Pearl Fractional 2790nm YSGG Fractional Laser

Wednesday, April 21, 2010 by Renee Lierly, RN

Pearl Fractional Infrared, Laser based technology.

In Vivo Histological Evaluation of a Novel YSGG Ablative
Fractional Device for Cutaneous Remodeling
Walfre Franco, PhD, Brian D. Zelickson, MD, Victor E. Ross, MD

Fractional photothermolysis induces an array of microscopic zones of ablative and thermal injury in the skin, leaving intervening areas of normal skin unaffected, which rapidly repopulate the ablative zones of tissue. 

Pearl Fractional Roundtable

Brian S. Biesman, MD, Barry DiBernardo, MD, FACS and E. Victor Ross, MD hosted an interactive roundtable discussion about their individual experiences using Cutera's new and exclusive 2790nm Pearl Fractional laser. Pearl Fractional has been cleared for skin resurfacing and has been shown to be particularly effective in treating signs of significant photoaging in the periorbital and perioral areas.

Facial Analysis for Skin Resurfacing

Friday, April 16, 2010 by Renee Lierly, RN
Facial Analysis for Skin Resurfacing

Infrared technology may be used in an advanced skin care treatment plan for facial resurfacing. It is important to do a thorough skin analysis complete with skin typing prior to using Laser based technology to treat epidermal and dermal issues.

Demystifying Clinical Photography

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 by Renee Lierly, RN

Photography is a very important step in the skin care treatment plan. Skin tightening may be very subtle with results best visualized in before and after photos. It may take several treatments to reduce a large amount of facial veins. Treatment progression can be appreciated with serial photos.

Demystifying Clinical Photography

Introducing Pearl Fusion: Optimizing Ablative Results

Monday, April 12, 2010 by Renee Lierly, RN

Pearl and Pearl Fractional are infrared, Laser based technology used for skin resurfacing. This advanced skin care treatment plan is used to treat the entire epidermis and deep dermal defects.

Introducing Pearl Fusion: Optimizing Ablative Results

Advanced Facial Sculpting: Beyond Filling Lines

Saturday, March 27, 2010 by Renee Lierly, RN

Advanced Facial Sculpting: Beyond Filling Lines

Advanced skin care treatment often includes Laser based technology for skin tightening, pigmented lesions and Laser vein treatment. Dermal fillers are often part of the skin care treatment plan to to sculpt the face and hands.

Creating an Office ‘Oasis’: Part 2

Thursday, March 25, 2010 by Renee Lierly, RN

Creating an Office ‘Oasis’ part 2


Laser based technology is found more and more in traditional medical offices. The addition of chemical peels, Laser hair removal and skin tightening treatments have changed the medical office environment.

Creating an Office ‘Oasis’ Part 1

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 by Renee Lierly, RN

Creating an Office ‘Oasis’

Offices that treat pigmented lesions, provide Laser hair reduction or leg vein treatment have a different environment that traditional medical offices. Customers come in for skin care treatment but also look forward to the relaxing atmosphere. Turn your medical office into an "Oasis" for skin tightening, laser hair removal and vascular treatments.

Developing a Web Site for Your Practice

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 by Renee Lierly, RN

Developing a Web Site for Your Practice


Today's aesthetic customer are "shopping" for providers on the internet. It is important to have a "user friendly" website to introduce your clients to treatments for pigmented lesions, skin tightening, Laser hair reduction, facial and leg veins.

Contact Dermatitis

Friday, March 19, 2010 by Renee Lierly, RN
Contact Dermatitis

Contact Dermatitis

Advanced skin care may include ablative procedures such as chemical peels, ablative skin resurfacing and other Laser based technology. A common, often avoidable complication is contact or irritant dermatitis.

First Impressions

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 by Cutera Web Team
We know how important first impressions can be - on a job interview, on a date but also to a client who is visiting your practice for the first time.

Take a moment every day to survey your entrance, your reception, your exam or treatment rooms and even your private spaces where patients would not enter.

Look closely.  Do you see any debris?  Disorganized materials?  Empty holders for patient education brochures?  Any dust or cobwebs?  Do countertop signs obscure your staff or other messages or products?

Sit down in your reception seats.  Take a look around.  Be critical.

I visited a medical spa recently who offered laser based technology aesthetic procedures such as laser hair removal and skin tightening.  I noticed things I liked - good lighting, lots of product in a retail area but organized well.  Lots of messaging.  Good use of texture (tile, wood).  Very friendly receptionist.  The impression was one of a busy, thriving practice with a nice variety of procedures and product.

What I felt needed correction (and I mentioned to the nurse) was:  counter signage was obscuring the receptionist so she could not see us when we sat down.  There was a cobweb hanging from a can light in ceiling.  The TV over the doorway was primarily showing testimonial videos but the sound was off.  It would be better to either have small wireless speakers by the seating (so the message was heard) or switch the video to photo loops which do not require sound.  

These are all easy fixes. 

If you prefer - have a friend visit your practice and task them to notice anything that seems off.  Better you see it and fix it than for a less-than-ideal first impression be made by a new patient.   It's nice to know that some things - we can control.

Phone Etiquette for Aesthetic Practices

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 by Cutera Web Team

Aesthetic practices should give extra attention to customer service everything from the reception area to staff interaction with patients.

One area often overlooked is the impression given to patients over the telephone. 

Some helpful tips:
 

  • Pick up the phone by the 3rd ring - make this policy clear with all of your staff
  • Ask permission before putting caller on hold (and wait to receive that permission)
  • Have On-Hold messaging that is up-to-date and details your services and current specials
  • Smile when on the phone; it shows in your voice
  • Introduce your practice and provide your name, then request the callers name and use it throughout the call
  • Remember that the caller cannot see anything about your practice; they can only hear the receptionist's voice and interpret their tone and words
  • Ensure the receptionist can answer questions enthusiastically and correctly on services such as laser hair removal, BOTOX, skin tightening, etc.
  • Use professional terms (discomfort vs pain, underarm vs armpit)
  • Thank the caller at the end of the call and obtain an action (schedule an appointment, request email address to send info, phone number for follow-up)

Providing a positive experience for the caller will help ensure they become (or remain) a patient.

 

Going Beyond a Press Release to promote our Pearl Fractional Laser

Thursday, May 28, 2009 by Cutera Web Team
We used a Multimedia News Release (MNR) for the first time to promote the Pearl Fractional laser for "Eye-Juvenation" -- results and coverage have been impressive. 

Rather than just releasing a press release, our MNR included:


When you prepare media documents to promote your services or a new treatment such as Pearl Fractional for skin resurfacing and dramatic skin rejuvenation, gather up other supporting documents, videos and images to expand your story and make it both dynamic and content-rich.  Your efforts will pay off in the long-term!



Marketing to a Diverse Patient Base

Monday, May 18, 2009 by Cutera Web Team
Let me ask you a few questions. 
  • Do you have a diverse patient population with all or most skin types and many different ethnicities?
  • Are you able to offer aesthetic treatments to all of these patients?
  • Do they know you have aesthetic products and treatments for THEM?
In other words - are you doing a good job letting your patients know exactly what you can offer them, and which services are safe and effective for their individual needs?  Do you use marketing materials that feature models of different age groups?  Different ethnicities?  Both male and female models if your clientele is both male and female?

Cutera recognizes this need exists.  We offer a way to create customized patient brochures to help our customers reach out to their entire practice.  Customers visit CuteraPatientTools.com, choose the application, then select a brochure cover model(s) who best suits the patient group they are targeting.  They can customize the back panel of the brochure with their practice information as well. 

For example, if you want to offer customized laser hair removal patient brochures, you can choose from photos of men and women of all ages, from skin types I -VI.  A specific example --  create and print a vein treatment brochure that features a woman of Mediterranean heritage or show an older couple who are contemplating fractional skin resurfacing such as Pearl Fractional. 

Think about your patient base, what you can do for them and ensure they know it.

Global Aesthetic Marketing to Resume Growth to Reach $8.2 Billion in 2012

Thursday, March 19, 2009 by Cutera Web Team


Medical Insight, Inc. just released the following news that will positively affect the aesthetic laser equipment industry:

"New skin tightening devices, body shaping devices, dermal fillers and neuromodulators will drive 13.1% compound annual growth, according to the newly released Global Aesthetic Market (GAM) VI market study from Medical Insight, Inc."

Their study details how, "despite a softening economy, new advanced technologies will drive aesthetic industry growth, so that from 2008 to 2012:

  • Skin tightening systems will expand by 21.3% per year
  • Body shaping devices will rise by 20.1% annually
  • Dermal fillers will increase by 15.6% per year
  • Neuromodulators will grow by 14.8% annually


GAM VI separates sales of the ten top aesthetic markets into four regions (North America, Europe, Asia, South America) with comprehensive analysis of competitors, market and economic trends in each area. Included are manufacturer sales, number of practitioners, procedure volume and treatment fees for all segments."

For more details on Medical Insight, Inc.'s studies, visit their web site.

Old, tight face lifts are out, more natural-looking rejuvenation is in

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 by Renee Lierly, RN

Old, tight face lifts are out, more natural-looking rejuvenation is in

Laser Based Technology

“I’m not looking for the fountain of youth,” said Jeannie Wright, 60, of Memphis. “I don’t want magic, but just to look the best I can at my age.”

Wright tried Pearl, one of the city’s newest technologies to treat multiple brown spots on her face. Pearl uses a controlled thermal effect to vaporize part of the epidermis. It treats sun damage, hyperpigmentation, uneven textures and fine wrinkles and stimulates collagen production.

Wallace found the results of his surgery could be enhanced by lasers, so two years ago he joined with Mona Sappenfield in a new medi-spa, Mona Spa & Laser Center-Germantown, where Wright was treated with Pearl.

“Combination is where it’s at,” said Sappenfield. One of her most popular treatments is a laser double-punch: Laser Genesis for pores and redness and to jump-start collagen production, and Titan, which goes deeper into the skin and actually tightens it.

Pearl is a more aggressive treatment and may come as a surprise to laser users accustomed to just a few stings and no down-time. To get Pearl, your skin must be numbed with ointment. You’ll spend the next three days with your face slathered in Vaseline to keep it from hurting, and after that come two or three days of peeling.

It was well worth it for Wright, who saw, to her astonishment, nearly all of her spots literally drop off her face. Improvements have continued.

“My skin has gotten smoother and my pores tighter. … I don’t have a wrinkle on my face,” said Wright.

Source: www.aestheticmedicinenews.com

Pearl may be combined with Titan for skin tightening; Limelight for treatment of pigmented lesions; Laser Genesis for tone, texture, pore size.

 

Aesthetic Profits Releases the Highly Anticipated How To Series

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 by Renee Lierly, RN
Potential patients are bombarded with advertisements for Laser Hair Removal, Laser vein treatment, skin tightening and skin rejuvenation. It is important for treatment providers  differentiate themselves from the competitors.

Aesthetic Profits Releases the Highly Anticipated How To Series


After great anticipation Aesthetic Profits Inc. is trilled to announce the launch of it’s much awaited How To: Series - Effective Patient Attraction Tools for Aesthetic Physicians. This compilation contains essential strategies aesthetic doctors need to build a reliable database of returning patients, to enhance their presence within their community and see a steady boost in revenues.

Current titles include: ‘How to Differentiate Yourself From All the Others’, ‘How to Make the Most of Your In-House Marketing’, ‘How to Effectively Communicate With Your Patients’, ‘How to Become Famous in Your Community’, ‘How to Conduct a Successful Aesthetic Patient Consultation’, ‘How to Coordinate a Successful Open House’, ‘How to Promote Retail Profitably’, ‘How to Promote Minimally-Invasive Procedures’, ‘How to Build a Word-of-Mouth Practice’ and many more.

Source:  International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM)

How to Develop a Very Loyal Following

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 by Renee Lierly, RN
Reward you patients with the VIP (Very Important Patient) Promotion.

Promotions can be for Laser Hair removal, Laser Vein treatment, skin tightening, skin rejuvenation, chemical peels or advanced skin care products.


How to Develop a Very Loyal Following

We all know your best aesthetic patient is the referred patient. They are not as price conscious and are already pre-sold on you. You do not want to take these referrals lightly. Every aesthetic practice or medical spa has their group of cheerleaders and you do too.

Source: International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine

Aesthetic Medicine is a Profitable Option

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 by Renee Lierly, RN
There are many things to research and learn about starting an Aesthetic practice. The physician may want to offer skin rejuvenation with chemical peels and Laser based technology or a more advanced skin care practice with Laser hair removal, vein treatments or skin tightening. 

Physician Aesthetic Medicine Certification Training



Aesthetic Practice Startup Workshop Ensures Adding Aesthetic Medicine is a Profitable Option


After completing this workshop, participants will leave with a comprehensive business plan for their aesthetic medicine practice. This program will cover all aspects of creating a business plan for a profitable medical spa, including:

•    Financing options for physicians;
•    Target demographics for tailored aesthetic procedures;
•    Developing a menu of treatments and pricing strategies;
•    Establishing aesthetic practice protocols and HR for aesthetic practitioners;
•    Creating an effective marketing plan;
•    Finding the right location;
•    Staffing;
•    Federal and state legal and regulatory issues; and
•    Startup costs and reading financials.

Souce: International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM)

RECORD NUMBER OF PATIENTS SEEK LASER TREATMENTS

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 by Renee Lierly, RN
Record number of patients seek laser based technology for laser hair removal, laser vein treatment, skin tightening and skin rejuvenation.

RECORD NUMBER OF PATIENTS SEEK LASER TREATMENTS

Writing Copy That Sells by James C. Fairfield, MD, FAAD

Thursday, February 26, 2009 by Cutera Web Team
I came across Dr. Fairfield's article on writing copy in an Advance for Healthy Aging web site.  He highlights many excellent points.

When creating any kind of advertisement, remember you must ask yourself this "what does my patient want to know" and "why should they care?".

Dr. Fairfield feels that mentioning brands of lasers is unimportant.  I disagree -- if the branded laser has received great media coverage, then you should leverage that visibility in your ad (i.e. Pearl Laser as seen on TV show, The Doctors or Titan as seen on Access Hollywood or Extra!).  Consumers want to look like stars and have treatments that celebrities may have experienced. 

Advertise what you can offer patients and why they should come to you for those procedures (injectibles, permanent hair removal, skin rejuvenation, vascular treatments, fractional skin resurfacing or skin tightening) with copy that appeals to them.