What is Exilis?

Exilis is a new type of radiofrequency device that reduces facial wrinkles and unwanted pockets of body fat. It’s a great non-invasive alternative to surgical liposuction. Its results aren’t as dramatic as liposuction, but it’s a much safer and easier procedure for people who want to rejuvenate and re-contour their bodies.

Exilis has been shown in clinical trials to be both safe and effective, which is why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for tightening up lax skin.

What does Exilis treat?

Although Exilis was first used to smooth out wrinkles around the eyes, doctors soon found it successfully tightens skin on other areas of the face—and on the body as well. The device is now often used to treat and re-contour the neck, back, arms, abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and ankles—just about anywhere you have loose skin and unwanted pockets of fat.

How does Exilis work

Exilis delivers controlled pulses of radiofrequency—sound waves—deep into the skin. Because it’s a monopolar device (one that delivers its sound waves through a single electrode), it’s able to send the sound waves much deeper than many earlier devices. And it does this while keeping the skin’s surface cool. Thus, you don’t have to worry about your skin burning or blistering.

The heat from the sound waves causes the dermis (the skin’s innermost layer) to contract. It also stimulates the formation of new collagen fibers. Collagen is a protein that helps keep skin taut and healthy.

In addition, the heat generated by the Exilis technology—coupled with the vibrations of the device’s oscillating mechanical waves—liquefies and releases fat from the skin’s fat cells, thus shrinking and tightening up the treated area even more.

Who can it help?

Almost anyone with loose skin or with mild to moderate deposits of fat is a good candidate for Exilis treatments. The procedure is safe for all skin tones.

Exilis is not recommended, however, for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, for individuals with an active skin disease on the area intended for treatment, or for people with a heart pacemaker or other implanted medical device.

What is the Excilis treatment like?

Exilis treatments require no anesthetic. The procedure is pain-free. During the procedure, you’ll feel only a slight warming sensation as the device is guided over the area being treated. The entire session will last about 20 or 30 minutes, perhaps longer if a larger area is being targeted.

Afterward, your skin will appear slightly reddish for about 30 minutes or so. But that’s the only significant side effect. Only in very, very rare cases does the skin swell or blister.

Your doctor will advise you to drink a bit more water on the day of your treatment. You’ll also be encouraged to do some light exercise, such as walking, to enhance the effects of the treatment.

How many treatments are needed?

Some individuals get good results after only a couple treatments, but for best results, most people need 4 to 6 treatment sessions, spaced 1 to 2 weeks apart.

Results last for about 6 months. To keep the treated area of the skin taut and smooth, maintenance sessions (usually 1 every 4 to 6 months) are recommended.

How much do Exilis treatments cost?

The cost of the treatment varies. The final amount you’ll be charged will depend, in part, on where you live, how big an area of skin you’re having treated, and how many sessions you’ll need. Generally, a series of 4 to 6 treatments costs $800 to $1,500.

Exilis vs. Coolsculpting

Exilis and Coolsculpting are similar in that they both target unwanted pockets of fat. Coolsculpting shrinks those pockets by essentially freezing and killing the fat cells. Exilis, on the other hand, liquefies the fat by heating it. Both procedures are non-invasive and require no downtime.