Bridge Therapy is a family of fractionated procedures including TotalFX, ActiveFX, DeepFX, and PigmentFX, which utilizes the UltraPulse Encore CO2 laser. Each of the Bridge Therapy treatments is performed in a single treatment with minimal patient downtime. During a fractional treatment, only a portion of the skin’s surface is treated by the laser, leaving small “bridges” of untouched skin surrounding the treated areas. This technique makes the healing process much quicker and enables patients to return to their ordinary routines sooner.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS General Questions
Benefits of Bridge Therapy
Safety
Choosing the Right Provider
Alternatives to Bridge Therapy
What To Do Before and After
Privacy Considerations
Cost and Financing
| GENERAL QUESTIONS |
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How do I know if Bridge Therapy is right for me?
If you are looking for smoother, younger-looking skin or want to reduce acne scarring or sun damage, then Bridge Therapy may just be for you.
After you have had the opportunity to review the wealth of materials on our website, we recommend you explore the available treatment options further with us during a free consultation. At that time, we will discuss your current situation, your goals and expectations, and develop an individualized plan designed to achieve optimal results for you. By the end of the consultation, we will develop a specific price quote, and we can apply for any financing options that you may be qualified for while you wait.
Many of our patients travel a long distance to visit us or are unable to find time in their busy schedules to come in for a consultation. We are happy to accommodate these clients by conducting the majority of your consultation by phone and e-mail. It is particularly helpful if you can send us photographs of the area(s) you wish to treat. We will then conduct an abbreviated in-person consultation the day of your procedure to address any issues or concerns that we were not able to address prior.
What are the different treatments in the Bridge Therapy family, and what does each treatment address?
ActiveFX is the first-of-its-kind ablative laser with fractionated technology for skin rejuvenation. ActiveFX utilizes CO2 laser energy to treat fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, discoloration and other effects of aging and sun damage in a very fast, single-treatment approach. Corresence is the first location in the Southeast to acquire the ActiveFX™ device.
DeepFX treats scars (particularly those caused by scarring), dermal lesions and stimulates long-term remodeling of the skin. DeepFX is most commonly used in combination with ActiveFX in a treatment called TotalFX.
TotalFX combines the benefits of ActiveFX and DeepFX, toning, tightening, and targeting the texture of the skin, stimulating long-term remodeling of the skin, and treating sun damage, wrinkles, scars, and dermal lesions. TotalFX delivers the most promising results and can be beneficial to anyone concerned with aging.
PigmentFX treats discoloration of the skin caused by sun damage.
Bridge Therapy differs from other aesthetic procedures employing the fractional approach because it utilizes CO2 laser energy, which penetrates deep into the dermis, eliminating damaged cells and stimulating the growth of new collagen in a single session. Compare this with non-CO2 or non-ablative lasers, such as Fraxel, which usually require about four to five treatments over six months to achieve similar results.
What is the difference between DeepFX and ActiveFX?
ActiveFX treats more superficial damage on the surface of the skin, whereas DeepFX goes deeper and stimulates collagen growth. Combined together into a TotalFX treatment, they can be the most effective treatment available to address the effects of aging.
How long does the Bridge Therapy procedure take?
TotalFX clients will usually be in the office for approximately 2 hours. We begin by taking several images of your skin as part of our advanced Visia Complexion Analysis. After allowing a short period of time to numb the area to be treated, the actual laser procedure only takes 20–30 minutes.
Will I be put under general anesthesia?
No, general anesthesia is not required. Topical anesthesia is applied. If additional numbing is required, a small amount of lidocaine may be injected to the area similar to that you might receive during a visit to the dentist."
What is the downtime associated with Bridge Therapy?
Patients should allow approximately four to five days of downtime. You generally will experience redness and itchiness during the first three days. By the fourth or fifth day, makeup usually can be applied and normal activity resumed.
Has Bridge Therapy been approved by the FDA?
The UltraPulse Encore Laser has been FDA approved since 1998. The treatment parameters were approved for Active FX in 2005 and for Deep FX in 2007.
What type of equipment is used?
The UltraPulse Encore Laser by Lumenis.
| BENEFITS OF BRIDGE THERAPY |
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How soon can I expect to see results from Bridge Therapy?
Results will be readily apparent after the first three to five days and will continue to improve over the next six months.
How long will the results last?
Results are expected to last approximately two to five years. You will continue a normal aging process.
Can Bridge Therapy be combined with other procedures?
Yes! Dr. Clinton is the first physician in the country to pioneer the combination of TotalFX with Thermage in a single session. Thermage is a safe, non-invasive cosmetic procedure that is clinically proven to tighten, contour and rejuvenate the skin. Thermage helps to naturally restore a more youthful appearance. Thermage utilizes a unique form of Capacitive Radiofrequency (CRF) technology to tighten existing collagen and stimulate new natural collagen production. The procedure works by heating deep collagen fibers in the skin and underlying tissue, while protecting the skin's surface with a cooling spray. A handheld device briefly touches the skin, delivering energy deep beneath the skin. This deep uniform heating action causes the deep structures in the skin and underlying tissue to immediately tighten. Over time, new and remodeled collagen is produced to further tighten skin and renew facial contours.
Dr. Clinton believes that the combination of TotalFX and Thermage in a single treatment has a synergistic effect, such the combination treatment produces better results than could be achieved through having each procedure done separately.
| SAFETY |
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Are there any special concerns for patients with darker skin?
If Bridge Therapy is inappropriately applied, it may case hyperpigmentation in certain patients with darker skin. At your free consultation, we will analyze your skin with the ultra-high-tech Visia Complexion Analysis and help you determine whether Bridge Therapy is an appropriate treatment option for you.
Does Bridge Therapy carry any risks?
The known risks of Bridge Therapy are minimal and each can be substantially limited if the proper procedures are followed. Scarring is a potential risk but extremely unlikely. Hyperpigmentation can be a risk for certain patients with darker skin. If you have darker skin, we will be able to address whether you are a good candidate for Bridge Therapy during your free consultation. Other risks include burning and blistering.
| CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROVIDER |
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What should I look for in a provider of Bridge Therapy?
You should seek an experienced provider with a good track record who is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care. A healthy gallery of before-and-after pictures is one of the best ways to evaluate a Bridge Therapy provider.
How many Bridge Therapy procedures have you performed at Coressence?
Coressence is one of the premier providers of TotalFX in the country. We performed more than 50 TotalFX procedures in the first two months after it was FDA approved alone.
| ALTERNATIVES TO BRIDGE THERAPY |
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What are the alternatives to Bridge Therapy?
The most common alternative treatment to Bridge Therapy is Fraxel, a non-ablative fractionated treatment. Fraxel can achieve results very similar to those achieved by Bridge Therapy, but Fraxel requires four to five treatments over six months, whereas Bridge Therapy can achieve similar results in a single treatment.
| WHAT TO DO BEFORE AND AFTER |
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How do I begin the process to get Bridge Therapy?
After you have had the opportunity to review the wealth of materials on our website, we recommend you explore the available treatment options further with us during a free consultation. We offer in-person consultations or “virtual consultations,” over phone, fax, and/or e-mail. During your consultation, we will discuss your current situation, your goals and expectations, and develop an individualized plan designed to achieve optimal results for you. By the end of the consultation, we will develop a specific price quote, and we can apply for any financing options that you may be qualified for while you wait.
What should I do in preparation for the Bridge Therapy procedure?
All patients will have specific instructions tailored to their unique situation. All patients should avoid or cut down on alcohol, tobacco products, and certain medications and vitamins that can increase the chance of bleeding and extend healing time. Patients will be prescribed an antibiotic to prevent infection, which they should begin taking the day before the procedure.
What should I do after the Bridge Therapy procedure?
Patients will be provided with detailed post-procedure instructions. The main priorities are to keep the skin moist and stay out of direct sunlight for the first five days after the procedure.
What do you recommend for patients traveling from out of town?
We have many patients who travel from out of town. We are happy to assist you in making hotel and travel arrangements. We also work with an excellent car service, and are happy to schedule door-to-door service for you upon request, and at your expense. We strongly recommend that clients have someone with them if they are staying the night, although this is not absolutely necessary. Clients will be provided Dr. Clinton’s cell and home phone numbers if any issues should arise.
| PRIVACY CONSIDERATIONS |
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What do I do if I don’t want anyone to know I’ve had the procedure done?
Clients will experience significant redness and flakiness of the skin that is not concealable for approximately four to five days. After that time, you should be ready to apply makeup and face the world with out anyone knowing that you have had anything done.
Do you keep my information confidential?
Coressence keeps you personal health information safe. Coressence will not publish or otherwise make generally available any information or data that identifies a patient for purposes other than treatment, payment or other health care operations, without his or her express written consent. All clients are asked when signing their consent if we may use their photographs for teaching, marketing, publication or scientific purposes. This does not restrict the internal use of such information or data that is required in the performance of the scope of work that Coressence has been engaged to perform for a client. Coressence also maintains physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect individually identifiable health information. Coressence is always making ongoing improvements to maintain and enhance our level of security for individually identifiable health information.
| COSTS & FINANCING |
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Is Bridge Therapy covered by insurance?
Bridge Therapy is considered a cosmetic procedure and under most circumstances will not be covered by your health insurance.
What is the cost of Bridge Therapy?
Bridge Therapy ranges from $2,750 to $4,950 for a full face. Neck, décolleté and hands are also offered at reduced prices when purchased with the face.
What financing options are available?
We have several financing options available to accommodate a broad range of incomes and credit histories. Qualified applicants may be eligible to receive 0% financing, or to pay as low as $55 per month for a $2,500 procedure. We will discuss financing options during your free consultation, which you can schedule by calling us directly at (910) 321-0079 or by clicking here. |
