Q: I have moderate sun damage mostly along my jaw-line, and some acne scarring.
I am 53 and have been advised by a physician at Dermacare to have a combo Cutera Pearl/Titan at the same visit.
I know the results may vary, but could you give me an idea of the outcome of one combo treatment? I really cannot afford more than one treatment at this time.
The fee for this is $2225.Is this a fair price?
How long will this treatment last if I wear sunscreen or will the old spots come back?
Do you know of any negative results from this these treatments, since they are fairly new? Thank You
Dr. Berger: Dear Julie, I prefer Pearls and Titans at separate occasions. Both procedures heat the skin and why risk being burned?
Also, is the MD actually doing the Pearl, or a technician? Be careful.
The outcome, unfortunately, would be impossible for me to predict. I haven’t seen the extent of the spotting and scarring. But the combination is excellent, in the right hands.
From the problem you described, I think 2 Pearls would serve you better… but again, I haven’t seen you.
As for the price, there is no “correct” price. In my office a single Pearl + Lower Face Titan is about $2,000, so your doctor is pretty right on.
Q: I have jowls and a little double chin. What is the best option to take care of these? Thanks.
Dr. Berger: Well, Barbara, I recommend CUTERA's Titan laser… three initial treatments from the submandibular area (under the chin) and the lower face, followed by a yearly touchup Titan. Start early, since the worse it gets before treatment, the harder it is to reverse.
Q: What does this involve and what are the costs? I have facial lines and skin sagging but think it is too early to do a face lift but have looked into the mini face lift. What are your thoughts on this? I am 43 years old and have indulged in the sun too much in my life. Thank you.
Dr. Berger: Ahhh, Shannon… too much sun.
That’s the mantra of an entire generation of us who were brainwashed to think being tan is cool.
It’s as sad as thinking smoking is cool.
First of all, STOP sunning or whatever we do for you will just return.
Get a good Neova 45 sunscreen and use it EVERY day.
I recommend a combination approach to your problem.
1) 2 Titan Treatments to stimulate collagen and,
2) 2 Pearl treatments to further tighten and also resurface your face. This will remove a substantial amount of existing damage and give your skin a fighting chance. Cost of all four procedures, as a package, should range from $5,000.
A face lift will start at $20,000 by the right surgeon, and you’re not ready for that procedure, anyway.
Q: I'm interested in the titan skin tightening system. Can it be used on your upper eye lids? I have hooded lids and I like the way I look, but to avoid surgery, I was wondering if this is an option… also for my whole face. Could injectibles be used to fill out the upper lids? Thanks for your time. Joan Warriner
Dr. Berger: Great question! Thanks, Sonya.
TT is a eubacterium. That means it's a bacteria, not a mold, and that it has thick, rigid cell walls (rather than flexible) and a flagella (tail) so it can move.
There's a lot of research going on about TT… it was isolated in a deep, hot water ocean vent off Japan, and prefers to live in VERY hot (65ºC, 150ºF) environments. It also can exist in hot water heaters.
To the best of my knowledge, and all the scientific data I could find, it currently has no human application except to separate you from your money.
Q: Dr. Berger,
I would like to have Juvaderm put in my upper lip for more fullness. I was wondering if there is any harm in having this procedure done while breastfeeding? If it's a naturally occurring substance in the body what is the harm?
Dr. Berger: Sarah, congrats on the new baby!
Juvaderm is just Hyaluronic acid… it’s the same across every mammalian species. In fact, they could put HA from my schnauzer puppy into me and I’d be fine.
No problem recorded with this product as far as I know.
If your post baby tummy loses the weight, but not the loose skin, consider abdominal Titans… they really are wonderful.
Q: After hip surgery and then physical therapy, I ended up with stretch marks on my upper thighs. What might help hide these marks or make them go away?
Dr. Berger: Dear Julie,
There are about a million creams that purport to fix stretch marks… and none of them work.
I have had some success with the Titan Laser combined with Genesis to re-align collagen. If you're in the New York area, give my office a call.
Q: Hi Dr.Berger,
I have a couple of heredity vertical lines going across my neck area (my face is pretty much wrinkle free, even at 49) Is there any anti-aging glycolic treatment you can recommend for me to use at home on this? (I would not be interested in trying BOTOX® or anything harsher.)
Thank you for any info.
Dr. Berger: Dear Beth,
A combination of Vibraderm™ Microdermabrasion and laser genesis might help. It sounds, however, like the lines are pretty deep.
BOTOX® is NOT indicated in this area, so don't worry.
Get a good evaluation by a cosmetic dermatologist and think "Titan™".
Q: Has there been any evidence whatsoever that the
Titan can cause facial wasting or fat loss? The internet is full of horror stories. Thank you.
Dr. Berger: Dear Becky,
I have done hundreds of Titan treatments, without a single burn or problem.
Certainly, in the wrong hands, lasers are dangerous. Too many offices have semi-trained laser techs performing the procedures and a physician who "oversees" the process.
In some states (New Jersey, for example) only the MD can use the lasers.
Find a physician who does his own work and don't take chances with your face… but Titans are safe AND effective in most cases.
Q: I recently started using StriVectin-HS and faithfully apply it twice daily. On average, when should I begin to see some results in the lessening of deep wrinkles?
Instructions say to continue twice daily use until results are reached and then maintain by applying 3 times weekly. I understand that every person is different. I'm looking for an average amount of time to where I should begin seeing results. Thank you.
Dr. Berger: Dear Deb,
There is no average as it may not work on deep wrinkles at all. I've never been particularly impressed, but that's just one man's opinion.
Are you seeing any results? How long is "recently"?
Give it a month and if you're not impressed, consider a Titan series.
Note: Advice and information presented on this website is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute or replace professional advice for individual or specific conditions.
