Beautiful. Medicine.

LAVIV™ is the first and only FDA-approved autologous cellular therapy to improve the appearance of moderate to severe nasolabial fold wrinkles.LAVIV™ is an autologous cellular product containing fibroblast cells, which are grown from a patient’s post-auricular skin biopsy tissue. These skin samples are sent to a lab where they are aseptically expanded until sufficient cells for treatment are obtained. Cells are then cryopreserved. Over a period of approximately 90 days, hundreds of millions of fibroblasts are cultured at the lab and then frozen, until needed for treatment. Once patient administration has been scheduled, these cells are thawed, washed, and ready to be injected. LAVIV™—which is made up of at least 98% pure fibroblasts—places a patient’s own living cells into the treatment area to biologically improve the appearance of nasolabial fold wrinkles.

What makes LAVIV™ unique?

Each patient’s LAVIV™ treatment is unique because it is made from that patient’s own skin cells. In order to be approved by the FDA, LAVIV™ was held to high efficacy standards. In clinical trials, LAVIV™ demonstrated a statistically significant improvement as measured by both a physician and patient assessment scale, where improvement was defined as a 2-point improvement on the scales. These trials were designed to be vehicle-controlled and demonstrate superiority to vehicle. Each dose of LAVIV™ is also held to strict testing standards to ensure product performance and safety.

LAVIV™  is an appropriate treatment for adults who desire an improved appearance of nasolabial fold wrinkles, an autologous cellular product, and a treatment regimen that delivers gradual results.

Our genes are what make each of us different. And, the timing of and the degree to which we each experience our first signs of aging is unique to each of us. Just consider how some people seem to age rapidly while others continue to look youthful as they age. If what the geneticists are saying is true, we may have wasted money on beauty products that might actually be doing us more harm than good. According to the new findings, if the creams we are using on our face are not suited to our genetic requirements, we are unable to metabolize the ingredients and they are left to build up as unwanted toxins in our skin. The treatment is being hailed as the biggest anti-aging advancement since Botox, so how does it all work?

HOW IT WORKS:

First, through a simple cheek swab, a DNA test is performed on six genes that impact YOUR skin’s health. Your unique results are used to create four custom-formulated, genetically-guided Dermagenetics® DNA ULTRACUSTOM® skin care products based on your specific genetic variations: Enhanced Repair Serum, Corrective Eye Gelée, Optimized Day Crème and Nightly Repair Crème.

Each of these age-defying skin repair products combine our powerful base formulas and our proprietary Dermagenetics® blend with targeted ingredients based on the results of your unique genetic assessment. This becomes your custom formula and will always remain the same.

The second step in the customization process is performed by your provider at The Miami Institute. They will assess your skin for current problems you may be experiencing today such as: post procedure healing, troublesome break-outs, redness and irritation or excessive dryness. This assessment is used to further customize and optimize selected products to address these issues. This part of your Dermagenetics® formula can be adjusted for you every 3 – 4 months by returning to your provider for follow up visits.

The result is a DNA ULTRACUSTOM® skin care system that is made just for you!

The new Thermage CPT System represents a leap forward in skin tightening and contouring technology. Superior results and greater patient comfort are at the core of the new system, which leverages the proprietary Comfort Pulse Technology™ and a vibrating hand piece for more comfortable treatments.

The new CPT technology helps lessen discomfort in 5 ways.

• Improved efficacy due to more uniform heating and increased volume of tissue reaching therapeutic temperature. Edge Heat Border - Since there is less spillage, the “edge heat” that patient’s most complain about is reduced dramatically. The heat is now concentrated directly into the tissue being treated. Higher heat allows for more collagen denaturing.
• Comfort Pulse Technology, including a vibrating hand piece, to deliver enhanced patient comfort. This hand piece offers a clinically proven improvement in patient comfort. In controlled, split-faced clinical studies, comparing treatment of over 40 patients with vibration to treatment without vibration, all patients preferred being treated with vibration.
• A sleek, ergonomically designed hand piece improves ease-of-use and treatment efficiency.
• Seamless integration with the new Thermage Body Tip 16.0 for faster body treatments.
• Coolant/Heat Rotation - Less wasted heat (less “spillage” of heat). The new energy delivery algorithm interweaves a pulsed radio frequency delivery with cooling bursts, mimicking Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (”TENS”) therapy, to disrupt the brain’s neural response and improve comfort during treatment.

The ability to perform a quality Thermage procedure without the use of medications is a great help to our practice and patients.

“Lunch Hour Facelifts” are becoming increasingly popular.  A combination of Thermage and IPL Photo Facials, another “non-surgical face lift, offers great results. Thermage is increasingly popular, mainly because it’s so different. IPL is a light-based treatment, whereas Thermage uses radio frequency. Thermage’ debut has definitely made the skincare world abuzz with the results showing a tighter face and an increase collagen production. Unlike IPL, which uses light energy, Thermage uses radio frequencies to accomplish this.  Thermage is FDA approved for skin tightening which adds to its allure.

These treatments also work best on younger skin, those of you in your 30’s or 40’s.

Facial rejuvenation and non-invasive procedures

For the last several years, the emerging trend in cosmetic surgery has been moving away from surgery and toward non-invasive procedures.

What is the difference between Lasers and Light-based therapies (IPL)

What we call (IPL) Intense Pulse Light or Photo Rejuvenation or Photo Facial—they are all light based therapy. They are not laser therapies per se. The difference between the Laser and the IPL is the spectrum of the light. Lasers are usually one wave length and they are more precise.  Lasers have more narrow “indications” than any type of (IPL) Intense Pulse Light or Photo Rejuvenation or Photo Facial light therapy.  (IPL) Intense Pulse Light or Photo Rejuvenation or Photo Facial has a broad spectrum of light that can successfully treat Rosacea, spider veins, sun spots or hyperpigmentation and fine wrinkles at the same time while it tightens the skin.

Lasers such as the Vascular Laser and lasers that can do skin resurfacing are very specialized and can only perform the function for which they were intended. Some lasers are strictly vascular and only treat spider veins.  This can be a much more effective treatment than light based therapies. Lasers that do skin resurfacing (CO2 Lasers and Erbium: YAG  Lasers) were created to do skin resurfacing—to remove the upper layer of the skin epidermis and part of the dermis, which, in this process, also removes sunspots and small to moderate wrinkles. Laser resurfacing will stimulate the creation of new skin or new epidermis.

For the last several years, the emerging trend in cosmetic surgery has been moving away from surgery and toward non-invasive procedures.  A majority of patients can no longer afford the downtime associated with surgery. Another factor in this emerging trend has to do with the great leap technology has made in producing better quality products and procedures that can help patients achieve facial rejuvenation with better results, less discomfort, less downtime and even less cost.

Mid to Deep level TCA peels are used to improve fine wrinkles and scars and diminish blemishes, discolorations, blotches and pigmentation abnormalities.

A TCA peel removes the outer 2 layers of skin (epidermis) and therefore decreases the depth of wrinkles and fine lines; also improves discolorations and age spots. TCA Peels can be used on hands, neck and most other areas of the body.  May require pre-treatment with Retin-A or AHA creams. After your TCA peel, you skin is lighter, tighter, smoother and more evenly textured. Repeat treatments may be needed to maintain results. Sunblock must be used for several months.

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) Uses:

• Improves fine surface wrinkles
• Lessens superficial blemishes
• Helps blend pigmentation problems

Your MIAMI Institute TCA Peel

Typically, your skin is first thoroughly cleansed. Then the TCA solution will be carefully applied to your skin. You may feel a stinging sensation with lower level peel strengths as the peel solution is applied, but this feeling will quickly pass. The more concentrated levels will cause a burning sensation that stops in about 3 to 4 minutes. A full-face TCA peel usually takes no more than 15 minutes. Two or more TCA peels may be needed to obtain the desired result, and those may be spaced out over several months. Mild TCA peels may be repeated as often as every month.