Exilis Elite

The Exilis Elite treatment is available in Johannesburg at the Bedfordview branch, as well as in KZN at the Ballito and Durban branches.

The three go to procedures are Thermage, Ulthera and Exilis Elite. The Exilis Elite is newer, more affordable and most promising of the three and early data suggests it may be slightly more effective. Exilis is the most comfortable to have done. Ulthera tends to be the most painful and Thermage is the most expensive of all 3 treatments for a similar result.

Exilis is the only monopolar RF (Radiofrequency) system to incorporate ultrasonic energy in one hand piece. Exilis causes both shrinking of loose tissue immediately, as well as long term collagen production that lifts and tightens loose skin over time. It is very useful in many areas such as jowls, neck, brows and especially the abdomen.

The mechanical effect of ultrasound helps create separation of the fat cells clusters, allowing more efficient RF thermal delivery to adipose tissue. Exilis is the only monopolar RF (Radiofrequency) system to incorporate ultrasonic energy in one hand piece.

Dynamic Monopolar Delivery (Exilis Elite):

At Skin & Body Renewal we have the Exilis Elite which uses a monopolar RF that is delivered dynamically in a continuous pulse with constant rotation and movement of the handpiece over a specified area of laxity or fatty adiposity. The problem area can be targeted in a few minutes to reach an optimal temperature. This optimal temperature is then kept for approximately 6 to 8 minutes period of time to maximize results. The surface temperature measurements are continuously monitored due to Energy Flow Control (EFC) technology which uniformly heats tissue at therapeutic skin levels. This ensures that adverse side effects such as burns are eliminated. In addition a measurement tool is built into the Elite handpiece. Dynamic devices such as Exilis are quicker to reach optimal temperature (a few minutes) unlike stamped devices such as Thermage which can take hours.

Here are some of the most common Exilis Elite treatment areas:

On the face, neck & chest:

• Treating the skin of the forehead can lift the eyebrows and enhance the appearance of the eyes, making them look more open, less tired, and more alert.
• Treating the eye area can help improve eye bags and tighten the skin around the eye area, including the top, bottom lid and the crow's feet.
• Jowl Lifting: The cheeks, jowls and the area under the chin can also be treated to tighten and re-texturise skin.
• The neck area can benefit from the treatment as a common area to lose definition over time.
• Treatments can be done on the décolleté

On the Body:

• Abdomen
• Love handles
• Muffin top
• Inner & Outer thighs
• Buttocks & “banana roll” (the fat roll that commonly develops just below the buttocks)
• Back fat & bra bulges
• Batwings
• Moobs

In women, Exilis Elite can also be used for vaginal rejuvenation & tightening.

The medical use of RF is based on an oscillating electrical current that forces collisions between charged molecules and ions, which are then transformed into heat. Water is the main target for this process. As a result, RF heating occurs irrespective of skin type and is dependent on heating of water.

RF-generated tissue heating has different biological and clinical effects, depending on the depth of tissue targeted, the frequency used, and the specific cooling of the dermis and epidermis.

The depth of penetration of RF energy is inversely proportional to the frequency. Consequently, lower frequencies of RF, such as Exilis, are able to penetrate more deeply (up to 2.5 cm) and heat large volumes of subcutaneous adipose tissue, the dreaded resistant fat.

What happens when radiofrequency is applied to the skin?

1. RF- mediated thermal stimulation of the matrix in the skin results in an immediate change in the helical structure of collagen causing a tightening effect.
2. RF thermal stimulation results in a microinflammatory stimulation of fibroblasts, which produces new collagen (neocollagenesis) and new elastin (neoelastogenesis), as well as other substances to enhance dermal structure.
3. RF thermal stimulation of adipose tissue results in a thermal-mediated stimulation of adipocyte metabolism resulting in release of fat from cells, ie fat reduction.
4. RF thermal stimulation also causes apoptosis of fat cells ie permanent fat cell destruction.

The FDA approved the Exilis in 2013. While the primary focus of all of this devices is body contouring and fat reduction, the Exilis also has a skin-tightening component appropriate for the face, neck and body.

The FDA approved the Exilis in 2013. While the primary focus of all of this devices is body contouring and fat reduction, the Exilis also has a skin-tightening component appropriate for the face, neck and body. Exilis is a WINNER of three INTERNATIONAL AWARDS in 2013 for skin-tightening.

1. My Face My Body award for best skin tightening device November 2013. Thousands of NewBeauty Magazine readers and the industry's leading beauty experts.

2. Exilis won the award for Best Skin Tightening Product at The Aesthetic Show in Las Vegas in 2012.

3. IESG award in 2014 for best skincare equipment.

New Beauty editorial team cast their votes in the 2013 New Beauty Awards. In the category of “The Best Skin Tightener” Exilis Elite ranked higher than any other product.

The Exilis has a Revolutionary built in cooling tip and heat sensor monitor which ensures that the optimal heat is delivered as painlessly as possible and as safely as possible. This ensures that the treatment switches off immediately should it be inadvertently lifted during the treatment session. This usually happens when treating uneven and curved surfaces such as the jawline area. The Cooling tip confuses the brain to not recognize pain signals as the epidermis is continually cooled.

No pain medication or anesthesia is needed during the session.

Neck and jowl fat can be treated at the same time as the skin tightening procedure. The fat reducing head is used on the double chin area for fat reduction as well as skin tightening.

For men who have stubborn fat, this treatment aims to do one or both of two things, namely; destroy fat cells or shrink them significantly. It’s important to note that these treatments work best when focussed on stubborn fatty deposits that just will not budge with diet and exercise.

What we are currently recommending is one treatment every two to four weeks with a minimum of four to six treatments, and then we’re waiting approximately three months and, if need be, we do a follow-up treatment. A further 2 to 4 treatments can be done and then a maintenance treatment every 6 months.

Exilis relies on the body’s own regenerative process to stimulate the natural renewal of existing collagen and creation of new collagen. This results in an actual lift of skin overtime – and just “better-fitting” skin.

Many people notice an immediate effect following the treatment, but the ultimate lifting and toning takes place over 2-3 months, as tired collagen is renewed and replaced with new, stronger collagen. And, as collagen-building process continues, further improvements can even appear up to 6 months following a procedure!

"It can be eloquently summed up that in my practice with 45 devices the only device that we required a duplicate to meet demand has been Exilis. Most of our patients (90%) have been thrilled with the results. Not getting this device in your practice would be the worst mistake anyone could make. What more can I say?" Dr. Robert Weiss. Associate Professor of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Hunt Valley.

"Treatment is extremely affordable for most patients, given the results. Overall, my patients and staff alike are excited about the device's technology and the results." Dr. Patricia Wexler, Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine New York City, NY.

"My patients are very happy with the consistent, reproducible results. Fortunately, they are not keeping this a secret and have been sending me new patients, or adding more areas of treatment for themselves." Jeanine B. Downie, MD.

"The Exilis device has been an impresive tool in collagen recontouring in my opinion. I have noted positive changes in the patients I have treated. My patients have tolerated their procedures well and are pleased with the results." Neal B Schultz, MD

"Exilis delivers visible results, with no downtime and no side effects, in a truly predictable fashion. The advanced Peltier Cooling allows for much deeper penetration, without damaging the epidermis. In my opinion, BTL invested in a very wonderful and simple application of cooling. By manipulating the cooling system, you can predictably sculpt the body." Marek Kacki, MD, Visage MedArt, Nashville, TN.

"Our practice focuses primarily on non-surgical therapies and we have found Exilis Elite to be safe for skin of all colors, effective and easy-to-use." David McDaniel, MD, F.A.A.D. Director McDaniel Institute of Anti-Aging Research, Virginia Beach, VA.

"All things considered: cost, efficacy, patient satisfaction, reliability of hardware, Exilis has surpassed my expectations. The vast majority of our patients are happy with their results and will likely do a second and sometimes third area." Marc J. Salzman, MD, FACS, Luisville.

"I am convinced of the safety of the procedure and the reliability of the device after working with it for several months and several hundred treatment sessions. The clinical support and training we received was excellent and personalized and we are thrilled with our decision to offer this treatment option to our patients." John B. Turk, MD, Facial Plastic Surgeon, New York City, NY.

"I have never had any technology in my office that has been as popular. For me, this is RF redefined." Mary Lupo, MD, Dermatologist, New Orleans, LA.

"Most important, the patients are happy with the results and are booking other areas of treatment. They love that there is no downtime and they can return to work, home, or exercise immediately after each procedure." Lori G. Polacek, MD, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

"My experience with skin tightening dates back to the use of IPL with long wave filters and YAG lasers. Since then, we have used a variety of devices to help improve skin elasticity. In the last three or four years, the Exilis and Exilis Elite have been the most popular skin tightening procedures in my practice, with the greatest patient satisfaction." Amir Moradi, MD, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, San Diego, CA.