While Radio Frequency is not a new technology, it has been used for medical treatments for more than a century, it has in recent decades become popular as a skin tightening treatment.
There are a variety of devices that produce varying results, however with most current Radio Frequency devices some improvement in skin tightness can be seen in the majority of people undergoing treatment.
The Radio Frequency treatment is especially popular in younger people from their 20s to 40s who are considering less invasive anti-ageing treatments and are more interested in maintenance procedures.
Radio Frequency devices are mainly used to correct skin laxity and are best suited for mildly sagging skin in the forehead, mid-face, neck and jaw line and around the eyes. In short, it is an effective, though subtle solution for anti-ageing and overall skin rejuvenation. It is a quick, relatively affordable procedure that requires little to no, down time.
Although different Radio Frequency devices produce varying results, with the most current technologies it is possible to see at some subtle improvement in the skin tightness in the majority of people undergoing treatment.
Radio frequency devices produce an electric current that as it passes through a skin layer it produces heat. Skin rejuvenation occurs as a result of the thermal or heat that is applied to the dermis, the deeper skin layer beneath the epidermis.
Heating the deeper dermis changes the collagen fibres, and they then thicken and contract in response to the heat. This is what leads to visible improvements from Radio Frequency treatments. The inflammatory response to the heat also leads to additional collagen being formed as part of the healing process.
Your clinician will usually apply a topical anaesthetic cream to your skin to numb it slightly before treatment. A cooling gel may also be applied over your face before the treatment. This creates an additional barrier between the surface layers of your skin and the handpiece of the radio frequency device.
As the clinician works across your designated treatment areas (usually the face and/or neck), you will feel a zap, followed by brief deep heating sensations each time the energy is delivered. This can be felt variously as we all have different pain thresholds.
After your treatment has been completed, a cooling lotion or soothing gel is applied to the treated skin. You may feel some skin tightness immediately after treatment, though this is due mainly to temporary swelling. More tightening and improvements will occur gradually over the following weeks and months following treatment.
Q. Does Radio Frequency work? A. Yes. But the results are generally subtle, so it is important that you have realistic expectations. It is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that results in a subtle ‘lift’ and tightening to the treated areas.
Q. Should I do anything in advance to having a Radio Frequency treatment? A. No, other than avoid being sunburnt, this procedure does not require any special requirements prior to treatment.
Q. Do I need to do anything after a Radio Frequency treatment? A. Avoid getting sunburnt and be gentle with the treated skin areas. Apply cooling cloths or mists to the face if it feels hot after treatment.
Q. Does having a Radio Frequency procedure feel uncomfortable? A. Yes, though as with many treatments, everyone is different. It is best to discuss pain management options with your qualified provider, prior to treatment.
Q. Are there any risks associated with a Radio Frequency procedure? A. As with any procedure, there are minimal risks. Radio Frequency is a tiny fraction of those treated may have an induced skin response. Again, discuss any potential side effects with your provider, prior to treatment.
The cost of this treatment continues to decrease as the technology has become more widely available. Expect to pay in the vicinity of $300 + for a full face single treatment and less when purchased as a package (typically three treatments).
