Radiofrequency, laser, pulsed light and ultrasound: the technologies to rejuvenate without punctures

What is facial radiofrequency and what is it for?

The doctor Flavia Boninaaesthetic doctor and director of the clinic that bears her name, points out that “radiofrequency is a treatment aimed at treating skin saggingsince it is effective in increasing the skin’s own collagen production. It is a great alternative for those patients who are afraid of needles or pain, also to prevent aging in young patients. It is indicated to improve mild sagging and small wrinkles». The doctor recommends one session a week for 6 weeks in a row and then maintenance, which can vary (once a month or up to once every 3 months), depending on each patient. The session lasts approximately 45 minutes. It is a treatment painlesswhich does produce a certain heat that can be relaxing. It is applied directly to clean skin, and after applying a conductive gel. The immediate result, according to the expert, “is an overall good-looking effect and without any recovery time, since you can continue with your usual life immediately afterwards. Subsequently, we recommend avoiding applying any type of cold to the area for the next 24 hours.

Within radio frequencies, there are various options, from Indibawhich is one of the most popular treatments, until Morpheus 8much more advanced, as Dr. Flavia Bonina comments. «It is a revolutionary radiofrequency treatment due to its versatility, whose 24 microneedles are inserted into the skin and once they are inside, they emit radiofrequency at their tips, that is, an intradermal radiofrequency, producing stimulation at the fibroblast level ( cell responsible for producing collagen) that generates large amounts of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, resulting in a significant improvement in skin sagging, and overall skin quality, as it reduces fine marks. acne, spots, pores, redness, and provides luminosity». The price also varies greatly, since a simple radiofrequency can cost about 75 euros per session, while Morpheus 8 has a price starting at 500 euros per session (according to the doctor, 3 sessions a year would be needed).

What are ultrasounds and what benefits do they have on the face?

The doctors Mar Mira and Sofia Ruiz del Cuetofounders of the Mira + Cueto aesthetic medicine clinic, point out that “ultrasound technology generates focused heat in certain areas through sound waves. Under ultrasound control it allows working on three pillars of skin support: dermis, superficial fat and muscle. The treatment consists of applying many micro-dots of heat at various levels to achieve more effective and uniform tightening and better compact the fat. Ultrasounds can be used on the body to treat fat located in areas such as the abdomen, knees or arms. On the face, ultrasounds serve “to combat sagginghelping to recover the jaw line, compact the area of ​​​​the dewlap and tighten the skin of complex areas such as the eyelids». Ultrasounds are applied using a head that slides circularly over the area to be treated. They tend to be more annoying than other technologies and may sometimes require local anesthesia.

To see the results, the doctors assure that “you have to wait about four months. It takes time for the body to generate enough collagen to achieve noticeable tension. And to this we must add that the results also depend greatly on the response capacity of each patient. After an ultrasound treatment there may be temporary redness, slight swelling or slight changes in sensation in the treated area (swelling). Regarding the number of sessions, it varies depending on the result obtained and the situation of each patient, but in general terms one every six months is recommended. As with radiofrequency, there are also various ultrasound options. Ultherapyknown as the only non-surgical facelift approved by the FDA, is the most advanced and its results last between 1 and 2 years. Its price is also higher (starting at 800 euros, per session) than other less powerful ultrasounds, for example, Accent Prime (starting at 190 euros, at Clínica Mira + Cueto).

Rejuvenation laser, what benefits does it have?

Popular for hair removallaser is also used for facial rejuvenation. The doctor Conchita Pinillaan expert in plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine, explains that “a laser light source can eliminate stains (brown or reddish), attenuate the wrinklesproduce collagen regeneration that improves saggingreduce the size of the poreimprove the scarsetc. There are different types of lasers: ablative and non-ablative, depending on whether they can remove superficial skin; There are lasers that are applied continuously or not, that are fractionated or non-fractionated; and there are light sources (pulsed light).” The laser is used to treat spots, scars and also to rejuvenate, because it helps increase collagen production. During the session the patient feels heat, which is generally easy to bear. Regarding the number of sessions, it varies depending on the objective of the treatment, whether to eliminate stains or rejuvenate the face, but at least 4-5 are recommended, which can be done weekly (except for more powerful lasers, which must be spaced further apart).

Dr. Pinilla warns “on some occasions, due to the effect of the heat, redness or burning of the superficial skin: first degree (erythema), or second degree (blister). For example, if we intend to eliminate lentigo, we must induce a superficial second degree burn, which will cause the skin to bulge and turn into a blister, or, depending on the laser used, the superficial skin disappears and exudes a liquid that can be thought to be It is pus, but it is not; Darkening may also appear in the burn area, then it will gently peel off. Not all pigmented lesions respond the same, sometimes they can become pigmented again, so sometimes higher powers or shorter times have to be used, producing superficial burns, which are restored without sequelae, except on some occasions and in high phototypes ( dark skin) some post-inflammatory pigmentation that will gradually disappear.

Facial IPL or pulsed light, what is it and what is it for?

Pulsed light, or IPL, is, according to the doctor Carmen Martinspecialist in aesthetic medicine, «a light source that has different wavelengths, depending on the filter that is selected, depending on the skin type. For lighter skin, a shorter wavelength is used and for darker skin, a longer wavelength is used. It is used for rejuvenation facial, stimulate collagen formation, close pore, improve redness (both rosacea and small veins, telangiectasias). It is also a treatment anti-stainsince pulsed light has the absorption capacity of the areas that have the most melanin. With different sessions, hyperpigmentation can be reduced by capturing light to remove the accumulation of melanin, or, if we want to remove a lesion quickly, a small burn can be made, which is a very superficial scab that, when it falls, eliminates the stain. During the session, which usually lasts about 20 minutes, the patient will feel heat, which is generally tolerable. The number of sessions varies depending on the objective, for facial rejuvenation, the expert recommends a minimum of 4, and to eliminate a spot, depending on the evolution of the hyperpigmentation. It is advisable to space them 15 days apart. It is important to start treatment once the tan has disappeared from the skinwhich is why autumn and winter become the ideal times to undergo pulsed light. It is also essential to use very high sun protection after the session and in the following days. Its price: from 150 euros/session.

In any case, all of these treatments are compatible with each other, and it is best to put yourself in the hands of a professional who can recommend the best one according to your personal needs and objectives.