Exilis Elite Vs Vanquish
Vanquish
WHAT IS IT?
BTL Vanquish (ME) is a non-invasive fat-removal treatment which uses a form of energy called radiofrequency. This treatment is ideal in targeting areas such as the:
- abdomen
- love handles
- saddlebags
- inner/outer thighs.
BTL Vanquish treatment has the largest treatment spot size in the industry and calculates the settings required automatically, based on the patient’s fat.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The BTL device’s multipolar radiofrequency travels through hydrated tissue easily; however, the energy cannot travel through a poorly conducted layer (such as fat cells) which causes the tissue to heat up. As only the fat cells are targeted, there is no damage to surrounding tissue, blood vessels or nerve endings, therefore there is no downtime, no swelling, no pain or bruising. Simplified operator protocols ensure that results are consistent and deliverable. This is a walk in, walk out treatment that is pleasant to have.
We usually recommend a course of 4 treatments; however, everyone is different and some people may need an extra one or two treatments to get optimal results. During your consultation, your doctor will assess your and body concerns and discuss realistic results. From this you will have a recommended course length.
Results start to show 7-10 days after the first treatment, however generally people start to notice after their second treatment. Even after your final treatment, you may find your body is still changing up to a month after that last treatment.
Following a course of Vanquish you will find that your results are permanent as once we kill the fat cells, they cannot return. However, whether you see an increase in the remaining fat cells in your body is dependent on your lifestyle and other factors such as diet, how much you drink and whether you exercise or not. You may have removed the fat cells from your problem area, however you still have millions of fat cells remaining which are still susceptible to expansion.
SUITABLE FOR?
Anyone aged 18 upwards can have this treatment. It is suitable for anyone who wants permanent fat destruction without surgery. This treatment is also very appealing as it is fit for all skin types and colours; even tanned skin (fake or natural) can safely have this treatment. The ideal patient has mild to moderate adipose tissue to treat and is around 20 pounds of their ideal weight. There are some people who aren’t suitable for Vanquish due to certain health reasons. Your doctor will be able to discuss this with you in more detail.
RISK?
Vanquish involves little to no risk and is very safe. The treatment should not hurt at all with no anaesthetic being required. It is FDA cleared for deep tissue heating, circumference reduction & adipose tissue and has many clinical studies carried out by scientists and doctors to prove its safety and efficacy. There are also many clinics across the Globe who successfully use Vanquish on their patients and get fantastic results. Your doctor will have a certificate for practice, showing they have completed full training and are able to treat patients safely.
Exilis Elite
WHAT IS IT?
Exilis elite is a new technology that uses radio frequency energy to tighten skin while reducing fat and signs of fine lines and wrinkles. It is a non-surgical procedure that stimulates the breakdown of fat cells and collagen remodeling (for skin tightening).
Exilis Elite is commonly used on the following areas:
- Stomach (including muffin tops and love handles).
- Outer and inner thighs.
- Buttoks
- Jaw line and jowls.
- Neck
- Around the eyes.
- Inner and outer arms (including bingo wings).
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Exilis Elite uses a combination of radio frequency energy, ultrasound and skin cooling in order to deliver controlled heating to target deep tissue.
The applicator uses focused thermal (heat energy) to disrupt the collagen fibres deep within the skin. The aim is to raise the temperature at the skin surface to 40-42 degrees for five minutes in each area to achieve collagen tightening. This is because collagen has a tripe helix structure which begins to unravel when heated. Over time, the healing process encourages the production of new collagen fibres, smoothing the skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The new collagen helps to tighten loose of slightly sagging skin, giving an overall more youthful appearance, and the collagen network is strengthened and stimulated improving skin texture.
SUITABLE FOR?
As long as you are generally healthy and don’t have any serious health concerns (e.g., liver, kidney or heart disease, cancer etc.), skin diseases or active infections in the area proposed for treatment, there are few medical reasons why you should not undergo this treatment. If you have a history of cold sores, you may need to take medication before treatment can be done.
If you have a pacemaker or any other implanted metal (e.g., hip joints) or electronic device (e.g., internal defibrillator) then you will not be suitable for the Exilis treatment due to the delivery of radiofrequency energy to the body which could heat up these items. If you are planning a treatment to the facial area then metal dental braces may be a contra-indication for treatment due to the path of the radiofrequency from the treatment site to the grounding pad.
This treatment is not advised for pregnant or breast-feeding women.
If you have had ablative laser skin resurfacing or a deep chemical peel in the area to be treated in the last 3 months then you will be advised to wait before commencing an Exilis Elite treatment. If you have been treated with Accutane in the last 12 months you will also be advised on a delay before you start your Exilis programme.
RISK?
Risks and side effects are generally minimal.
The applicator has a built in thermometer so there is no risk of overheating. The function called ‘layered advanced cooling’ allows the practitioner to precisely control the heat and level at which the energy is delivered determining whether the superficial skin layer or deeper tissue is targeted. As the settings on the device must be attuned to the area of the skin that is being treated. you it is vital that you get the procedure done with a qualified medical practitioner to avoid any mistakes. For example, if you are treating areas around the eyes and your doctor uses Exilis settings meant for the abdomen, this could potentially cause skin damage because too much energy will be delivered to the treatment site.
You may notice some pinkness or redness to the skin immediately following the treatment but this typically subsides within 15-30 minutes. Skin may be slightly tender to the touch for a little time afterwards, but this is not always the case. If you are experiencing any sensitivity it can be treated with over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain-killer medication.
Very rare risks reported include numbness, swelling (oedema), blistering, scarring, allergic reactions and nausea.
Comparison
| Exilis Elite | Vanquish | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Depends on the area being treated however treatments can start from approximately £300 per session. | Depends on the area being treated however treatments can start from approximately £250 per session. |
| Results | Visable results can generally be seen after one treatment, with more prominent results seen 2-3 months following treatment. The longevity of the results will depend on your genetic predisposition to ageing and your lifestyle; you may need top-up treatments to maintain the results.  | Many patients have reported seeing improvements in as little as 3 weeks. However, this of course varies from patient to patient Providing that you do not put on any weight, the fat reduction achieved through Vanquish can be long term.  |
| Pain | The Layered advanced cooling function means that the treatment is comfortable at the surface of the skin. During the treatment your skin may feel slightly warm however there will be no pain or bruising. | As the heat is only targeting the fat cells, it does not damage any surrounding tissue. This makes it a pain-free experience for most patients. Many people liken the sensation to being under an electric blanket. However, some people have noted a little bit of tenderness the next day. |
| Downtime | There is no downtime with this procedure. There may be temporary pinkness or redness in the skin for about 20-30 minutes that quickly subsides. Since there is no downtime or special care required once you leave the office, you can carry on with the rest of your day’s activities immediately following treatment. It is recommended that you partake is some sort of light exercise for 30-40 minutes following treatment in order to maximize results if the body is being treated for fat removal. | After a Vanquish treatment you may see some reddening of the skin, which should dissipate rapidly and your treatment area will feel warm. Some people find some heat remains for up to a couple of hours after treatment but it is barely noticeable. This is a walk in, walk out treatment. |
| Pre-treatment care | It is important that you are very well hydrated before, during and after your Exilis treatment to achieve maximum results. | It is important that you are very well hydrated before, during and after your Vanquish treatment to achieve maximum results. |
Both Vanquish ME and Exilis are terrific devices made by BTL. There is some overlap between them; they both use a form of energy called radiofrequency and both require multiple treatments for optimal results. To achieve the best results for burning fat and tightening areas of the skin, we would recommend using Vanquish ME and Exilis Elite as a combined treatment.
