Wrinkles, fine lines, and crow’s feet are all a natural part of aging. While you can embrace them, it’s normal to feel uncomfortable and insecure about aging skin.
You can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles through skin tightening treatments, such as Botox. And while Botox is effective and minimally invasive, there is an even less invasive alternative that might be able to do the job just as well.
Radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening uses radiofrequency waves to heat the subdermal layer of your skin, helping to tighten your skin and even remove small deposits of fat in the process. Let’s talk more about how this technology might be able to make you feel like a younger version of yourself in no time.
What is Radiofrequency?
In case you didn’t pay attention in physics class, we’ve got you covered. Radiofrequency is a type of energy that is classified on the electromagnetic spectrum. There’s high energy and low energy RF, and high energy radiation causes damage to DNA cells after prolonged periods of time.
X-rays are an example of high energy radiation, which explains why you can only be exposed for a small amount of time every time you need to get one done.
The RF technology used to tighten skin is somewhere around 450 kilohertz, which is slow compared to most other waves on the spectrum. Essentially, it’s quite calm and on the lower end of the energy spectrum.
This makes it great for medical procedures such as skin tightening because you can be exposed for longer periods of time, allowing for more promising results at the end of the procedure.
How Does Radiofrequency Work for Skin Tightening?
There are many different types of RF skin tightening available, such as Thermage, Exilis, and Thermi. However, they all work in pretty much the same way.
Basically, a device will pulsate radiofrequency waves to the subdermal layer of skin which is located under the dermis. This is the layer of skin that contains fat and connective tissue.
The subdermal fat is damaged to a point beyond repair at temperatures from 122 to 167 degrees fahrenheit. Fat has a lower burn level compared to surrounding structures, so RF technology can remove fat without damaging blood vessels, tissue, or other important body parts.
Additionally, maintaining a temperature above 115 degrees for over three minutes on your body can release heat-shock proteins, which stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen is an abundant protein that keeps your skin elastic and youthful.
Benefits of Radiofrequency Skin Tightening
Any skin tightening procedure has its own set of benefits, but RF technology has some advantages over traditional skin tightening techniques. Namely, RF skin tightening does not require incisions or injections in order to be conducted. This means that you’ll feel more comfortable throughout the procedure.
Additionally, the recovery time is minimal because there are no wounds that need to heal. Since there is no physical trauma occurring on your skin, you can get back to normal activities sooner than many alternatives.
On top of all of this, skin tightening can improve your confidence and self-esteem by restoring your complexion and giving you a more youthful glow. Since RF can stimulate the production of collagen, it may mean that your skin becomes more healthy overall.
RF skin tightening can also help address wrinkles all over the body as opposed to Botox treatments which are reserved purely for the face. While RF treatments can be done to reduce fine lines or wrinkles on your face, they can also help tighten the skin around your abdomen, thighs, or other parts of the body.
Risks of Radiofrequency Skin Tightening
RF skin tightening is considered safe when performed by a certified plastic surgeon, but as with any plastic surgery, it comes with some associated risks.
The main risk is that it’s possible for your procedure to look a bit different than you had hoped. Asymmetry or irregularities are rare, but possible. You may need subsequent procedures to get everything looking closer to how you’d hoped.
Additionally, common side effects include swelling at the treatment site, redness, or tingling. These are usually only temporary and should subside within a day or two.
Finally, if the procedure is performed incorrectly, it’s possible to be burned. This is why it’s essential to pick a licensed plastic surgeon who you can trust.
What Makes a Good Candidate for Radiofrequency Skin Tightening?
Everyone’s circumstances are unique, and RF skin tightening can usually work for most people. However, it is important that you are a good candidate, as this ensures maximum results and safety before, during, and after the treatment.
Ideal RF skin tightening candidates are people who:
Have positive, but realistic, expectations for the outcome of the procedure.
Show signs of moderate skin aging.
Are insecure with the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles on their skin.
Are looking for better textured, healthier.
Non-smoker.
Have no life-threatening medical conditions.
What to Expect at a Radiofrequency Skin Tightening Consultation
Before any plastic surgery procedure, no matter how minimally invasive, it is essential to meet with your plastic surgeon for a consultation. Not only does this help ensure you’re a good candidate, it can also let you get to know your surgeon and feel more comfortable.
Your surgeon will ask you some questions regarding family medical history, past surgeries, allergies to any medications, as well as your goals for getting skin tightening completed. It’s important to be honest and transparent. Next, they may evaluate your general health status to check if the procedure will be safe for you.
This is also the time to ask your surgeon any and all questions you have about the procedure. The goal is to make you feel more comfortable and confident when you leave the office as compared to when you walked in.
How to Maximize the Results of Radiofrequency Skin Tightening
It’s possible for your skin tightening treatment to have long lasting results. However, natural fluctuations in your weight or age can affect your skin’s appearance. You can try to maintain your skin tightening treatment for longer by engaging in healthy habits such as exercising and eating a proper diet.
Additionally, it is important to take good care of your skin by moisturizing and cleansing your face often. This helps to keep harmful oils at bay, reducing the risk of dry skin or acne flare ups.
Radiofrequency Skin Tightening vs Botox
Radiofrequency is a fairly novel form of skin tightening, and Botox is a traditional method for restoring the appearance of vibration and elasticity to your face. You’re probably familiar with Botox, but just in case you’re not, it uses injections of the Botulinum toxin to block nerve signals to certain muscles, forcing them to relax. This reduces the muscular contractions that cause wrinkles.
One drawback of Botox when compared to RF is that it requires the use of injections. While these injections are small and minimal, it can still lead to bruising and swelling. Additionally, Botox is not permanent. After about 3-4 months, the toxin will wear off. This is why it requires repeated administration to maintain results.
While both will help you get closer to your best body, RF may be able to give you longer lasting results that Botox just can’t match. PH-1 Miami is happy to offer you both options so that you can have more freedom and flexibility to achieve your best body.
Wrap Up
Aging skin is natural, but you can try to reduce its effects with radiofrequency skin tightening. Techniques such as Thermi use radio waves to heat the subdermal layer of your skin, removing small fat deposits while also stimulating the production of collagen to improve your skin’s elasticity and restore its youthful glow.
RF treatments often stand out over traditional skin tightening methods, like Botox, because it doesn’t require incisions, the recovery time is minimal, and it’s not just limited to improving the contour on your face. In addition, it can increase your confidence and allow you to feel more comfortable in your own skin.
Good candidates for skin tightening are positive, realistic, and feel insecure about wrinkles on their skin. Does this sound like you? Fill out your inquiry form here to see how PH-1 Miami can use RF skin tightening to take your body one step closer to your best body.
Sources:
Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation | American Cancer Society
Botox Procedures – How Botox Works, Injection Sites & More | American Academy of Facial Esthetics
