I am meeting with a Sciton rep next week to discuss their BBL IPL technology and possibly some of their other lasers. Is anyone already integrating Sciton in their practices and if so, how's it going so far?

Our Skin Medica rep recommended Sciton from results she has seen in the Minnesota area. For all I know, Sciton gives her a finders fee or something though...lol.

Your input is much appreciated.

Midwest,

We have two Sciton lasers. They have more filter choices than anyone and their lamps are good for 300,000 pulses. We did a long term cost analysis v. Cutera and found that we would save the clinic over $200,000 in flashlamps alone. For example, the Titan handpiece with Cutera lasts for $10,000 pulses and is $7200 to replace. You will go through 30 Titan handpieces before you go through a single Sciton handpiece. We are getting good results with the SkinTyte (which is exactly the same as Titan). We also liked that they had a single handpiece with 7 interchangeable filters instead of changing out the handpieces like other IPL's. We use our 420nm for acne and PDT, our 515nm for pigment, our 560nm and 590 nm for vascular and the 640 for hair removal on lighter/finer hairs. I'm sure there are other manufacturers out there with great IPL's but we have had a great experience with our BBL. Try the MicroLaserPeel as well. It is our most used and profitable modality. Good luck.

I bought a sciton profile module with the built in 1064nm NDYAG laser, 2940nm Erb YAG, and the BBL with all 7 filter. The reliability and predictability of this module excellent. The only complaint I have regarding the sciton equipment is the amount of noise my module produce when the machine is being operated. Cutera is more user friendly, but Sciton is the one I ended up buying.

Thank you gentlemen...

Here's another question then:

Our community is about 65,000. It's a very conservative and wealthy suburb. Our only competition is another plastic surgeon and an ENT DO. I know the plastic surgeon utilizes Sciton. Is it just blantantly disrespectful to purchase the same technology? I would like a friendly co-existance, but it just doesn't overide my desire for the best technology.

What do you think?

Personally, I do not believe it is disrespectful. The fact is, you need to do whatever you feel is best for your business. I have 4 Sciton's in a 2 mile radius around me. I don't think any of our customers came through the door came because we had a Sciton laser. I don't think they know the difference for the most part. What they do know is that they were treated well, were educated by us about our treatments and received great customer service with results that met or exceeded their expectation. If you believe Sciton is the best technology to help you do that, then I would not hesitate to pull the trigger. Good luck on your decision.

I am a Dermatologist working in a Laser Skin Center in Greece.I am using BBL Sciton and i have been very pleased with it.I think it's the best IPL in the market.

I just bought the Sciton BBL as I feel it is the best on the market. I agree with Dexter that it is not just the laser/IPL. Midwest the most important equipment in your aesthetic laser will be you.

Sciton BBL is the best!!With the filters is working as a laser,actually as many lasers together.You are taking exactly the result of each wavelength!!

Anyone who knows what is the cost for upgrading PROFILE of Sciton with Profractional device and if the cost is including the erbium module?

Charry,

I think the cost of the profractional is just under $40,000 and does not include the erbium. You will need to purchase the erbium on the profile platform.

I'm just about ready to bite on a Sciton profile for fast HR and want to be sure that I making the best choice for my population (Fitz I-IV). It has dual Long pulsed Yag Scanner, BBL and the Erbium "peel". Any input would be greatly appreciated.thanks

I have the Sciton erbium and the BBL. I love them and they do not nickle and dime me. I do not have the 1064 as I already owned the Cutera 1064. I currently use a combination of the 1064 and BBL for hair removal. It is nice to have options.

The 1064 is really best for HR in your darker skinned pts. It will work great for your Fitz 2 with dark hair. We have found that the BBL works a little better for the light brown and thinner hairs. We are going to start using the 1064 and BBL on more difficult pts on the same visit.

I have the Sciton Nd YAG 1064 and the BBL.I agree with LH.The Sciton 1064 is a very good and powerfull Nd YAG.The BBL is a one of the best IPLs (my opinion is that is the best of all) so i am using it in hair removal in large areas with very good results!!

Great, thanks for your inputs; seems evidence and experience show in many cases we need combined therapy to get those pesky hairs. Now to talk to the electrician as it appears the Sciton has a 220V electrical requirement.

I am currently getting skin tightening treatment with Sciton. I receive 6 treatments spaced 3 wks apart. So far I notice no change and I have had 4 treatments. Does this sound reasonable? What are the various factors that would influence success? What recourse do I have if the treatment produces no results?

curious

There are many factors that would influence success in treatment with ST.The fluence in combination with the pulse width that you use,the passes you perform...The higher fluence and the higher number of passes that a doctor uses are critical factors for treatment success.

Getting ready to buy a Sciton Profile with the erbium laser and Profractional, 1064 and BBL. I am interested in starting a forum that all owners of same can share information. Anyone interested?

I don't have the erbium and the Profractional but intend to do it soon.I have only on the Sciton Profile the BBL and the 1064 and i am very pleased from them.The BBL especially is the best IPL in the market.

I am always interested in learning from colleagues. I own the BBL and erbium. I will likely buy the pro-lipo this year. They are also talking about a Q-switched sometime in the next 18 months.

This is my second year with the Sciton 1064, Erbium 2940, and BBL system. I am experiencing some expensiver repari bills at this time. The Erbium laser head unit broke twice in the past 14 months, the 1064 laser head broke once, and the BBL head unit also broke once. Glad the warranty covers most of the repair for one year. Now I have to pay $17000 for an erbium laser head unit due to some calibration error.
My Fotona QX 1064 / ktp 532 laser also requires 4 arm mirrors to be replaced (each costing $1200). The repair bill is getting expensive now that the lasers are out of factory warranty. Any advice on what I should do?

Have anyone bought extended warranty through their local dealers?

I purchased a Sciton with dual head for hair and veins in late 2005, couldn't get started until 2006 due to a build out delay with the office space. I have been very pleased with this system and the results. I had previous experience with Cutera for hair, vein and skin rejuvenation, I feel the treatment is much more comfortable with the contact cooling Sciton uses. My only regret was not purchasing the BBL along with the hair and vein to begin with!
Unfortunately, I have not been able to fully utilize my laser due to becoming a primary caregiver for an ailing parent.Despite being in excellent condition with all original books, etc. I am having difficulty selling this system. I have been in touch with several used laser companies without success, any advice?

You are probably having troubles because it only has the 1064's. Most people looking at the Sciton are looking for more functionality such as having the BBL erbium or the 1319. Good luck. If you look at the top there is a classified area you can place it on for free. Someone may be interested.

manhanMD:
Please let me know if you ever set up a Sciton discussion forum for us laser docs. I am in my second year working with my Sciton, and BBL. Most of my patients are skin type III, IV. I will be happy to exchange information with fellow Sciton users and learn from your experience

I am looking to purchase a used Sciton Profile with profractional and BBL. Do any Docs have any advice about these machines and what kind of maintenance they require and what to look out for in a used machine. Do any of the heads have a shot count and need to be replaced? What about the flash lamp for the IPL?
Thanks,
RAY

RAY
I have been using the Profile(Nd YAG) for two years and the BBl for almost three years know.In my opinion the BBL is the best IPL in the market.You can change independently the fluence,the pulse width and the cooling temperature of it.Sciton gives unlimited shots as guarantee for the first year.I don't have the Profractional so i can't say anything about it.

Ray,

there have been several threads on the site about the perils of buying used. you need to be trained properly on the laser. most used companies will not do this or even know how. sciton will warranty the laser, but they will have to inspect it, get it up to speed. just know there is cost there. does it have the new BBL head? can you add profractional? what year is the model? ST or no ST. buying used can be a good deal sometimes but there are drawbacks. who is the vendor? don't use trinity. good luck.

Hello! I am looking at incorporating a sciton laser into my medical spa in the next year or so. Has anyone got any feedback about the microlaserpeel and profractional device? Are you happy with sciton's customer service?

Thank you

Savitha Susarla

Savitha
I've had a Sciton Profile, full platform, for the past 2 years. I'm very happy with it. It's probably the best system out there. It's user friendly, safe and produces incredible results, provided you are fully trained, and you are using good parameters. The system is very powerful, and you must know how to handle it. It's all about the user. You will get very good results once you employ the right parameters.

Gloria

Please,come on Sciton's Forum.Your opinion and your experience is remarkable for all us.Thanks!!

I am new to Sciton and am very interested in knowing about the safety in treating type 3 and 4 patients. THis question is specifically to Kenneth Wang...

nymd

Come on over the Sciton's Forum.Yes it is safely to treat pt type 3 and 4,but it depends for what treatment you care about.

I am wondering if anybody has experience with the new Profractional XC???

nymd

Read the post on Sciton Forum by dexter at 06/03/2008 at page 2.It's about the Profractional-XC.Dexter had a trial with the new device as it has in his office the original Profractional.

HAVE JUST STARTED USING THE SCITON LASER, AND WOULD LIKE SOME GOOD START OFF SETTINGS FOR SKIN TYPES I -VI USING THE 1064??

I have had the BBL with Skintyte and have been having repeted problems with it. Does anyone else have any bad experiences with the BBL?

I have never had an issue with mine.

So do I,None problem at all.

JJ,

What kind of problems are you having? Please feel free to contact me anytime @doug.carrow@sciton.com. If you would like to keep our communication in the forum that is fine as well. Either way, I want to make sure you get the answers you need.

Doug Carrow
Director of Sales Development

JJ,

Contact Doug. He is with Sciton and he is a good guy. If you have a problem, he will take care of it. Sciton has great lasers and light devices and they are being very cooperative and supportive of our "Clinical Exchange" efforts. Doug and Sciton seem to "get it". This is great news for us (MAPA) and Sciton and hopefully a wake up call for some of the other laser companies. -- JEE

ps. I think Doug is going to be on our IPL Chat next Tuesday Evening. Try to contact him before the chat. For more information about the chat, go to the MAPA Area and drop down to "Live Chat"

I have had the sciton for awhile, and to date had to change the handpiece after ab 12 months of using it, entire module, software, and now its broken down again. I am so disappointed, as I think its a great machine otherwise. And results were not consistent after the handpiece change too, that i ended burning patients whom have been on the same settings for months.

Forgot to add that with every change, it costs a bomb.. handpiece the main killer. it dies after about 150k shots even though it was handled with upmost care. So i no longer buy the claim that the handpiece can do a million shots with no problems.

Doug, Thank you for the offer to help but at present, the representative is attending to me. And its costs me USD120 per hour for them to come take a look at my machine though am less than half an hour away. Now the hand piece doesn't cool so it's down again. I have 2 other IPL machines as well, but to date have given me no problems and costs less than a quarter of the sciton. I don't think I will ever buy one again even though i have an upcoming outlet due to open year end.

I have friends using the cutera titan, elipse and lumenis and they have no issues to date.

JJ,

I would be guessing here but it appears you may be an international customer and working with one of our distributors. If you would like to email me (doug.carrow@sciton.com) I would be happy to research your situation. Our international distributors are responsible for service in their respective countries so I am at a loss to help without your identity. You mentioned your representative is handling your situation so it's my hope you can come to an amicable arrangement. With that said, if I can help I will do everything I can.

Hi Doug,

Yes i am. Will keep you posted and i do appreciate your kind offer. I am just at a loss why there are so many issues with it. And the rep was going on and on about how lasting the hand piece was. And i suppose he was also very surprised by the repeated issues i am having. And i was told there isn't a comprehensive warranty package here as well. I am writing here as I am curious to know if there are others whom are experiencing the same issues.

Doug,

Is it a possibility that i have done too many shots with it? I have done about 400k shots to date. Its great machine otherwise as i have used it on every skin type, caucasians to indians.. But it isn't very effective for facial capillaries.. success rate is very low.

Doug,

They just came and changed the controller on the hand piece but it still doesn't cool so its still down.. my hand piece is only 4 months old. I reckon they will be writing to your technical dept on how they can go about to repair it as they can't figure it out as yet.

JJ,

I am not sure why you are not having luck with facial telangectasias. It is not great for the larger ones. I use the 1064 on larger vessels and then treat the smaller vessels with the BBL and I have had great luck but remember most of my pts are Fitzpatrick I to III.

JJ,

Are you going to be available for our BBL chat tomorrow night? This would be a great time to cover your issues when treating facial capillaries..

Hi Doug, unfortunately the time difference makes it difficult for me to join you chat group. It turns out my new 4 month old handpiece is down. So it has to be replaced again. I just got another walk in today for capillaries around the nose. My 2nd American caucasian patient in a week. I only have BBL with Skintyte so i guess there are limitations. They are very small fine ones on the face.. I know BBL doesn't work for the large ones commonly found on the legs..

jj,

Where are you located? What is the difference in time zones between you and CST (Central Standard Time) in the US?

We may be able to help you. If you would like you can send an e-mail to JEE with your phone number and one or more of us can try to get in touch with you.

LH