Rapid Numbing + Laser Combo Equals an Aesthetic Practice WinRapid Numbing + Laser Combo Equals an Aesthetic Practice Win

Aesthetic providers tout a new fractional CO₂ laser and rapid numbing device combo as ideal for comfortably and effectively treating wrinkles, fine lines, enlarged pores and loose and crepey skin.

The numbing device, CryoTouch MD from Monarch Aesthetic Services (Laguna Hills, Calif.) combines science with technology, according to Larry Helwig, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Clearskin Institute of Laser Aesthetics and Phoenix Medical, in Phoenix, Ariz. “Scientifically, we know that CO₂ changes the skin’s pH from 5.5 to 4.8, allowing the stratum corneum to open for fast, effective delivery of any product. CO₂ is then absorbed into the dermis, where it creates the Bohr’s effect releasing oxygen from the hemoglobin into the surrounding tissue. It stimulates collagen 1 and 3 as well as fibroblasts, and, in the process, creates angiogenesis,” Mr. Helwig explained. “The technology is a streamlined small device that uses a small CO₂ cannister and cartridges to dispense the cold product onto the skin. It is easy to use, cost-effective and saves time.”

Numbing a patient might typically take 40 minutes but with CryoTouch MD it takes about 15 minutes, according to Mr. Helwig. “For really aggressive procedures you can treat with CryoTouch MD a little longer to get an even greater numbing effect,” he noted. Beverly Hills, Calif.-based facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Rami Batniji, MD, uses Monarch’s new SmartXide PRO after pretreating patients’ skin. SmartXide PRO is versatile enough to effectively treat a broad range of common patient concerns, with minimal downtime.

“A common concern that we treat is crepey skin of the lower eyelid. We can perform surgery to excise some of the redundant skin in a skin pinch lower blepharoplasty; however, we find these patients also benefit greatly from a laser resurfacing with the SmartXide PRO to reduce wrinkles and promote collagen production,” Dr. Batniji remarked. “In some instances, we do these procedures together. In other instances, we recommend the laser resurfacing with the SmartXide PRO alone because the surgical procedure may result in lower lid malposition and/or an unfavorable scar.”

The most common procedure that Dr. Batniji performs in combination with the SmartXide PRO is a deep plane facelift. “While the deep plane facelift can reposition tissues, restore volume into more youthful contours and remove some excess skin, it cannot improve the quality of the skin that is not removed at the time of surgery,” he shared. Simultaneous laser resurfacing with the SmartXide PRO reduces wrinkles and promotes collagen production.

Dr. Batniji has found that by adjusting the dwell time, wattage and spacing, he can modify the settings to treat each patient’s specific concerns or skin conditions. He can also treat all skin types safely by adjusting these settings.

Melissa Haloossim, NP, clinical director at Skin Thesis in West Hollywood, Calif., has been performing laser skin rejuvenation procedures for 20 years and uses the SmartXide PRO for both light and more aggressive treatments. “As a stand-alone treatment and in combination with other devices, SmartXide PRO greatly improves skin texture and discoloration, with minimal downtime while achieving tightening. What I really love about it is it improves crepey skin,” she stated.

Ms. Haloossim would “100% recommend” this device to colleagues. “This is a diverse technology, with multiple depths and lengths that you can use – from light to medium to intense on the face, neck and body.”