truSculpt iD Treatment from U.S. Dermatology Partners

What is truSculpt iD?

truSculpt iD is a state-of-the-art, FDA-cleared system that permanently reduces fat. At U.S. Dermatology Partners, we are proud to offer a transformative system by Cutera, an industry leader in aesthetic lasers and energy-based devices for the face and body. Unlike other technologies designed to reduce fat, truSculpt iD provides a non-invasive, comfortable treatment that is uniquely customizable and highly effective and efficient in permanently removing fat. A welcome benefit is that it also has the potential to induce skin tightening simultaneously. The truSculpt iD system is a great option for both men and women of any shape or body size.  The revolutionary technology and thoughtful design allow efficient reduction of surface fat in targeted areas, such as the upper arms, back, flank, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, calves, as well as under the chin (submentum).

How Does it Work?

The truSculpt iD system delivers monopolar radiofrequency energy non-invasively to specific areas, removing unwanted surface fat (located above the muscle).  There is no anesthesia needed and little to no “downtime.” The precise temperature delivery and monitoring allow it to target fat cells optimally while maintaining a cooler skin temperature. As a result, treatments are both more comfortable and effective than other devices that use heat energy. In clinical studies, patients showed an average of 24% fat reduction after a single truSculpt iD session (in contrast to most other systems, which involve a series of treatments to achieve up to the same level of fat reduction). The fat cells removed by truSculpt iD are gone permanently (in a process called lipolysis).

Who is a Good Candidate for truSculpt iD?

Providing one of the most versatile systems, truSculpt iD can help you improve your shape and remove unwanted surface fat deposits regardless of your fitness level. Whether your fat is loose (can be “pinched”) or is located more tightly onto underlying muscle, whether you have surface fat that is 1 cm or 3 cm or more in thickness, or whether or not you have an active or sedentary lifestyle, truSculpt iD may be a terrific option. Depending on how close you are to your goal will determine whether one session is sufficient or if 2 or more treatments are needed. truSculpt iD can be used on all skin types and over skin with tattoos.

Because it delivers radiofrequency energy, truSculpt iD cannot be used in patients who have a pacemaker, cardioverter or defibrillator (AICD), electronic implants (e.g. cochlear or retinal implants, electrical stimulation devices, insulin pumps, etc.), time-released medical implant devices. If you have metal in your body, its location will determine which areas can be treated (for instance, a person with a hip transplant can treat the abdomen but not the thighs). truSculpt iD is not to be used during pregnancy or lactation (breast-feeding).

How is truSculpt iD Treatment Performed?

Before we recommend any treatment, we will schedule a consultation appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists to discuss your options. If truSculpt iD is the right solution for you, we’ll provide a plan tailored to your aesthetic goals. By combining knowledge of anatomy with aesthetics, our physicians can customize your treatment to “sculpt” your shape.

Depending on the location and amount of unwanted fat, your physician can choose from three different treatment approaches or can combine these in sequence at your appointment. The unique truSculpt iD system can treat up to six 40-cm2 areas in a single 15-minute session. In addition, the large hand-held device can shape challenging contours, and the smaller, focused hand piece can treat under the chin and other smaller pockets of unwanted fat.

During the treatment, one or two pads will be applied to the upper back. When multiple areas are treated simultaneously, pads that warm the body are applied to the skin surface and wrapped to keep them in place during treatment. Whether you undergo treatment with this latest method or with a hand-held device, the temperature can be adjusted to your comfort level. Most people liken it to a hot stone massage. The goal is to achieve targeted heating to reduce fat and potentially tighten the skin without pain.

Most patients achieve about 24% fat reduction within three months of their first session. After treatment, the body naturally processes the fat cells away over the course of 12 weeks, continuously and gradually improving the patient’s appearance. Treatments with the smaller hand piece (e.g. under the chin) typically need two to three sessions (rarely more, depending on patient goals).

How Long Does truSculpt iD Treatment Take?

Depending on the location and number of treatment areas, your truSculpt iD session will take between 25 minutes to an hour or longer. Twelve or more areas could be treated in a single session.

Are There any Side Effects to truSculpt iD Treatment?

Most patients return to their regular daily activities immediately after treatment without any downtime. Often the treated areas are pink for an hour or so (could persist until the next day); in some patients, the skin may feel slightly swollen or tender like a sunburn. The skin sensitivity may last a few days before resolving. (Of note, some of this inflammation contributes to tissue tightening and fat reduction.) Occasionally, a tender nodule may develop in the area of treatment in 1 to 3 days; it resolves spontaneously over weeks, and gentle massage can speed this process.

How Soon Will I See Results?

You may start to see results as soon as one to two weeks after treatment, but maximum results are visible after 8 to 12 weeks due to permanent removal of fat.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

For the majority of treatment sites, patients will reduce their surface fat by 24% after a single treatment. Depending on how close the patients are to their goal, 1 to 2 sessions 2 to 3 months apart may be optimal. Rarely, a third session is performed in the same treatment area. The small hand piece (e.g. for the area under the chin) requires 2 to 4 sessions, which can be spaced 6 weeks apart or longer.

How Long Will Results Last?

The fat cells removed by truSculpt iD treatment are eliminated permanently. As long as you avoid weight gain as fat, you should enjoy long-term benefits of the treatment.

truSculpt iD Before and After Photos

*Results may vary by individual

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