Dr. Rodger Wade Pielet, a gay cosmetic surgeon who grew up in Aurora and now lives in Chicago's River North neighborhood, is reportedly the first Chicago plastic surgeon to introduce the Portrait PSR ( plasma skin regeneration ) procedure.
Portrait is the first non-laser technology clinically proven to perform skin resurfacing and regeneration using the power of activated nitrogen plasma. Portrait, a trademarked skin regeneration procedure developed by Rhytec in Waltham, Mass., is based on nitrogen plasma energy—the same technology used for high-definition televisions. The procedure is designed to treat facial wrinkles, skin lesions and sun damage.
'The results have been incredible, and I'm very reluctant to jump on the bandwagon of new technology unless I am convinced that it's safe and that it works,' said Pielet, who graduated from West Aurora High School in 1979 and New Orleans' Tulane University in 1983.
'I really think it makes a difference,' he added. 'The proof is in the results and the patient satisfaction.'
The goals of Portrait PSR are to treat sun-damaged skin; reduce wrinkles; and improve skin tone and texture. The technology works below the skin's surface to initiate skin regeneration while preserving the skin's outer layer, using it as a natural, protective bandage during the healing process. The action transfers heat energy to the skin without direct contact.
Pielet, who has had a private practice in Chicago since 1997, said the Portrait procedure makes up about 10 percent of his overall work, which he expects to steadily increase in the coming years.
Portrait, he said, 'picks up where laser [ technology ] leaves off,' and he was a strong proponent of laser technology for years. ' [ Lasers are ] great tools, but have limited applications. Problem is, each laser is very specific for a certain color or a certain thing, such as pigmentation issue, wrinkles, lines and sun damage. Thus, you need multiple lasers. The beauty of Portrait is [ that ] it will address multiple things with one machine.'
Pielet has been doing the Portrait procedure for about two years.
Portrait is more common in the South than Chicago, primarily because of its ability to reduce and eliminate sun damage, he said. Still, it has been, 'received very well in Chicago.'
There are different levels of Portrait treatment: high-energy, low-energy and ultra-low treatment. Low-energy, which is the most common, is done in his office with topical anesthetic, a numbing cream. The procedure usually takes under an hour, he said.
'The nice thing about these treatments is, there's a cumulative effect. So what we're recommending is three treatments, spread out by four to six weeks,' Pielet said of the procedure that he said is 'not really' painful, especially when a topical anesthetic is used.
'With the topical, it's certainly tolerable. It's like a warm sensation, like a light rubber band snapping on your skin,' he said.
For high-energy treatment, sedation is often needed and it's often done in the operating room.
'There aren't that many people in this area who require high-energy treatments,' Pielet said.
Portrait is FDA-approved for the entire body, and it's most commonly requested by women for their necks, upper chests, hands and feet. For men, it's most often used to reduce the effects from liposuction around the middle.
Pielet has treated about 100 people in Chicago; about 20 percent of them have from the LGBT community.
Pielet's office is located at 1 E. Erie, and he can be reached at 312-440-3100. See www.drpielet.com .
