MedEsthetics—business education for medical practitioners—provides the latest noninvasive cosmetic procedures, treatment trends, product and equipment reviews, legal issues and medical aesthetics industry news.
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Choosi evice Both laser and RF devices induce collagen regrowth, so selecting the right device for your practice is often a matter of comfort for the provider. Dr. Alinsod suggests that doc- tors who own laser centers—and are primarily "laser people"—may benefi t from starting with a CO 2 or erbium laser system, because that is already the core of their practices. A gynecologist who does not have a lot of experience with lasers, on the other hand, may feel more comfortable using an RF-based device because it's very similar to doing a vaginal ultrasound. "Each doctor has to see what they are comfortable with," says Dr. Alinsod, noting that once a provider masters RF, it's an easy step to advance to using laser-based devices. "Once you learn the laser- based system, there is less manual work because you use small movements and don't have to move back and forth so much—it's actually fairly simple. Conversely, RF allows more variability, so you can tailor the treatments." Laser treatments typically require two to three sessions spaced anywhere from two to eight weeks apart and do re- quire the patient to abstain from sex for up to a week follow- ing treatment; RF procedures require two to six treatments spaced one to six weeks apart with minimal downtime. Dr. Hamori uses the ThermiVa RF platform in her practice. "It was one of the fi rst devices available on the market; it offers both external and internal vulvar treatments and was shown to have high patient satisfaction rates," she says. She uses the device to address labia majora skin laxity, vaginal dry- ness, urinary incontinence and decreased sexual satisfaction. Dr. Goodman employs the Ellman Surgitron Radiofre- quency Generator, which he calls a "wondrous device for very intricate cutting in the vagina and the labia." He can also de-focus the RF waves to shrink tissue in the same manner as the ThermiVa. Additionally, Dr. Goodman uses Ellman Pelleve RF treat- ments to tighten skin on the vulva and the Ellman pixelated fractional CO 2 laser platform to treat the vagina, the perine- um and vulvar skin. "I also use PRP, known as the 'O-Shot.' It is injected into the G-spot and the clitoris for increased sexual satisfaction," he says. Promoti rvices The fi rst step in providing vaginal treatment options is getting a sense of whether or not your patients are seeking these services. Talking to patients and conducting surveys can help you gauge their interest level. Some of the most effective in-house marketing options for promoting noninvasive vaginal rejuvenation procedures include signage and seminars, such as open houses or video loops played in the reception room. Dr. Goodman attracts new patients via online market- ing. "I fi nd that RealSelf.com is a good platform to help patients, answer questions and get exposure in many dif- ferent markets," he says. Online specialist directories, such as LabiaplastySurgeon.com, are also effective for helping patients fi nd doctors in their areas. Dr. Alinsod fi rst markets to current patients, then adds second-tier internet marketing on his own and other web- sites. "I run a program that's confi ned to teaching surgical 32 MAY/JUNE 2017 | Med Esthetics ENERGY-BASED OPTIONS Noninvasive, energy-based treatments have allowed more women to pursue vaginal rejuvenation for both medical and aesthetic concerns. Following are some of the devices currently available in the U.S. LASER-BASED DEVICES FEMILIFT (CO 2 ) Alma Lasers • almalasers.com INTIMALASE (Er:YAG) Fotona • fotona.com MONALISA TOUCH (CO 2 ) Cynosure • cynosure.com PHOENIX (CO 2 ) Rohrer Aesthetics • rohreraesthetics.com V-LASE (CO 2 ) Lasering USA • laseringusa.com RF-BASED DEVICES PELLEVE Ellman International • ellman.com PROTEGE INTIMA BTL Aesthetics • btlaesthetics.com REVIVE Viora • vioramed.com THERMIVA ThermiAesthetics • thermi.com VENUS FIORE Venus Concept • venusconcept.com VIVEVE SYSTEM Viveve Medical • viveve.com © GETTY IMAGES A DELICATE SUBJECT