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Can I use radio frequency skin tightening or cavitation on my abdomen/back/arms if I have a titanium rod in my femur? Or is that too close? I also have screws/pins on hand. I am a 5’4″ 110 lbs. 73 year old in good health with no prescribed medication, do not smoke, rarely drink and can hike 12 miles easily. Question: I have 3 narrow plates (about 1/4″ below my eye socket, diagonally along my cheekbones and nose) and am considering a CO2 laser procedure on my face. Due to the heat aspect of the procedure, is it safe to have this procedure done?
I know it’s really difficult to get advice on these issues. This is partly because cardiologists are wonderful with your heart, but can’t and shouldn’t spend time keeping up with all these different aesthetic devices. And our GPs have to fight an uphill battle with these corporate medicine groups every day to maintain quality. Your board certified dermatologists are your best bet for advice. I have a special interest in this area as I am also a specialist in internal medicine. Every situation is unique, so you really need to ask your dermatologist!
Good general guidelines to think about:
- There are more than three different ways that RF/acoustic waves can be used in these procedures. The main ones are bipolar devices, unipolar and monopolar, but there are others. Put simply, this determines how the current travels through your body or if it just stays in the skin. It’s complicated, so there’s no easy answer.
- The problem may be the heat generated by the device. It is often the glue that cements the implant or hip in place. You can see why you don’t want this to “melt” and deteriorate.
- If no current is flowing through the metal/adhesive and not much heat is generated by the process, the risk is very small. For example, was the implant glued in for the CO2 question above? Ask your plastic surgeon if the CO2 would be safe for you. In general, CO2 would be safe over an implant, but the skin is very thin in that area.
- If the grounding pad is not placed in such a way that the current will flow through the implant in question, no heat will be generated. But please ask your doctors again. Many patients don’t really know exactly what was done or what was used.
- Lasers (light waves) are generally not a problem for devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators. Importantly, any RF/acoustic wave device could be. For this you need to get an okay from your doctor.
Resources for you:
- If you are not getting any answers from the provider performing the procedures I would recommend going and finding a more knowledgeable office.
- Contact the company that manufactures the device. If it’s a medical device company, they should have a medical director who can answer questions like these. Sometimes they send the standard company information, which isn’t always that helpful.
- Contact and ask your surgeon who placed the implant or metal. But important only after you have done your own research and know exactly what device you intend to use.
- Ask any board-certified dermatologist who does cosmetic work, or any plastic surgeon who has a strong laser background and won’t delegate lasers to their nurses without understanding them.
- Medi-spas should have medical directors. Ask the technician to put you in touch with him.
- One of the most useful ways to “research” the internet is to come up with a good list of questions to ask.
Hope that helps!
dr Brandith Irwin, MD
Founder of SkinTour & MadisonMD Skincare
Follow my skin tips and trips on Instagram!