Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee, I overheard someone at work mention a facelift treatment that did not involve cutting or injections (like BOTOX). Apparently, this treatment can be performed during their lunch hour? Do you know what this might be? Signed, Curious Dear Curious, There is a safe non-invasive anti-wrinkle treatment that goes by several names such as "non-surgical face lift," radiofrequency, radio waves, or Thermage. Radiofrequency or Thermage is non-surgical and works by delivering pulses of energy to the lower layers of skin tightening and contracting the skin. The results can be immediate for some people, but may be gradual for others, perhaps not noticeable for several months. A second treatment may be needed if no results are evident after six months. Thermage treatment is quick, taking less than an hour with possible redness or swelling that may last a few hours. According to InfoPlasticSurgery at www.infoplasticsurgery.com, results can last 5-10 years. Because Thermage is so new (since 2000), only time will tell how long the results will really last. InfoPlasticSurgery gives the cost for a full face treatment around $2000 - $5000; partial face treatment (forehead, cheeks, or neck) about $1000 - $3000. InfoPlasticSurgery does not consider Thermage to be a replacement for a face lift. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) at www.aad.org, Dr. David J. Goldberg and his research team helped the device get FDA approval. Dr. Goldberg points out that the radiofrequency treatment can help non-treated areas of the face: "If we treat the skin of the forehead using non-invasive radiofrequency, we can actually lift the eyebrows and enhance the appearance of the eyes – making the eyes look more open, less tired and more alert." "The non-surgical facelift will not replace treatments like botulinum toxin [BOTOX], which treats wrinkles caused by muscle contractions, or filler agents, which are still the treatment of choice for smile lines, but it gives patients another safe and efficient option for treating aging skin. With so many new treatments being introduced every year, it's vital that patients consult with their dermatologist to choose the treatment that will work best for them," advised Dr. Goldberg. For more information see www.aad.org Here is a comparison of Thermage and face lifts on treatment, recovery, and cost: THERMAGE: non-invasive treatment takes less than one hour with possible redness or swelling for a few hours or days. Results last 5-10 years, costs $2000-$5000. FACE LIFT: major surgical procedure takes several hours, with days or weeks to recover. Results last about 5 years, and costs $7,000 to $9,000. |
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| Anti-Wrinkle and Anti-Aging Remedies |