FACE LIFT - WITHOUT THE KNIFE

Depending on the social scene you keep, you might have heard about the fuss over a newer development in skin beauty, dubbed the non-surgical face-lift. As with so many of the new technologies in dermatology, this one targets aging skin with a goal to reverse some of the less desirable changes, in favor of more youthful characteristics. For example, the dull complexion that we associate with the elderly can be reversed. Or the lax sagging skin of the cheeks, otherwise known as jowls, may be firmed up, gradually, without the awareness of your associates. The only comments you might hear from them may be "You look good! Did you change your hair?" And for those who might have contemplated a brow lift, this is another option. In fact, Health Canada agreed that Radiofrequency application with Thermage is effective at lifting the brow, and smoothing the wrinkling around the eyes. Lifting the forehead may lift the heavy brows off the eyelid to give a more wide-eyed appearance consistent with your photos a decade or two ago, without surgery. And this may be done without a day off work. It doesn’t matter what skin type you are, the complication rate with this technique is certainly much lower than that associated with anesthesia and surgery.

There is no magic about all of these applied concepts.  There has been plenty of research and development that went into this technology.  Simply put, the cells in skin slow down as we age.  Yet, it is recognized that even at advanced ages, cells may be stimulated in the lab to reproduce.  And so the time had come to apply this concept with a technology that delivers energy to target the deep layers of skin, in a manner that does not disrupt the surface.  Hence there is no downtime.  Then, as the aging cells in the deeper skin layers are replaced with fresh cells, there is a burst of activity, including synthesis of new collagen, the substance that is analogous to cotton fibers in the cotton cloth.  This is the infrastructure that needs repair and replacement in order to maintain tissue hydration and fullness.  No amount of expensive moisturizers will keep the tissue hydration without this reservoir. 

It takes time to pass through these phases of revitalization, repair, and restoration.  From cell birth, to tearing down the old framework, and building the new, up to 6 months will pass.  This is in contrast to the surgical approach that might be somewhat more dramatic and rapid, and more likely to tip off the friends and family.  Thermage changes are gradual.  Most report first a brightening of the skin, followed by subtle softening of the creases, and eventually by tissue tightness and reduction of the tell tale folds and droops.  Others may begin to do a second take when they see you, but they are generally not certain what has changed. 

Side effects are minor in most cases.  It is important to realize that technique in treatment is crucial to success.  Science has improved the response by provision of a “recipe” that works best to date.  If the recipe (pulse count) is not adhered to, you might unfortunately experience little, if any, response.  As the consumer (and practitioner) pay per pulse, this is the number that matters when shopping around.  A few pulses spread over the full face may be done for less money, but this might be a classic example of “you get what you pay for.”  And even when fully and appropriately treated there is a possibility that your skin might not respond well.  This is a recognized possibility, although in the past years the response rate is hiking upward.  Combination therapy may be one mechanism of improving the overall outcome.  Speak to your skin practitioner about this treatment and the principle of combination therapy. 

It is quite a transformation in our thinking about aging and the skin.  Only 10 years ago, one didn’t much question the inevitability of the signs of aging skin.  Now our people strive for healthier and more attractive skin, and they realize that they do have choices. 

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