This article talks everything about non-surgical facelifts, the so-called new face to anti aging.
Facelifts often come with risks, which is why many women think twice before undertaking the procedure. But what if you find out there’s actually a way to get a facelift without having to go through the danger of surgery?
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| Image by Irina Gromovataya from Pixabay |
Understanding Aging
There are basically 3 characteristics of aging: Deflation, Descent, and Deterioration. Dubbed as the 3D, these characteristics start to become evident as a person ages. Deflation refers to the lowering hydration of the skin, making it seem ‘deflated’ like a balloon that’s running out of air. As the deflation occurs, the skin starts to descend or essentially sag, like the cheek starting to slip out of place. Last is the deterioration where dark spots, wrinkles, and spider veins become evident.
A non-surgical facelift manages to address all these through a tried and tested process approved by various doctors. Using only the best that technology has to offer, the non-surgical procedure resulted to the use of non-invasive, relatively painless, and quick techniques that can reverse and repair the 3 characteristics of aging.
Non-Surgical Facelift
A new method of creating younger, fresher, and tighter looking skin through the non-surgical facelift is introduced by Dr. Mulholland. Instead of an invasive procedure, the process simply makes use of a laser – a technology that’s long been used for anti-aging needs. This time, the laser manages to reposition the skin along the brow, cheeks, neck, and jowl to become tighter.
Required Sessions
Facelifts that don’t involve surgery typically means that you’ll have to go through several sessions, depending on the extent of the skin’s problem. Typically, it can be finished within 3 to 6 weeks, each session done once a week, therefore giving the skin time to recover and adjust to the process. Noticeable changes however can be noted even after the first and second session, telling you exactly how the procedure is really working on your skin. Each session only lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours.
How it Works
There is no single device that can be used for a facelift through laser. Instead, your doctor would be utilizing several items, each one specifically designed to target one problem area of the skin. Dubbed the Trinity Treatment, there are basically three applications to the process. Here’s how it works:
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photofacial – this one works on the surface layer of the skin, addressing discoloration issues and gently correcting the problem. IPL manages to make the spider veins fade away until they finally disappear on the last session. Dark spots, pigmentations, and other skin tone problems are also addressed through the light. It takes about 2 to 3 Photofacial sessions for the skin to truly improve and the skin tone/texture to become perfectly even.
Fractional Radiofrequency Fractora – next up is Fractora which also deals with the outermost layer of the skin but at the same time addresses the under carpet layer. You probably know this as the dermis and this is where most of the wrinkles, lines, and macro-pores come from. By using Fractional Radiofrequency, the skin is slowly repaired and all those irregularities are patched up – creating a smooth, line-free surface.
How this works is a little unorthodox, but Fractional Radiofrequency actually starts by creating micro fractures on the dermis. They’re incredibly small and not something you’d easily see with the naked eye. The micro fractures however are recognized by the immune system, triggering the skin to start repairing itself by essentially filling in the little holes. New collagen is produced and it is this very substance that allows the skin to lighten and improves laxity. There’s also a ‘heating’ process which is actually gentler than it sounds. Positively charged needle tips are ran on the skin and met by negatively charged bars which produce heat – hot enough to soften and tighten the skin but cool enough that you’ll barely feel it. During this phase, HIFU or High Frequency Focused Ultrasound may also be used which actually helps boost the tightening results of the process.
Radiofrequency Electrical Current – this is the last phase of the Trinity Treatment and may be done using any of the following devices: Exilis Accent, Venus Freeze, and FORMA. Unlike Fractora, the heating process here is done by bulk, making it more extensive, faster, and with results that are more refined. The face is exposed to the heat, specifically the brows, cheeks, jowls, and other part prone to sagging. The controlled temperature is exposed for around 30 minutes, during which time the subcutaneous tissue along with the dermis gets generous realignment of collagen. At the same time, this prompts the creation of new collagen – essentially hydrating the skin, lifting the tissue from the bottom and creating a softer, even toned younger looking skin.
Trinity Treatment Additional
Patients can also have additional elements added into their Trinity Treatment, depending on the extent of the lifting they want. Different injectables can be used together with the basic treatments to further boost the capacity of the electrical devices to lift, repair, and refine the skin. Following are some of the injectables that can be used together with the Trinity Treatments.
- Botox – possibly the most popular injectable being used today, Botox is considered safe when injected in the proper spots of the face and done so by someone with excellent skills. Botox helps pull the skin and lift the jaws, nose line, eyes, and other parts of the face that tends to sag.
- Juvederm Voluma – another popular choice, Juvederm Voluma is designed to work for up to 2 years, providing a lifting effect throughout those times. It can be adjusted or removed, depending on the personal preferences of the patient. There are no known side effects associated with Juvederm Voluma.
Note that these injectables are typically optional. As it stands, the Trinity Treatment already provides ample help in developing a smoother, hydrated, elastic skin. Adding injectables are up to your discretion and for younger patients, the doctor may not recommend its use unless necessary.
Pain Factor and Risks Involved
The process is relatively painless as dermatologists utilize different safety measures to make sure that the skin is well protected. Typically, an anesthetic cream is applied directly on the face with an air chiller designed to counteract the heat coming from the electrical devices. The cream itself comes with zero side effects and can be easily cleaned off after the procedure. Combined together, the cream and chiller are all that’s needed to keep you comfortable during the process. Most patients only report feeling the pressure and tolerable heat as the laser passes on their skin.
Of course, the skin still reacts after each session. Redness and swelling are to be expected with minor discomfort a few hours after the session. However, the swelling is not sufficient enough to require staying at home, ensuring that you’ll be able to go back to work immediately after the session. Due to the heat, it’s also normal for the skin to darken after the procedure, but this eventually flakes off so that the epidermis becomes clean and even once again.
Non-Surgical versus Surgical
Unfortunately, non-surgical facelifts don’t produce the same level of tightness achieved only through surgical means. The tightening process however is intense enough to make a marked difference to the face, creating a younger look while at the same time evening the color tone of the skin. With little to zero risks to speak of, patients wouldn’t have to worry about any side effects of the procedure.
Who Can Use It?
The non-surgical facelift is recommended for anyone who wants to alleviate sagging along the brow, cheeks, jowl, and neck without going through the risk of surgery. Thanks to the relative safety of the procedure, there is no age limit for users. You can undergo the program in your 50s, 60s or even 70s as long as proper evaluation has been done by the dermatologist first. Another great plus of this service is the fact that even people with darker colorings can undergo the process and also get the same excellent results.
After Care for Patients
Just like other anti-aging regimens, the non-surgical facelift need to be repeated over a period of time to make sure that the skin remains at its best. After the 6 sessions, additional sessions will be done every 4-6 months or 4 times a year. Unlike the first one, there’s only need for one session since the skin only needs a tune up. Each session already involves the Trinity Treatment and again triggers redness and swelling of the facial tissue. After an overnight rest however, everything goes back to normal.
Of course, daily skin regimens are also recommended to protect your new, younger looking skin. Consult your dermatologist for any suggestions when it comes to moisturizers, sun blocks, night creams, cleansers, exfoliants, and various other skin products. Using all these can increase the exuberant look and feel of the skin, making sure that you retain that youthful look until the next session draws near.
Cost of the Procedure
One of the biggest factors that discourage individuals from pursuing anti-aging procedures is the cost. However, this is not such a huge concern when it comes to the Trinity Treatment. Typically, the 6-week session would cost around $3000 to $4500, depending on the specific procedure that’s being done as well as any additional. The succeeding ‘tune up’ sessions are only a fraction of a cost and should not significantly impact your budgeting for the said month. Compared to surgical procedures, the cost is also relatively cheaper and will not put you through the fear of wondering if any problems will occur.
Non-Surgical Facelift Expectations
Although the skin definitely benefits from the first session of the non-surgical facelift, you’ll find that most of the changes become significant after the first few sessions. Following are some of the effects you can expect after going through the procedure:
- Less wrinkles become evident, especially along the tips of the eyes where crinkles often form. The notch between the eyebrows also becomes smoother with lines that become shallow or have completely disappeared.
- The tissues of the cheeks, eyes, brow, jowls, and neck are elevated, effectively lifting the skin and diminishing any signs of sagging. You’ll find that with this tightening effect is the reduction of any lines along the face, especially with the neck area.
- The color of your facial skin becomes even all over. Pigmentations, dark spots and other irregularities soon disappear, leaving only a clear and fresh surface. Broken capillaries that are usually evident on the face also start to disappear with each session.
- The skin itself becomes smoother and more elastic. This is due to the extensive production of collagen that was triggered during the non-surgical process. With all these, your skin becomes more flexible and better capable of absorbing and retaining water.
- No downtime – you can get the facelift on a Sunday and be prepared for work on Monday without suffering through any kind of pain or discomfort. There are also no additional medications or creams to be used since the skin is still in perfect condition.
- You get several months of great looking skin which only needs to be maintained a few times a year.
After completing all 6 sessions, you can expect to look years younger than you actually are. Patients who have gone through the procedure found them looking at least 7 years younger thanks to the elevated skin and repaired irregularities.
Non-Surgical Facelifts – A New Face to Anti-Aging
All in all, non-surgical facelifts may just be the new face to slowing down the aging process. Aside from the fact that it can work wonders on making the skin look younger, the risks involved in the process is very minimal. When done under the advisement of a qualified dermatologist, this new technology is 100% safe. In fact, there have been no negative reports about the procedure since its release. Unlike surgical facelifts, there are no scars, burning, or any other lasting damage associated with non-surgical facelifts. Note that depending on the extent of the skin damage and descent, dermatologists may recommend further sessions for the epidermis.
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