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Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:36 am  |
Another Lifescript.com article - (I thought this might be helpful for those of you who have an allergic reaction to knives. I haven't heard of some of these things!)
Get a Face-Lift, Without the Knife
5 Alternatives to Cosmetic Surgery
By Edward C. Geehr, MD
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Defying age with skin treatments is as old as Cleopatra. But modern treatments are a bit more complicated than mud from the Nile. Since early 2000, new ways to spruce up your skin have arrived, and old techniques have been improved upon, offering a treatment buffet that might just spare you the knife (or at least delay the need for a conventional face-lift). Which one is right for you?
1. Fractional Laser Resurfacing
Originally known as Fraxel laser treatment, this procedure evolved from earlier laser technology used for ablative (tissue-destroying) therapy. The Fraxel laser emits an invisible beam about the width of the human hair, the energy of which is absorbed by water. The laser light passes through the epidermis (the outer skin layer) and disrupts the collagen structure in the dermis (the skin’s second layer). Since the epidermis has little water, that layer is spared. Instead, the water-rich dermis absorbs most of the laser energy.
Before each hour-long treatment, the doctor applies a cooling gel to lessen pain. If your doctor uses the Fraxel treatment, he will also apply a blue dye before the procedure, but newer systems don’t require the dye in order to be effective. Most patients say the procedure is uncomfortable, but they rarely require an injected anesthetic. Afterward, your skin will be red and swollen for two to three days.
During each of four or five treatments spaced four weeks apart, millions of microscopic wounds are created, but only 20% or so of the entire surface is damaged with each treatment (hence the name fractional), in contrast to ablative resurfacing that affects the entire epidermis. Undamaged neighboring cells immediately begin their innate repair process. Cells in the dermis respond by laying down new collagen and elastin, strengthening and making the skin more elastic. The tiny wound in the skin surface rapidly plugs itself, eliminating any need for wound care. In fact, you can put on makeup right after treatment.
2. Capacitive Radiofrequency (CRF)
Introduced in 2002, the use of radiofrequency (electromagnetic) waves to remodel skin and its underlying tissue is an advance that can be used alone or in combination with fractional laser resurfacing. As radiofrequency energy is delivered through the skin, it follows the path of least resistance and tracks along fibrous threads that run through the underlying fat. The nearby fat cells are spared from the tightening heat damage which could otherwise lead to a pooling of blood under the skin, skin deformities or lumps.
The single outpatient treatment lasts from 20 minutes to an hour or more, as the energy creates a brief, heating sensation. A cooling spray is applied before, during and after each application of energy to minimize discomfort and protect the skin surface. The treatment stimulates new collagen production for several months, and improvements in skin contour last for six months or longer. Side effects include mild redness, swelling, blisters, and, in some cases, surface bumps and irregularities.
As with fractional laser resurfacing, your doctor’s expertise will, in part, determine results. Yet even in the hands of skilled practitioners, the outcome can vary. Many doctors feel radiofrequency treatment is the most effective non-invasive option for tightening the cheeks, jaw line and chin, provided your tissue responds to the procedure. No one knows yet how to identify the best candidates, but at this point the risks seem minor compared to those of more invasive surgical procedures.
3. Intense Pulsed Light
A well-accepted skin treatment using an intense form of white light known as IPL (intense pulsed light) is one of the newer forms of facial rejuvenation. IPL delivers energy to both the superficial (epidermis) and deep (dermis) layers of the skin. Clinical studies indicate that IPL can smooth skin, remove age spots, freckles, and even visible blood vessels. IPL may tighten skin and improve fine lines but, because it does not affect wrinkles, it’s not really an alternative to a face-lift. Still, it’s something to consider in combination with radiofrequency therapy.
4. Thread Lift
A minimally invasive surgical procedure, this treatment provides many of the benefits of a face-lift without the risks or recovery time. The hour-long procedure is done under local anesthesia while the surgeon places several specially designed threads beneath the skin. The threads are similar to surgical sutures but have barbs that catch on surrounding tissue to keep it tethered in its new, tightened position. Typically anchored above the hairline, the thread lifts sagging skin and tissue, tightening the cheeks, mid-face, jowls, or eyebrows (depending on where the threads are used).
Potential side effects include bruising and swelling that can last for a week. And some patients can see or feel the sutures under their skin. A thread lift may last only two to three years. Also, results vary depending on the patient and the surgeon’s experience.
5. Fat Grafting
Another minimally invasive outpatient technique, fat grafting has been around since the evolution of liposuction in the 1980s, although it has only gained widespread acceptance in the past 10 years or so. Fat cells are removed from the patient’s abdomen by liposuction. While the patient is under local anesthesia or a nerve block, the fat cells are then injected by needle into the cheeks and chin to recreate fullness and contour. Fat injections can plump the lips (the most common request) or correct a hollow-eyed look.
Harvesting the fat cells, properly preparing them to be injected, and injecting the correct amount so that the cells will survive and maintain the new look requires extreme care. And the procedure may need to be repeated every year or two. You may experience some bruising, swelling and tenderness for a few days, and you should restrict activity and avoid exertion (including facial gestures) to protect the grafted fat cells. Cool compresses may help alleviate pain and swelling. Complications include irregular skin appearance, lumps, asymmetry, and infection. Surgeons recommend at least three months between procedures so the earlier graft can fully heal.
Not all patients are candidates for non-surgical approaches like thread lifts and fat grafting. An excessive degree of skin and sagging simply cannot be reversed without surgery. And the treatments won’t fix drooping eyes or reshape a nose. The success of the procedures depends on the experience of the doctor and the appropriateness of the procedure for a given patient. But in the right hands, any one or combination of the four therapies can produce, if not Cleopatra’s face, then a lovelier version of your own – without the slice of a scalpel.
What's Your Cosmetic Procedures IQ?
Feel like getting "freshened up"? More people are opting for cosmetics procedures to take years off their appearance. From lasers to tummy tucks to microdermabrasion, there's a dizzying array of options. But how much do you really know about this growing industry? Take this cosmetic procedure quiz to find out.
The information contained onwww.lifescript.com (the "Site") is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for advice from your doctor or healthcare professional. This information should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical condition. Information and statements provided by the site about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. LifeScript does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, third-party products, procedures, opinions, or other information mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by LifeScript is solely at your own risk. |
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Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:31 pm |
| I saw the procedure of Thread Lift on TV. Its rather scary, poking a metal thread under your facial skin across your chin to hold everything in place - I think its pretty invasive comparing to the rest laser or light therapy. I for sure will never up to that one. |
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Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:46 pm |
| I have had both IPL treatments and radiofrequency treatments 4 or each.they did nothing. Fraxel is VERY expensive and does not always work.Threadlift is a new procedure; I would not want to be a guinea pig for that.I have seen pics and its like tightening a drawstring on a bag,you just get wrinkles in other areas like your neck ...and the threads can break and sometimes you can see thenm theru your skin! Most people who get a threadlift get a full on FL whortly thereafter.It aint cheap either its like 5000. Fat grafting can be good although it is often combined with a facelift. Getting the best dr. is essential and also its how your own body reacts to it.Sometimes it doesnt last and it is very expensive also.It can run 5000. |
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Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:30 am |
I enjoyed reading your notes.
It's great to know that we can at least see what options we have when. Thanks 
| bkkgirl wrote: |
Another Lifescript.com article - (I thought this might be helpful for those of you who have an allergic reaction to knives. I haven't heard of some of these things!)
Get a Face-Lift, Without the Knife
5 Alternatives to Cosmetic Surgery
By Edward C. Geehr, MD
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Defying age with skin treatments is as old as Cleopatra. But modern treatments are a bit more complicated than mud from the Nile. Since early 2000, new ways to spruce up your skin have arrived, and old techniques have been improved upon, offering a treatment buffet that might just spare you the knife (or at least delay the need for a conventional face-lift). Which one is right for you?
1. Fractional Laser Resurfacing
Originally known as Fraxel laser treatment, this procedure evolved from earlier laser technology used for ablative (tissue-destroying) therapy. The Fraxel laser emits an invisible beam about the width of the human hair, the energy of which is absorbed by water. The laser light passes through the epidermis (the outer skin layer) and disrupts the collagen structure in the dermis (the skin’s second layer). Since the epidermis has little water, that layer is spared. Instead, the water-rich dermis absorbs most of the laser energy.
Before each hour-long treatment, the doctor applies a cooling gel to lessen pain. If your doctor uses the Fraxel treatment, he will also apply a blue dye before the procedure, but newer systems don’t require the dye in order to be effective. Most patients say the procedure is uncomfortable, but they rarely require an injected anesthetic. Afterward, your skin will be red and swollen for two to three days.
During each of four or five treatments spaced four weeks apart, millions of microscopic wounds are created, but only 20% or so of the entire surface is damaged with each treatment (hence the name fractional), in contrast to ablative resurfacing that affects the entire epidermis. Undamaged neighboring cells immediately begin their innate repair process. Cells in the dermis respond by laying down new collagen and elastin, strengthening and making the skin more elastic. The tiny wound in the skin surface rapidly plugs itself, eliminating any need for wound care. In fact, you can put on makeup right after treatment.
2. Capacitive Radiofrequency (CRF)
Introduced in 2002, the use of radiofrequency (electromagnetic) waves to remodel skin and its underlying tissue is an advance that can be used alone or in combination with fractional laser resurfacing. As radiofrequency energy is delivered through the skin, it follows the path of least resistance and tracks along fibrous threads that run through the underlying fat. The nearby fat cells are spared from the tightening heat damage which could otherwise lead to a pooling of blood under the skin, skin deformities or lumps.
The single outpatient treatment lasts from 20 minutes to an hour or more, as the energy creates a brief, heating sensation. A cooling spray is applied before, during and after each application of energy to minimize discomfort and protect the skin surface. The treatment stimulates new collagen production for several months, and improvements in skin contour last for six months or longer. Side effects include mild redness, swelling, blisters, and, in some cases, surface bumps and irregularities.
As with fractional laser resurfacing, your doctor’s expertise will, in part, determine results. Yet even in the hands of skilled practitioners, the outcome can vary. Many doctors feel radiofrequency treatment is the most effective non-invasive option for tightening the cheeks, jaw line and chin, provided your tissue responds to the procedure. No one knows yet how to identify the best candidates, but at this point the risks seem minor compared to those of more invasive surgical procedures.
3. Intense Pulsed Light
A well-accepted skin treatment using an intense form of white light known as IPL (intense pulsed light) is one of the newer forms of facial rejuvenation. IPL delivers energy to both the superficial (epidermis) and deep (dermis) layers of the skin. Clinical studies indicate that IPL can smooth skin, remove age spots, freckles, and even visible blood vessels. IPL may tighten skin and improve fine lines but, because it does not affect wrinkles, it’s not really an alternative to a face-lift. Still, it’s something to consider in combination with radiofrequency therapy.
4. Thread Lift
A minimally invasive surgical procedure, this treatment provides many of the benefits of a face-lift without the risks or recovery time. The hour-long procedure is done under local anesthesia while the surgeon places several specially designed threads beneath the skin. The threads are similar to surgical sutures but have barbs that catch on surrounding tissue to keep it tethered in its new, tightened position. Typically anchored above the hairline, the thread lifts sagging skin and tissue, tightening the cheeks, mid-face, jowls, or eyebrows (depending on where the threads are used).
Potential side effects include bruising and swelling that can last for a week. And some patients can see or feel the sutures under their skin. A thread lift may last only two to three years. Also, results vary depending on the patient and the surgeon’s experience.
5. Fat Grafting
Another minimally invasive outpatient technique, fat grafting has been around since the evolution of liposuction in the 1980s, although it has only gained widespread acceptance in the past 10 years or so. Fat cells are removed from the patient’s abdomen by liposuction. While the patient is under local anesthesia or a nerve block, the fat cells are then injected by needle into the cheeks and chin to recreate fullness and contour. Fat injections can plump the lips (the most common request) or correct a hollow-eyed look.
Harvesting the fat cells, properly preparing them to be injected, and injecting the correct amount so that the cells will survive and maintain the new look requires extreme care. And the procedure may need to be repeated every year or two. You may experience some bruising, swelling and tenderness for a few days, and you should restrict activity and avoid exertion (including facial gestures) to protect the grafted fat cells. Cool compresses may help alleviate pain and swelling. Complications include irregular skin appearance, lumps, asymmetry, and infection. Surgeons recommend at least three months between procedures so the earlier graft can fully heal.
Not all patients are candidates for non-surgical approaches like thread lifts and fat grafting. An excessive degree of skin and sagging simply cannot be reversed without surgery. And the treatments won’t fix drooping eyes or reshape a nose. The success of the procedures depends on the experience of the doctor and the appropriateness of the procedure for a given patient. But in the right hands, any one or combination of the four therapies can produce, if not Cleopatra’s face, then a lovelier version of your own – without the slice of a scalpel.
What's Your Cosmetic Procedures IQ?
Feel like getting "freshened up"? More people are opting for cosmetics procedures to take years off their appearance. From lasers to tummy tucks to microdermabrasion, there's a dizzying array of options. But how much do you really know about this growing industry? Take this cosmetic procedure quiz to find out.
The information contained onwww.lifescript.com (the "Site") is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for advice from your doctor or healthcare professional. This information should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical condition. Information and statements provided by the site about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. LifeScript does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, third-party products, procedures, opinions, or other information mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by LifeScript is solely at your own risk. |
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Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:52 am |
| lucyluc wrote: |
| I have had both IPL treatments and radiofrequency treatments 4 or each.they did nothing. Fraxel is VERY expensive and does not always work.Threadlift is a new procedure; I would not want to be a guinea pig for that.I have seen pics and its like tightening a drawstring on a bag,you just get wrinkles in other areas like your neck ...and the threads can break and sometimes you can see thenm theru your skin! Most people who get a threadlift get a full on FL whortly thereafter.It aint cheap either its like 5000. Fat grafting can be good although it is often combined with a facelift. Getting the best dr. is essential and also its how your own body reacts to it.Sometimes it doesnt last and it is very expensive also.It can run 5000. |
Great to get your take on this, Lucyluc. I think a lot of people reading the article might be in the dark like me. It sounds like a good medical procedure but we don't really know what works or not. |
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