We did our first 5 cases this week using the Zeltiq. It is a very simple system to use and almost to the point of being idiot proof. Our patients were happy with it and I had no complaints of pain from them. They do tell me it is a strange sensation and at its worst a cold pinching feeling. No one rated the discomfort higher than a 2/10 for pain and that was only during the initial phase when the skin was cooling and the skin was going numb.
I have talked to one of the patients and she was 3 days post treatment. She stated that the area felt like "pins and needles". It was not keeping her from any of her normal activities but was a little irritation to her during the day, She has been able to sleep fine and has not used any pain medications for it.
The jury is still out to see how it actually performs. It will take at least 1 month to start seeing results and up to 4 months to have the final outcome. So far the only thing I can say is that my patients are happy with it so far and are excited to see it work but we must be patient and give the process time.
Lornell E. Hansen II, M.D.
Owner / Medical Director
LazaDerm Skincare Centres
Sioux Falls and Sioux City
A recent study called the "Skin Health Study" was released that showed a 4 fold increase in malignant melanoma for users of UVA tanning beds. The study was started in 2004 by DeAnn Lazovich Ph.D. and her colleagues at the University of Minnesota.
The study was completed in Minnesota and used 1,167 cases of melanoma and 1,101 controls. The melanoma cases were betweent he ages of 25 to 29 years of age and had been diagnosed with melanoma between July 2004 and December 2007. the controls were selected from the Minnesota states drivers license list.
All of the participants completed a questionnaire and then a 1 hour phone interview. What they found was that there was a significant increase in the risk of melanoma with increased indoor tanning. The final results showed that users of the high speed UVB tanning beds were 2.9 times more likely and the high pressure UVA besd were 4.4 times more likely to develop melanoma.
So as you can see our continued recommendation is to ABSOLUTELY avoid the use of indoor tanning beds. They have shown that the use of tanning beds is significantly worse that the sun exposure alone. Not only are the tanning beds and tanning aging you but they significantly increase your risk of death from cancer. We also recommend wearing a good sunblock daily and reapply every 2 hours if you are out in the direct sun.
Lornell E. Hansen II, M.D.
Owner/Medical Director
LazaDerm Skin Care Centre
Sioux Falls and Sioux City
The initial concept of Zeltiq Coolsculpting came about from something sometimes called “popsicle panniculitis”. This happens when a child develops loss of fat in their cheeks after exposure to the cold from a popsicle. Dr. Rox Anderson and Dr. Dieter Manstein took the initial concept and positive findings using an animal model. They learned that prolonged cooling of the skin can cause the loss of subcutaneous fat.
Dr. Brian Zelickson from the University of Minnesota then confirmed the initial works by using a pig model for the research. The study showed the loss of 1cm of fat without damage to the overlying skin with one treatment. Studies then advanced to human participants conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Dover and Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi. They were able to complete a study with 28 participants over the age of 18. 27 of the 28 patients had a visible benefit. They averaged a 22.4% fat reduction in the treated area measured by ultrasound.
I have talked to one of the above physicians and they have continued to use the Zeltiq. The staff also continue to have positive reviews. I have looked but have been unable to find negative studies as well as I have talked to staff from over 20 clinics and all of them have had positive reviews and all of the physicians stated they would purchase the Zeltiq again.
The most important thing with the Zeltiq is patient selection. Zeltiq is not a treatment for obesity but can be used on patients close to their ideal weight that have focal areas of fat they would like to remove. The fat cells will be removed permanently. The patient must also have patience as it will take 2 to 4 months to see the fat reduction.
I now have added the Zeltiq to both the Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Sioux City, Iowa / Dakota Dunes LazaDerm clinics. We are the only clinics in the region to offer this new non-invasive technology.