Non Surgical Facelift is the nomenclature that many medical technology companies, skin clinics, plastic surgeons and med spas are using to market laser and radio based skin tightening treatments like Thermage, Fraxel, ActiveFX, DeepFX, and CO2 laser resurfacing. So, what’s the difference?

The non surgical facelift has been the holy grail of cosmetic medical technology. Themage, DeepFX, ActiveFX, Fraxel, laser skin tightening… all have some promise and effects but a surgical face lift will always be the most dramatic. (Of course surgical facelifts have more potential downside; scarring and that overly ’stretched’ look among them.)

Non surgical facelift technologies have come a long way and there is a tremendous amount of research being conducted that goes beyond the current base of Fraxel and Thermage and into bioengineering and potentially even nano-technology that reverses the aging process on a cellular level.

Thermage: Radiofrequency energy is directed just below the surface of the skin into the collagen with no surgery, injections, or incisions. The process heats and contracts the existing collagen and thereby stimulates the production of new collagen.

Fraxel: Fraxel treatments use thousands of tiny beams of light to establish microscopic treatment zones that treat only a predetermined percentage of skin while leaving normal surrounding skin to help with the healing process. This “fractional” treatment allows the skin to heal much faster than if the entire surface of the skin were treated at once. Using microscopic treatment zones also allows certain Fraxel® Lasers to penetrate more deeply into the dermis than traditional lasers. This deeper penetration helps to stimulate collagen production helping to make the skin appear more youthful and counteract the effects of aging. Generally, 3 – 5 treatments spaced 2 – 4 weeks apart are recommended.

DeepFX: Fractional DeepFX laser treatments involve treating only a fraction of the skinʼs surface, leaving bridges of untouched skin to aid in the regeneration process. (similar to Fraxel) Each laser pulse removes a narrow column of tissue while simultaneously treating surrounding skin. This deep heating causes immediate collagen remodeling. The result is softening and smoothing of wrinkles and scars, and improved skin texture.

ActiveFX: Active FX laser treatments cover about 80% of the skin’s surface. (Fraxel treats only about 20% of the skin’s surface at a time.) The 80% coverage by Active FX seems to provide a good balance of desired results with amount of down-time. (ActiveFX and DeepFX are cosmetic lasers that are offered by the same company.)

Thermage, ActiveFX, DeepFX, and Fraxel Laser skin resurfacing results are both immediate and progressive. If you respond well, you will see some improvement within days of the procedure as your skin begins to heal. Good skin care can extend the benefits of  your Themage or Fraxel non surgical facelift.

CO2 Laser Resurfacing: CO2 lasers are generally older and only recommended in the hands of the most specialized plastic surgeon or cosmetic dermatologist that ’specializes’ in these treatments. CO2 laser resurfacing burns away the entire top layers of the dermis and has significant disadvantages compared to Thermage, Fraxel, ActiveFX and DeepFX.

Medical Spa MD has more information about Thermage vs Fraxel as well as ActiveFX, DeepFX & CO2 laser resurfacing.

Post from: Laser Clinic MD

Non Surgical Facelift: Thermage, Fraxel, DeepFX & CO2 Laser Resurfacing

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19 Fractional CO2 Laser Tips From Cosmetic Dermatologists

Fractional CO2 laser ablation has become increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional plastic surgery. So, What do Cosmetic Dermatologists & Plastic Surgeons want to know about C02 fractional treatments?

Treating Specific Cosmetic Medical Conditions:

1. Reliants Ultrapulse DeepFx is best for deep vertical lip (smokers) lines, deep and moderate wrinkles, and acne scars. Ultrapulse DeepFx treats deep and stimulates more collagen and ablates more tissue for more tightening.

2. Reliants ActiveFx is better for more superficial pigment and more surface textural problems

3. Stria (Stretch Marks): Use ActiveFx: 80-100 mj, density 1-2 (use Density 2 for thicker Stria). Do NOT use the DeepFx for Stria.

4. Melasma: Medical experts are not sure it will work and do not recommend treating Malasma at this time. This may change however since they’re experimenting with it. Melasma is a whole topic by itself.

5. Tattoos: DeepFx might be good for resistant Tattoos

Pre / Post Treatment Tips for Fractional C02 Laser Treatments:

1. Use mild moisturizers to avoid acne flare-ups from heavier moisturizers.

2. You don’t need to use Aquaphor or Vasoline for this. Mild moisturizers are enough.

3. Be aware of the Lanolin in the Aquaphor.

4. Using Aveeno Water Gel can get you one less day of downtime!

5. Post TotalFx Care: Use “Soaks” every 3-4 hours. (What type of soaks? Saline Soaks (saline and gauze)? How long do you soak every 3-4 hours?)

6. Post Care: Cold packs or Zimmer Cooler for 30-45 min after treatment.

7. Valtrex for all patients. (One case of disseminated herpes on the face is not good.) Might use Acyclovir since it costs much less (Four Dollars at Walmart!).

8. Call all patients by phone the next day, this makes you both feel better and lessens complaints.

9. Don’t give pain medications after treatment. If they have pain, you want to know about it and see them. They should not have pain for more than a few hours. Prolonged pain suggests infection: bacterial, viral, or fungal.

10. Pliaglis can be mixed with cetaphil cleanser or cetaphil moisturizer. 90% Pliaglis and 10% cleanser or moisturizer.

11. Experts worry about possible Lidocaine toxicity so excercise care. Compounded Lidocaine works as well or better than Pliaglis. Pliaglis costs $60 per treatment. Compounded Lidocaine costs about $6 per treatment.

12. Experts do NOT routinely prescribe oral antibiotics unless indicated for an acne outbreak. Keflex 500 mg TID, Doxycycline 100 mg BID, Erythromycin to prevent outbreaks.

13. Sunscreens: Make sure they use everyday after skin is healed. Wear your hat and stay out of sun.

14. Use a good UVA blockers.

Fractional C02 lasers can produce great results if used correctly like any medical technology, it’s not perfect.

Post from: Laser Clinic MD

Fractional C02 Laser Clinic Tips

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