What is Radio frequency?

Radio Frequency (RF) Facial Treatment is a good option for people looking for overall improvement without injections.  Remarkable results are achieved  with RF, it stimulates collagen production as well as shortening the collagen fibers resulting in a lifting, tightening effect on the skin.

The treatments are pain free as we use the latest technology.  There is no down time and results are noticeable from the first treatment.  6-8 treatments are recommended at biweekly intervals and thereafter maintenance treatments every 4-6 weeks.

How does it work?

Radio Frequency treatments work be delivery of RF energy (in the form of heat) to the dermis and sub-dermal layers without damaging the top layer of skin or epidermis.  Heating in this area causes collagen contraction, realignment and new collagen production which continues to build over several months.  By promoting the production of healthy collagen, Radio Frequency can help firm up your face resulting in tighter, younger looking skin.

Applicable range:

• Facelift.
• Skin lift around eyes.
• Tighten neck skin.
• Improve drooping and slack nose wrinkle.
• Firm forehead skin and lessen wrinkle.
• Lift and tighten breasts.
• Tighten and sculpture the back.
• Tighten and sculpture the waist.
• Sculpture the buttocks and legs.
• Tender skin of hands.

What is Monopolar?

Monopolar or unipolar refers to a device having one pole or electrode.

With monopolar delivery, the current from the generating machine flows through the body from a single electrode (hand piece) and meets maximum resistance in the area around the tip of the hand piece, where tissue heating in the subdermal layers then occurs. Grounding, or “return pad” may also be used, attached to the patient’s lower back or abdomen, to provide a low resistance path for the current to flow back to the generating machine, to complete the electrical circuit.

What is BIOPLAR?

Biopolar refers to a device having two poles or electrodes.

With bipolar delivery, the current from the generating machine flows only through the tissue which is between the two electrodes on the handpiece; these electrodes start and complete the electrical circuit. Hence, with bipolar delivery, no current flows through the rest of the body, so no grounding or return pad is needed.

The differences between Biopolar and Monopolar

Does Radio Frequency Treatment work for skin tightening of the face?

What is Radio Frequency Treatment?

Radio Frequency Treatment is a non-invasive treatment which uses radio waves directed through a probe head which is rested onto the skin. The radio waves are an energy, directed at the skin to produce a heating effect. Radio Frequency Treatment has been used for many decades for a variety of medical applications.

How does Radio Frequency Treatment work?

The beam of Radio Frequency will target deeper layers of skin, heating them up. This creates stimulation of the skin and in particular, the collagen, a substance which gives elasticity to the skin. The radio frequencies cause water molecules in the deeper layers of skin to vibrate. This in turn creates friction which causes the heating effect. When heat is applied to collagen fibres, they shrink and tighten up, and over time following the treatment, new collagen also forms. Whilst the deeper skin layers are being heated, the doctor will cool down the top layers of skin.

What will it achieve?

The treatment can be used on any part of the body to tighten any loose and sagging skin. It is also suitable for any age group. After treatment the skin contours more to the body as it has tightened up and it will also become rejuvenated, being younger and fresher in appearance. It is effectively used on areas of the face and neck, the breasts and tummy, and upper arms and thighs. But it can be used on any part of the body that requires the skin to be firmed. It is an appropriate treatment for the face because the ageing process sees a reduction in the amount of fat, particularly on the cheeks. Instead of plumping out the tissues (the outcome of filler treatments), it simply aims to tighten up the sagging skin in areas such as the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and jowls.

What about after the Treatment?

The great news is that there is no recovery time, no healing scars, no anaesthetic required and little or no pain during or after the treatment. All that may be noticed is a slight reddening of the skin for about one day. The collagen tightening occurs at the actual time of treatment but new collagen is also stimulated to form over time after the treatment.

The treatment is quite lasting and many people find that it is effective for around two years, depending on individual ageing processes. To be effective, most doctors will advise six to eight sessions of treatment, with each treatment lasting up to three quarters of an hour. There may be additional follow up treatments. The treatment should be viewed as something that will deliver steady improvements rather than an immediate solution.

How does radio frequency affect skin tightening?

RF produces a mild increase in the temperature of the skin and subcutaneous area below the skin. When this warming is sustained for several minutes collagen synthesis begins and over a series of treatments visible skin tightening occurs.

What treatment time and frequency is required for maximum results?

Typically the face and neck require a series of 4 to 6 weekly treatments lasting 30 to 45 minutes. Body treatment sessions may be 40-60 minutes depending on the number of areas treated.

Growing older, putting on the weight is a major concern as we age! As we all know when people gain weight, you can see it in their face. This is because the body does store some fat below the skin in the specific areas of face.  You shouldn’t be surprised, then when a slender person has chubby cheeks or double chin.

Radiofrequency (RF) for skin tightening

RF uses electrical energy to heat the deep layers of the skin, whilst protecting the outer layer. Heating in this area, without damaging the outer layers of skin, causes microscopic changes to the tissues and collagen contraction, with subsequent collagen remodelling over the months that pass. Treatments are comfortable, have no healing time and give immediate results. You are able to resume all your usual activities straight after. A series of treatments is usually required for optimal results.

How safe is Radiofrequency (RF) for skin tightening?

RF technology has been used in medicine (surgery) for over 30 years for haemostasis (blood coagulation) and tissue ablation (electrosurgery). More recently it has been applied as a means of shrinking lax connective tissues through collagen denaturation. RF is a clinically proven and safe treatment technology. There are rarely any side effects, but some patients may experience a mild redness that subsides 1-2 hours after the treatment.

Am I suitable for Radiofrequency (RF) treatments? If so, which RF treatment is right for me?

Radiofrequency addresses the following concerns:

• Droopy eyelids/looking tired
• Flattening of the cheeks
• Lines from nose to mouth (nasolabial folds)
• Lines causing corners of the mouth to turn down (marionette lines)
• Loosening jaw line (jowls)
• Double chin
• Loose neck

Radiofrequency is used to tighten the skin and stimulate collagen production, and is best suited to patients with mild to moderate sagging of facial tissues, usually those in their mid thirties to fifties, with any skin colour.

Are Radiofrequency (RF) treatments painful?

RF treatments are generally comfortable and relaxing. This is one of the reasons for its popularity.

What is the difference between Radiofrequency (RF) and Laser/IPL?

Firstly, RF works by heating up the deeper layers without damaging the skin’s surface, and is meant for skin tightening. Laser and IPL work in the upper layers of the skin and is meant for more superficial skin issues such as pigmentation, acne, spider veins, tone and texture.

Secondly, RF treatments are suitable for all skin colors, including dark and pigmented skin. Unlike lasers and IPL, RF energy is “color blind” meaning that it has no affinity to skin pigmentation, such as melanin.