Facelift Without Surgery?

Wrinkles and sagging skin are associated with ageing. Until very recently, doctors and their patients have considered a facelift operation as the only option for treating these conditions and restoring a youthful-looking appearance. But surgery has many costs associated with it, not all of them financial. It requires time off work and activities of daily living, pain, and acceptance of many potential risks.

A facelift without surgery has no permanent side effects and if there are any at all, they are mild and temporary. A facelift without surgery works deep inside the skin to stimulate the growth of collagen. Unlike surgeries, the outer layer of the skin is not harmed in any way with this treatment.

What is a Facelift without Surgery?

In a facelift without surgery, your physician uses a device to deliver targeted ultrasound or light energy that penetrates deep into your skin to breakdown the collagen and promote the skin’s natural healing mechanism. In a matter of just one treatment the regenerative process is initiated. The benefit of a facelift without surgery is that you resume your regular life immediately after the procedure. You will likely not even require any pain medication.

Reputed brands like Refirme, Ultherapy and Thermage are the most commonly used technologies for facelifts without surgery. They utilise the latest technologies available to provide you with younger and fresher looking skin.

Benefits of a Having a Facelift without Surgery

If you are considering this type of procedure, you will most likely want to know what the potential benefits you might enjoy are. Well, if you are being treated with lasers, we know that lasers eradicate old epidermal pigmented cells and stimulate new collagen growth. Ultrasonic treatments, while also stimulating new collagen growth, also reduce the appearance of lines, lift the brow line reducing the potential for hooding of the eyes, smooth out crows’ feet near the eye, lift the jawline and neck, and improve the skin tone. All non-surgical facelift treatments require little-to-no downtime.

Patients choose a facelift without surgery over traditional surgical facelift because there is little downtime, no scarring, significantly less risk and the financial costs are considerably less.

What Products Can I Use at Home to Give Myself a Facelift without Surgery?

If you are looking for products to use at home to give you a facelift without surgery, consider the line of products offered by Advanced Dermatology. This skin care range regenerates skin cells from deep within the skin so that the skin lifts itself from inside. These at home facelift without surgery products block enzymes that break down collagen and stimulate cells which produce new collagen deep inside the layers of the skin. They also restore facial radiance and fight discoloration and hyperpigmentation. Over time these anti- ageing treatments lift facial contours, smooth and soften wrinkles from within, leaving you with a clear, dewy, youthful complexion.

Advanced dermatology has six products, which used in combination will give results you want. This includes a healing foam cleanse, followed by super youth serum, deep wrinkle firming skin quench, overnight resurrection and daily sun defense. An additional product is the youthful boost eye gel that helps to minimise dark circles, bags, crows’ feet and wrinkles, giving the area around your eye a youthful twinkle.

The active medicinal ingredients used by Advanced Dermatology are full of amino acids, vitamins and peptides that target and help to slow down and even reverse the signs of ageing.

Facelift without Surgery: At the Clinic or at Home

There are now clear alternatives to the traditional surgical facelift. Before going under the knife, many men and women are choosing to visit their medical skincare physician to discuss non-surgical treatment options. A facelift without surgery can be achieved with clinically proven results using laser, radio-frequency and ultrasound technology. In addition, diligent use of good quality products can be an effective at home lifting treatment. Ultimately, the decision is yours. Choose the right treatment for your skin under proper medical supervision.

Thermage Sydney is a revolutionary non-surgical skin treatment procedure by which one can reverse the visible signs of ageing. It is an FDA and TGA approved treatment for facelifts and body laxity and used frequently in Sydney.  The face, eyelids, back of the hands, the neck and the body are the areas where Thermage is known to work effectively. One question that is frequently asked is: does Thermage work? Thermage is a non-surgical procedure by which radio frequency is focused on your skin to energise the body’s natural renewal process. Thermage uses a combination of heat energy and cooling effects to protect the skin and keep the patient comfortable through the procedure. The latest technology includes Comfort Pulse Technology, known as Thermage CPT, which sends cooling effects in between gentle vibrations to make the treatment more comfortable. In spite of all the precautions and comfort, we need to keep in mind the fact that not all of us are the same, and thus we all respond differently to treatment.

So does Thermage Sydney treatment really work?

People impacted by the effects of ageing want the benefits of a facelift but many prefer a non-invasive, non-scarring and a non-surgical method. Before we answer the question, “does Thermage work?” we will first take a look at how Thermage works. With age, the natural collagen fibre, which gives the skin its shape and elasticity, wears out. A number of factors like sun damage, exposure to environmental toxins, and pollution, and smoking accelerate this process. As a result, the skin begins to sag and wrinkle. Thermage applies captive radio frequency, which penetrates into the deep layers of the skin. It primarily uses mono polar radio frequency devices, which reach the subcutaneous layer which is made up of fat and collagen. The frequency waves are then converted into heat energy that stimulates the existing collagen and signals the skin fibroblasts to increase the production of new collagen. This process shows immediate results by tightening and rejuvenating the skin. The heat also increases blood flow, resulting in an increase in the metabolism of the fatty layer. The result of all of these processes is younger looking face, with skin that appears tighter, has less face and neck sagging, and fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

How does Thermage work?

Thermage has shown impressive results on the face. However, in addition to its use for non-surgical facelifts, Thermage can also be used to tighten and tone the skin around the abdomen, the eyes, and other body parts like buttocks and thighs. After pregnancy, many women want to get rid of the stretched out skin around the abdomen. Thermage is effective for the midsection in this group of patients. It can also be used in the case of patients who have lost a lot of weight. With age, the skin around the eyes begins to droop and puffiness and bags start forming beneath the eyes. This problem can be addressed with Thermage as it can tighten the drooping eyelids.

Does Thermage work for patients who are not good candidates for a surgery?

Yes. Thermage is an effective way to get younger looking skin for those who are not good candidates for surgery or those who do not require a complete face lift. Some of the results that can be achieved using this treatment include:

•                Tighter skin with a smooth tone
•                Reduction in the appearance of wrinkles
•                Less jowls
•                Fewer lines on the forehead
•                Smoothed out crows’ feet
•                A tighter jaw line
•                Smoothed out scowl lines between the eyebrows
•                Eyebrow lift
•                Reduced hooding of the eyelid
•                Reduced vertical lines above the lips
•                Improvement in the appearance of acne scars
•                Tightening of the skin around the arms, thighs and buttocks
•                A radiant complexion

The Thermage Procedure

Most medical clinics in Sydney that provide Thermage have similar steps to the treatment process. The procedure begins with the removal of your make up with a gentle cleanser. Next, a rubber-grounding pad is placed on your abdomen. Then the treatment really begins – pulse by pulse, one side of your face is treated at a time. You will see immediate results after one side of your face is done. You may be even be offered a look in the mirror. However, it takes four to six months to see full benefits of Thermage. The process of producing new collagen will continue for a couple of years after the treatment. A big advantage of this process over other laser skin tightening treatments is that it does not require repeated sessions to maintain the texture and tone of the skin. Some laser treatments suggest ten or more sessions to get the full effect. Even with its higher per session price tag, Thermage treatment is more cost effective than laser treatment. Thermage is not painful and thus does not require anaesthesia before your treatment. However, mild pain medication can be given for patient comfort or as a precaution. Most patients only feel a brief sensation of heat every time the Thermage is pulsed into your skin. The Thermage device releases cooling cryogen spray to keep a check on the temperature of the skin. Precautions are taken by the physician to reduce the chances of burning. The temperature on the surface of the skin is maintained at around 40 degrees Celsius whereas the temperature ranges between 65-75 degrees Celsius in the deeper tissues. The treatment is quick and could last for one or two hours, depending on the size of the target area. Preparation for the treatment and administration of any local anaesthetic or sedative could add to the time. It does not require any particular patient preparation apart from removing make up and cleansing the skin – even this is sometimes done by clinic staff, depending on individual office procedures.

Potential Risks or Side Effects with Thermage

Thermage is has been approved by most national regulatory agencies and has many built-in safety measures to reduce risks and unwanted changes. Like any other medical treatment, Thermage does have a few potential side effects, which are temporary and minor. Newer devices like ThermaCool (TC), ThermaCool (TC-3), ThermaCool (NXT) and ThermaCool Comfort Pulse Technology (Thermage CPT) help reduce the occurrence of side effects.

The side effects may include:

• Redness
• Blisters
• Bups
• Swelling
• Crusting/scabbing of the skin
• Herpes eruption (for those with the virus)
• Numbless
• Pigmentation
• Acne, and
• Skin surface irregularities

None of these unwanted side effects are permanent and they will heal within a very short period of time. Swelling and redness dissolve within a couple of hours. Only in rare cases will they persist for up to a few weeks. Some individuals may experience soreness, tingling or a burning sensation for a few days. Some rare risks of Thermage are bruising, soreness and surface irregularities of the treatment area. These symptoms generally disappear in a couple of days without any specific treatment. This means that there is literally zero downtime required with Thermage treatment. Patients can immediately return to work or their regular activities of daily living the same day. Recently, Thermage device manufacturers have released even better technology. The third generation Thermage has doubled the size of the tips giving more options for the number of pulses, and thus speeding up treatment to larger areas. The added cooling element on the tip makes the procedure virtually painless and much more comfortable. Repeatedly, Thermage patients have reported that they chose the Thermage treatment option over other alternative because of its zero downtime.

Is Thermage safe for everyone?

Anyone who has a pacemaker, an internal cardiac defibrillator, a skin infection in the target area or a female who is pregnant should NOT undergo Thermage. Obese patients will not see good results from this treatment. Patients with a metal implant of any kind should not have Thermage done on those areas. The procedure involves breaking or wounding of collagen and requires your body to have a healthy healing system to produce new collagen; therefore, patients with a condition that impairs wound healing should not have it done. For a Thermage treatment around the eyes, patients who have had recent corneal or lasik surgery should let their eyes recover first. Most importantly, before undergoing the treatment, ensure that you discuss your medical history with the treating physician and be sure you understand the potential risks involved in the procedure.

Are results from Thermage immediate?

Immediate results following a Thermage treatment are visible, but subtle and sometimes less obvious to others around you. Your skin will appear more youthful with a tighter and firmer texture within days or weeks. Your skin will feel smooth and supple, with a radiant glow. It is important to reiterate that the results of Thermage vary from person to person depending on the condition of the skin and the network of collagen fibre under the skin. Striking results have been reported in patients with healthy skin, though a marked improvement can be seen in everyone undergoing this treatment. The most remarkable part of this process is the cumulative and continued improvement over time after the initiation of treatment. The body’s natural process is enhanced and stimulated after Thermage treatments making your skin continue to “act” younger. Instead of using artificial material to make your skin appear more youthful, your body’s natural system is stimulated to produce the desired effects.

Does Thermage Work for Individuals Who Have Had a Prior Traditional Facelift?

Patients who have previously undergone a surgical facelift and are now experiencing a sagging, flaccid look to the skin and recurrence of fine lines and wrinkles, are a good candidate for Thermage treatment. It has been shown that Thermage is a safe method for all skin types. It is most effective for individuals between the ages of 35 and 69. Although physicians are making continuous progress in anti-ageing technology, after a certain age, skin becomes too elastic for Thermage to be effective.

How much does Thermage cost?

Based on our review the average cost of a Thermage treatment in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is approximately $3,000, with the newer Thermage CPT often being only slightly more expensive. The cost of a Thermage treatment session in most capital cities of Australia could range anywhere from $2000 to about $5000, depending on the target area. Some clinics and cosmetic services centres offer a discount if you book future sessions in advance. The price may seem daunting in spite of it being a more cost effective treatment when compared to other available alternatives. The process is expensive for several reasons. For the purposes of sterility, the tip of the device used is disposable. Other supplies used such as the coolant, the coupling fluid, and the grounding pad also add to the expense. Training and technology are also factors that contribute to the cost. Overall, Thermage in Sydney is still less expensive than a surgical facelift or the number of laser treatments required to achieve and maintain results. Many doctors provide financing options and offer payment plans to manage the cost of the treatment. Make sure you consult with your physician and his or her staff about the details.

Will Thermage Work for Me?

While one should never consider Thermage a replacement for a facelift surgery, it can be a viable alternative in many cases, especially in younger patients who are displeased with their appearance even in the earliest phases of ageing.

Watch the Results Develop over Time

After a Thermage treatment, it is important to be patient. Enjoy waking up each day looking a little younger. While you may not observe immediate results, they will happen. Past Thermage patients have seen remarkable changes in their skin. Within a matter of four to six weeks after an initial treatment, jaw lines become more defined, puffiness around the eyes is dramatically reduced, the brow line is smoothed out, and fine lines and wrinkles become softer and less apparent. Most patients do not experience any side effects and may even get back to work within a couple of hours or sometimes even immediately after treatment. Visit your skin care physician to learn more about Thermage treatment.

*All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Thermage is the trademark of the Valeant family of companies. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

Pearl Fractional Laser

The Pearl laser is a device manufactured by Cutera Inc., and was designed as a skin tightening solution to get rid of wrinkles and rejuvenate ageing skin. The company is a San Francisco-based manufacturer of cosmetic devices that uses light to manipulate different layers of skin. The Pearl laser is just one of many Cutera brands, like the CoolGlide laser, a treatment for permanent hair removal; GenesisFlex, a radial pulse device for reducing muscle pain; and AcuTip, to address problem blood vessels. All of these machines have the potential of causing long term skin damage if used improperly, and are designed strictly for use at a physician’s office. Because of the possible side effects of the Pearl laser treatment and the accompanying skin inflammation, it is important to talk to your physician openly and honestly to avoid potential skin damage.

How the Pearl Fractional Laser Works

Pearl laser skin resurfacing was designed mainly as an upkeep treatment, to address problems of ageing skin and skin pigmentation issues caused by the sun. This is a fractional laser, meaning that it treats both the dermis and the epidermis, but affects only a fraction of the skin. When a physician uses the Pearl laser, the device will take the laser beam and split it into smaller individual bursts that hit the skin in only a fraction of the treatment area. As these energy beams enter the skin, they can destroy hyperpigmentation clusters, and at the same time make it to the dermis to speed up collagen formation to get rid of wrinkles.

Few people realise the importance that collagen plays in keeping skin elastic, but the loss and damage of this protein in the skin is a significant factor in the development of wrinkles. By creating micro damage within this collagen-rich skin layer, the Pearl fractional laser forces the body to react and it’s the body’s healing process that is responsible for the treatment’s beautifying effects.

Treatment Intensity

The Pearl laser is a procedure that does not require a hospital stay, but can cause some pain and discomfort. A topical anesthetic is often used to diminish discomfort, but in people with especially sensitive skin, a general anesthetic may be required, or an alternative treatment should be considered. The sensation reported by most patients during Pearl laser resurfacing is that of hot, rapid pinches to the skin.

Is the Pearl Laser Treatment Effective?

The results of a typical Pearl laser skin resurfacing will not be apparent for approximately one week, and will gradually show improvement thereafter. Cutera suggests that the most significant results will take up to 3 months to present themselves, making this treatment a long term commitment. Although some patients notice results after just one treatment, multiple Pearl laser resurfacing treatments may be needed for serious problems like deep frown lines or sagging skin around the chin.

Pearl Laser Skin Resurfacing Side Effects

The Pearl resurfacing laser is a non-ablative device, meaning that it doesn’t destroy cells in the epidermis. Typically laser resurfacing destroys cells in the epidermis to reveal healthy skin. However, this device largely bypasses the top layer, and focuses on strengthening the collagen fibers in the dermis layer of the skin. However, the Pearl laser resurfacing treatment can still have a variety of side effects and requires approximately a week to fully recover.

After the Pearl resurfacing laser treatment, patients report a sunburned sensation, accompanied by inflamed skin with some pain and discomfort. The treatment also requires the use of a special ointment for several days after treatment, and the patient should avoid the sun for at least four to five days. If you are going to try the Pearl laser resurfacing procedure, ensure that you have plenty of time to fully recover and avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun and other environmental pathogens.

*All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Pearl Laser is the trademark of the Cutera. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

The Palomar laser is an aesthetic medical device used for cosmetic purposes like hair removal, treatment of leg veins, wrinkle removal, and to address skin pigmentation issues. This machine was developed by Palomar, a company that was purchased by another medical devises developer, Cynosure, in 2013. Cynosure was already focusing on research and development of various laser technologies for applications in skin care, and Palomar laser was a logical fit for this acquisition. In addition to this newly acquired product line, the Cynosure carries other device brands like Slim Lipo, a laser machine designed to contour fatty tissues; the Palomar Emerge Fractional Laser, for skin resurfacing; and the StarLux machine to get rid of wrinkles, scars, and unwanted hair. Although lasers have been used in skin care for half a century, it is important to keep in mind that such technologies can be vastly different and can cause different levels of skin damage, have different recovery times, and may not be effective for everyone. With this in mind, a good way to understand what the Palomar laser can do is to look at its complementary features and how they affect treatment.

How the Palomar Laser Works

When it comes to laser technology for skin care, the idea behind treatment is pretty simple. Devices like the Palomar laser amplify light energy to the point where the beam is strong enough to affect skin cells. Think about it this way, your body already reacts to light radiation by producing melanin pigment to reduce skin damage. When this energy is amplified in a laser, it can be strong enough to coagulate cells, or to vaporise them altogether. When technologies like the Palomar laser are used, the damage they cause to skin cells and collagen fibers stimulate the body’s natural responses to replace the damaged cells with new ones and create the appearance of healthy skin.

When is the Palomar Laser Used?

Technologies like the Palomar laser are used to treat a variety of skin conditions like wrinkles, acne scars, pigmentation issues, and hair removal. However, it is important to remember that lasers can cause a lot of discomfort to the skin, because they actually damage tissues. This is more so true for ablative lasers, which often completely destroy cells on the surface, thus causing more discomfort and requiring longer healing times. In response to such problems, devices like the Palomar laser contain features designed to reduce discomfort and potential side effects.

For example, the PalomarIcon laser includes a cooling technology designed to prevent skin damage from device head overheating. Some of the other features included in Palomar laser line are special micro-lenses to increase the laser effectiveness and decrease procedure durations, as well as a number of hand pieces that specifically calibrate the light energy depending on the skin problem that is being treated.

Palomar StarLux

The StarLux is another laser device that was created by Palomar, and is specifically a non-ablative laser, designed for shorter recovery times. This Palomar laser is also used to get rid of wrinkles, minimize the appearance of acne scars, and stunt hair growth. Although the company claims that StarLux was designed to prevent pain and discomfort from over-heating, it is important to note that some individuals may experience redness and swelling after treatment. However, because the strength of the laser is mitigated, treatment may likely need to be repeated several times in order for results to show.

Slim Lipo

The Palomar Slim Lipo technology is used to address the signs of ageing by contouring problem areas of the body. This device uses laser energy to break down the lipids in fat cells, thus re-shaping fatty tissues that cannot be addressed with simple diet or exercise. Most commonly this device would be used on areas where the skin starts to sag because it can no longer support the fatty tissue underneath. Keep in mind that this Palomar laser technology can cause discomfort, and local anesthesia will likely be necessary.