyTite

Common Times When People Consider Body Contouring

Just about anybody can decide they want to undergo a body sculpting procedure, but there are popular times in people’s lives when it’s more common to look into body contouring.

One of the most common that surgeons see is following dramatic weight loss. After losing a lot of weight, many people have excess skin that sags and makes them uncomfortable, and body sculpting can make your post-weight loss body shapelier and tighter.

Another common time people seek body contouring is after having children, because being pregnant, giving birth, and breastfeeding can all change a woman’s shape, and contouring can give you back your pre-baby body.

Finally, age can also lead to sagging, excess fat, and other cosmetic issues, so as many women age, they start to look for treatment options that can make their skin and body tighter, firmer, and younger looking.

Common Procedures to Lift Skin and Give a More Youthful and Slender Appearance

The primary goals of body contouring include tightening the skin, obtaining a more youthful appearance, and reducing fat in certain areas to reshape the body. As such, some of the most commonly targeted areas for body contouring include:

• Breasts, with enhancements and reductions
• Abdomen (tummy tucks and love handle removal)
• Thighs through lifts and contouring
• Face and neck to lift and sculpt
• Upper arms (getting rid of excess skin and fat under the arm)

Liposuction Is an Option When Your Goal Is Removing Excess Fat

Liposuction has been a popular cosmetic procedure for many years, but it gets safer and more effective all the time as new technologies and equipment are designed. One of the things people like about liposuction is that it can remove excess fat from the body without a surgeon having to cut fat and skin off, making it a less invasive procedure with shorter recovery times (about three days of downtime). Here's a basic explanation of how liposuction works:

Anesthesia: The anesthesiologist will administer a local or general anesthesia, depending on the type and location of the procedure.

Incision: Once the anesthesia takes effect, the surgeon will make small incisions in the skin around the treatment area.

Suction: After that, the surgeon will insert a special tube into the incision sites to loosen and suck out excess fat. The whole process typically takes from one to three hours.

A Fat Transfer: Liposuction Plus Body Contouring and Augmentation in One

For some people, it's not just excess fat in one area that's a problem, but also a lack of fat, shapeliness, or firmness in another area. For example, as you age, you might have noticed that your buttocks lost shape or became saggy. After a liposuction treatment, you can opt for a fat transfer that will take the fat removed from one area and redeposit it in your buttocks to increase the size, reduce sagginess, and change the shape. This procedure is known as a Brazilian buttock lift. Another common type of fat transfer procedure is a breast enhancement, where fat is removed from one area and moved to the breasts to enhance the size and shape of your chest naturally.

Best Places for Liposuction and Fat Removal for a Fat Transfer

When you get liposuction or a fat transfer, there are certain areas of the body where the fat commonly gets removed from. Typically, these are known as the hard to treat areas where fat tends to accumulate because of hormones and genetics. For most people, the fat in these areas is impossible to eliminate with diet and exercise alone, and liposuction and other fat reduction methods are the only way to get rid of excess and unwanted fat in these areas, which included:

• Abdomen
• Hips or love handles
• Thighs
• Breasts
• Back
• Chin
• Arms

BodyFX: A Non-Invasive Approach to Body Sculpting

Liposuction and fat transfer are both older (though effective) techniques that can remove fat from the body, but there are also more modern approaches to body contouring that you might want to investigate as well. One such treatment is BodyFX, which combines the power of deep massage and radiofrequency to kill and reduce fat cells in targeted spots on the body. A single treatment takes an average of 20 minutes, and within 6 to 12 months, you can expect noticeable changes in your skin and body, including that fat deposits will be drastically reduced, cellulite will be less visible, and your skin will be tighter and more youthful looking.

FaceTite and BodyTite

Two more breakthrough treatments for body contouring that have recently made their appearance are FaceTite and BodyTite. The two procedures are very similar in how they work, but the difference is the location that's targeted. BodyTite is for larger areas on the body, while FaceTite is reserved for the chin, face, neck, and other small areas.

The easiest way to understand these procedures is to think of them as a combination of liposuction and BodyFX. Like BodyFX, FaceTite and BodyTite use radiofrequency to heat fat in a targeted area. These two procedures, however, heat the fat to a temperature where it liquefies, and suction is then used simultaneously to remove the liquefied fat cells from the body.

The benefits of FaceTite and BodyTite are similar to BodyFX (tighter skin, reduced cellulite, and reduced fat). However, these two procedures do require a minimal incision, and they are performed under light, local anesthetic and recovery times are minimal.

Candidates for Body Sculpting

Many people can benefit from the results achieved through body sculpting and contouring, but that doesn’t mean every person is a good candidate for these procedures and treatments.

For instance, if you want body contouring because you've lost a lot of weight but haven't yet stabilized, then it's best you wait until you've reached and maintained your ideal weight for a while before considering treatment. Otherwise, the shape of your body will continue to change as you lose more weight, and the effects of the body contouring procedure will be lost. Here are some other important factors that can help determine candidacy:

• You don’t smoke
• You're in relatively good health
• You want to lead a healthy life that prioritizes good diet and exercise
• You don’t have any medical conditions that could prevent you from healing after a procedure
• You understand the process and have realistic goals about the results

Body contouring and sculpting may seem like something that's reserved for art class, but there are several procedures and treatments available that can, in fact, sculpt the size and shape of your body. Some of the common goals of these procedures are fat removal, fat redistribution, and younger looking or tighter skin. There are surgical, minimally invasive, and even non-invasive treatment options you can explore if you want to get rid of fat, enhance certain areas, reduce cellulite, and look and feel younger. To find out how body contouring can change what you see in the mirror, contact Find A Better You today and schedule a consultation.

Cellulite: there's nothing good about it. It even sounds unpleasant, and it looks even worse, right? Did you know that cellulite affects as many as 90 percent of women and that some even develop it immediately following puberty? The takeaway from this statistic is that if you're battling cellulite, then you're not alone in your struggle or your hatred for it.

The good news about the prevalence of cellulite is that there are always people working to find ways to eliminate it, and that means more effective and safer treatments are always cropping up. In fact, there are cellulite removal techniques available today that actually work, and that can help get you the smooth and radiant skin that you have been dreaming of for a long time. New technologies and equipment have given way to treatments that are safe, non-invasive, and effective at reducing cellulite, and today you'll learn about what these techniques are, how long they take, and what results you can expect to see.

Understanding What Cellulite Is

Cellulite is what you call skin that has the appearance of an orange peel or cottage cheese. This skin is dimpled and lumpy, and it commonly affects fatty areas of the body, such as:

• Stomach

• Thighs

• Buttocks

• Hips

We know that cellulite happens when fat between the skin and the muscle accumulates and pushes against the skin while connective tissue (collagen) pulls the skin down, but we don’t really understand the underlying cause that explains why this happens. Because of this gap in knowledge, there are lots of cellulite treatment options on the market that may temporarily appear to make cellulite go away, but they don't actually provide a permanent solution to the problem. Again, however, there are treatments that do work, so get ready to learn about what they are.

New Technologies Have Given Us Effective and Minimally Invasive Cellulite Treatments

There was a time when the most sought-after treatments for cellulite removal or reduction involved creams, deep tissue massages, and liposuction (more on that later), but time and experience have taught us that these methods really aren't the most effective, or at all. But thanks to the development of new technologies and practices, today we have cellulite removal techniques that are both effective and non-invasive, and they are all available right here in O’Fallon, MO. These techniques, which we will discuss in more detail shortly, include cutting-edge body contouring and body sculpting methods such as:

• BodyTite

• FaceTite

• BodyFX

BodyTite and FaceTite Treatments for Cellulite

BodyTite and FaceTite are advanced body contouring treatments that combine the power of radiofrequency with reliable liposuction techniques to carefully and safely sculpt your face and body. Like liposuction, BodyTite and FaceTite remove fat cells from the body. But unlike liposuction, these methods also use radiofrequency to target and liquefy fat cells with heat, and this means these techniques are up to 35 percent more effective than just liposuction at tightening the skin. At the same time, the treatments also reduce the visibility of cellulite, giving you smoother and softer skin than you’ve had since you were a baby.

The major difference between these two treatments is that BodyTite is designed to address larger areas, whereas FaceTite is specifically aimed at treating smaller and more delicate areas, such as the face, neck, and sensitive skin spots. But both treatments deliver similar results and benefits, which include:

• Safe and controlled fat reduction

• No scarring

• Treatment results are customizable

• Three-dimensional body sculpting and contouring

• Reduction of loose and saggy skin

• Light general anesthetic

• Safe and controlled fat reduction

• Highly targeted treatments

• Quick recovery times

• Treatment is four times faster than laser treatment

BodyFX

BodyFX is another body contouring method that uses radiofrequency heat and massage techniques to reduce fat. This treatment is a highly customizable method of fat reduction, and you can even request that areas with excessive cellulite are specifically targeted with the treatment. BodyFX requires multiple treatments, and patients will typically undergo weekly procedures of 15 to 30 minutes for eight weeks. After that, a few follow-up treatments throughout the year are advised so that you can maintain the beautiful appearance you have achieved.

Unlike some other fat and cellulite reducing techniques, BodyFX is an entirely non-invasive procedure that doesn’t have any of the side effects associated with some other body sculpting methods, such as redness, soreness, bloating, and blanching. Instead, you will be left with healthy, smooth, and youthful skin, and a body that you're proud to show off at the beach, the gym, work, and everywhere else you go.

What Happened to Using Liposuction for Cellulite?

As mentioned previously, there was a time when liposuction was the go-to method for cellulite treatment, but the problem is that it wasn't effective. Liposuction is useful for removing fat from your body, but not cellulite. In fact, we now know that the procedure can actually make the appearance of cellulite worse because it causes even more dimpling in the skin. Another knock against liposuction is that it's a major surgery that requires a general anesthetic, and this means there are a lot of potential complications.  

Reducing Cellulite Through Weight Loss and Muscle Toning

Along with treatment options like BodyTite, FaceTite, and BodyFX, there are also other lifestyle approaches you can use to further reduce the appearance of cellulite on your legs, tummy, and elsewhere on your body. Excess weight is a huge culprit for making cellulite more visible, so maintaining a healthy weight can help to reduce how noticeable cellulite is on your body. Now that's not to say that cellulite only affects people who are overweight because even slim and fit women experience cellulite. But a regular exercise routine that focuses on cardio and strength training will help you lose weight, stay at a healthy weight, and reduce or prevent cellulite from appearing on your body. Furthermore, exercises like strength training and yoga will tone your muscles, and this will make your skin firmer and smoother, thereby making cellulite even less visible. By contrast, not eating a healthy diet, not exercising regularly, and following yo-yo diets can all make cellulite worse.

Other Factors that Can Make Cellulite Better and Worse

Cellulite is a fact of life, and that means there are things that can make it worse. Unfortunately, some of these things are completely out of your control, such as aging. The older you get, the worse cellulite will get. As skin loses its elasticity, and it becomes thin and sags, cellulite production also tends to increase. You might even find yourself prone to developing cellulite because of genetic factors. Some of these predispositions can affect how your body disperses fat as it accumulates, the rate of your metabolism, and circulation levels due to hormone presence. Though it will be difficult to measure these things by yourself to determine your likelihood of developing cellulite, you can just look at older relatives. If other family members have cellulite and have struggled to get rid of it, chances are you will probably notice cellulite on your body and face similar challenges.

But before you panic, there are some factors that are within your control. And smoking is one of them because it can impact collagen levels. Collagen is a protein that plays many roles in your body, but for your skin, it provides structure and elasticity. Smoking weakens collagen, disrupts its formation, and reduces blood flow, and all of this can exacerbate cellulite.

On the other hand, there are specific foods you can use to help battle the appearance of cellulite, and this includes food with a high water content that can reduce inflammation. Inflammation can make cellulite more noticeable, and because staying well-hydrated can reduce inflammation, foods that contain lots of water can minimize the appearance of cellulite. These foods include:

• Watermelon

• Celery

• Lettuce

• Cucumber

• Pineapple

• Berries

• Radishes

• Peppers

Cellulite is one of those words that strike fear into the hearts of most women because we all know what it is and the vast majority of us have it somewhere on our bodies, and, on top of that, a lot of women have tried many things to get rid of it and aren’t having much luck. And while cellulite treatments until now have left us wanting, the development of new equipment and new technology means we now have better tools in our arsenals to combat this pesky and unsightly cosmetic phenomenon.

Even though we don't fully understand cellulite, we do understand what it is, what can make it worse, how it makes us feel, and what can make it better, and that includes treatments like BodyTite, FaceTite, BodyFX, maintaining a healthy body weight with diet and regular exercise, and avoiding certain other things that can worsen the appearance of cellulite. Tired of being distracted by cellulite when you look in the mirror? Schedule a consultation now to see what treatments are available through Find A Better You, and we will help you get the body and skin of your dreams!