Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Smart Lift™ and Perma Sculpting™?
The Smart Lift™ is a non-invasive, non-surgical facelift and neck lift that removes 7 years off your appearance for 7 years.
Perma Sculpting™ is a non-invasive, non-surgical body sculpting treatment to permanently dissolve unwanted body fat and tighten surrounding skin.
Dermacare’s® Smart Lift™ and Perma Sculpting™ treatments consist of Lipodissolve with ingredients including PCDC: Phophatidylcholine (PC) and Deoxycholate (DC).
Our body’s cells contain 60-70% PC. PC is an amino acid and contributes to the proper metabolism of fat and cell membrane integrity. The plant form of PC is utilized in our protocol and is derived from the soy plant.
Deoxycholate/Deoxycholic Acid is a naturally occurring bile salt and gallic acid. It is found abundantly in the stomach where it breaks down dietary fat. Deoxycholate (aka KYBELLA™) is FDA approved for the treatment of moderate to severe submental fat.
When Lipodissolve is injected into fat, Deoxycholate (aka KYBELLA™) destroys fat cells and Phophatidylcholine assists with the excretion of the destroyed fat cells while protecting the cell membranes from bruising.
PCDC are natural substances. Beyond dissolving fat cells and stimulating collagen production, it nourishes the skin and improves skin texture and tone, “crepiness”, minimizes or eliminates fine lines and wrinkles, and restores the skin for a more youthful appearance.
How exactly does it work?
PCDC mixed by pharmacies in an exact ratio, is injected with an ultrafine needle directly into the fat pad of the subject area. Injections are typically at a depth of 6 mm for the face and 13 mm for the body, and are 1 CM apart (.39 inches) apart for facial areas, and 1.5 CM (.59 inches) for body areas. Cellulite and stretch marks require a different protocol.
The DC chews through fat cell walls collapsing the fat cell, which is then excreted through your elimination system. This is what causes the temporary swelling, which is the sign of an effective treatment.
The PC acts as a buffering agent for DC, and is a nourishing substance which is responsible for the improvement in skin tone quality.
Can this treatment be used in conjunction with neurotoxins and dermal fillers?
Are results permanent? How long do they last?
Fat cell elimination, whether by dissolving or being sucked out, is permanently eliminated and will not return in the area treated. If you do not maintain a healthy lifestyle however, and gain weight, fat cells that were not dissolved or eliminated will expand.
With treated facial areas, the fat cell dissolution is permanent. New collagen growth is substantial. Collagen does breakdown with age and lifestyle, however even the most mature patient will see several years of more youthful looks!
Is the treatment painful?
The ultra-fine micro injections themselves are not painful for the vast majority of patients. A very experienced medical professional administers the injection with a very thin micro needle. “A few slight pinches” is the average comment. We do apply a topical numbing cream prior to the treatment for each patient as each patient’s sensitivity to pain varies.
What are the expected side effects?
Treated areas will swell and typically ache. The apex of swelling and achiness is 24-48 hours and can last 3-5 days. This is the result of fat cells being dissolved and is the hallmark of an effective treatment. The ache has been described on a level of a hard workout, and the swelling is modest. It will appear as if you have had dental work done.
Is it effective?
YES!
- 86-90% Patient Satisfaction
- 1-2% Instance of Minor Side effects
- 0% Major Side Effects
Does The Smart Lift™ and Perma Sculpting™ require exercise, dieting, or lifestyle changes?
No. The procedures work extremely well by itself as a stand-alone treatment. While we encourage a healthy lifestyle of eating well and moderate exercise, these are in no way requirements for highly effective results. However, you need to maintain your lifestyle, and not engage in over eating, etc.
There are some “body sculpting” regimens that require strict diets, exercise etc. When a strict diet and exercise plan ends, the fat and bulges typically come back bigger than ever.
How long has Lipodissolve been used?
It was developed first in Brazil by Dr. Rittes, and shortly thereafter in Bavaria in the late 1990s. Utilized by highly trained medical professionals, it has proven to be highly effective in permanently dissolving fat and stimulating new collagen growth, and tightening and lifting sagging skin.
There is both an international society, “NETWERK-Lipolyse”, formed in Germany 2001, and the “American Society of Aesthetic Lipodissolve” (ASAL) was formed in 2004. Since then, several hundred physicians in the United States have treated thousands of patients. These societies developed standardized PCDC formulations and treatment protocols. It’s effectiveness and remarkable safety record are unmatched by any other face or body sculpting technology, procedure, invasive or non-invasive.
Who is not a candidate for these treatments?
Since the dissolved fat is excreted through your elimination system, your kidneys and liver must be in good working order. The same goes for your autoimmune system; a system compromised by active cancer, HIV/AIDS, and Lupus cannot be treated.
Under 18, pregnant, or breastfeeding also contraindicated. The PCDC formulation is in a soy-based solution, so those with an allergy to soy are not candidates for treatment. A FREE Consultation is available to you to determine if you are a good candidate for treatment.