radiofrequency treatment

Cellulite treatment results: when shall I expect them?

Cellulite treatment results: when shall I expect them?

It is quite natural to be excited about seeing results from your aesthetic treatment, be it an anti-ageing procedure, a cellulite removal treatment etc. And living in a fast paced world, where instant gratification is considered the norm, people want to see results from anything they undertake as soon as possible - ideally yesterday. But let’s see how realistic such expectations are and what to expect from your cellulite treatment, really…

How does radiofrequency work for cellulite reduction and skin tightening?

How does radiofrequency work for cellulite reduction and skin tightening?

Radiofrequency is a technology aiming to provide deep heat INSIDE the skin, as opposed to a hot shower, a hot pack or an infrared-emitting device that provides superficial heat ON the skin.

RF is used to stimulate processes in the dermis and hypodermis (second and third layers of the skin, respectively, while at the same time not overheating the epidermis (as is the case with a hot shower, a hot pack or an infrared lamp.)

Can I shower/bath after RF or cavitation treatment?

Can I shower/bath after RF or cavitation treatment?

Cavitation treatments are generally very safe and have a low rate of adverse reactions that would potentially prevent you from having a bath or shower. Usually the only problem experienced after cavitation treatments is mild redness / skin sensitivity, which dissipates within a few minutes or hours. As long as skin does not look/feel irritated, then you can have a normal - but not too…

Targeting the SMAS with RF microneedling, HIFU or radiofrequency: what a stupid idea

Targeting the SMAS with RF microneedling, HIFU or radiofrequency: what a stupid idea

Everyone interested in facial anti-ageing these days is talking about the SMAS. Suddenly everyone is an (ignorant) “expert” in the SMAS, just like everyone interested in cellulite or massage suddenly became an (ignorant) “expert” in all things fascia a few years ago. But what is the SMAS, why is everyone talking about it and why is it not such a great idea to target it non-surgically?

Does fibrosis always occur after lipo?

Does fibrosis always occur after lipo?

Fibrosis (i.e. internal scar tissue) is the result of inflammation. Not all Inflammation results in fibrosis, but quite often it does. Fibrosis after liposuction surgery can happen as a result of: Mechanical trauma, i.e. the movement of the liposuction cannula under the skin. This usually manifests as fibrous nodules (i.e. bumps / hard lumps) or occasional adhesions (skin stuck to underlying tissues and inhibiting movement / causing pain during movement). This kind of fibrosis is inadvertent…

Bring the cellulite to the surface: does this phrase mean anything?

Bring the cellulite to the surface: does this phrase mean anything?

The beauty industry is full of myths and inaccuracies and the field of cellulite reduction even more so. But this must be the stupidest thing I have heard: “This treatment moves the cellulite to the surface” from where it is (apparently) easier to remove. This gem has been uttered by a member of the “clinical training” team of a (pretty good) machine manufacturer. Now let’s make it clear once and for all: cellulite is a tissue. It cannot move deep into the body, it cannot move to the surface and in general it cannot not go anywhere. Cellulite doesn’t travel…

For non-surgical breast lift, it is the décolletage area that must be treated with RF

For non-surgical breast lift, it is the décolletage area that must be treated with RF

Breast firmness and perkiness depends mainly on two things: breast skin and Cooper’s ligaments. Together these two connective tissues help to maintain the shape and structural integrity of your breasts. Skin supports and keeps breast lifted from the outside, while Cooper’s ligaments (also known as the suspensory ligaments of Cooper or the fibrocollagenous septa of the breast) keep breast lifted from the inside. Younger breasts also have a higher proportion of breast tissue, as opposed to fat, and that also helps add to breast firmness by maintaining ‘turgidity’…

Does cavitation work on visceral fat (deep belly fat)?

Does cavitation work on visceral fat (deep belly fat)?

Visceral fat is the fat responsible for the so-called “beer belly” look. It is also the most unhealthy fat you can have, as it increases the risk if diabetes and cardiovascular disease. So it is no wonder people ask whether they can reduce visceral fat with any method. However, as we can see healthy eating, weight loss and exercise (and lately anti-diabetic injections) are the only ways to reduce visceral fat…

For cellulite reduction and skin tightening 12 sessions are ideally needed for best results

For cellulite reduction and skin tightening 12 sessions are ideally needed for best results

Why 12 (intensive but SAFE) sessions are necessary for cellulite reduction and skin tightening. In aesthetics there are currently two methods to effect skin tightening and cellulite reduction. The stimulative method is safe, pain-free and effective, as long as it’s strong (but never excessive), and as long as treatments are regularly repeated. As multiple treatments are needed, prices should be moderate. Typical examples…

Tried RF microneedling for cellulite? Didn’t work? Perhaps you should try a safer, less hyped-up, more effective treatment.

Tried RF microneedling for cellulite? Didn’t work? Perhaps you should try a safer, less hyped-up, more effective treatment.

The last few years there is the generalised perception by the public that if a procedure is very painful, very medicalised, very unsafe, very hyped up, very “instant”, very expensive or all the above, the rewards of taking the risk with such a procedure will be higher and cellulite or skin looseness will apparently disappear “forever” (there is no forever in this universe, let alone the human body). RF microneedling fits all the above requirements and people flock to have it for both body and face. Hence all the RF microneedling horror stories in the media lately, including one of the latest RF microneedling disaster stories here…

Can you do too much radiofrequency?

Can you do too much radiofrequency?

Too much radiofrequency treatment can refer to three things: too strong treatment; treatment taken too often; too many sessions. High intensity, deep-acting radiofrequency is the strongest SAFE skin tightening and cellulite removal treatment available today, and aims to naturally stimulate collagen synthesis, collagen contraction, lipolysis and circulation with intensive - but never excessive - deep heat. With such radiofrequency all you feel during treatment is deep heat in your hypodermis and dermis, i.e. the deeper skin layers…

RF microneedling for fibrosis after vaser liposuction?

RF microneedling for fibrosis after vaser liposuction?

When you suffer from post-lipo fibrosis you want to have a treatment that actually breaks down fibrotic collagen (i.e. progressively stronger massage and/or ultrasound) rather than one that creates more fibrotic collagen. On the other hand, RF microneedling is also based on burning the skin at 60-90ºC (depending on the machine used) and creating not that well “controlled” fibrotic collagen/“neocollagenesis” on the hypodermis and dermis. There is a reason that microneedling is called ‘collagen induction therapy’ and RF microneedling goes one step further in producing fibrotic collagen by combining needling with extreme RF heat…

Ultrasonic cavitation for cellulite: how does it work?

Ultrasonic cavitation for cellulite: how does it work?

It is widely accepted today that high-power, low-frequency ultrasound treatment represents one of the few effective methods of cellulite reduction and, to a limited extent, subcutaneous fat reduction too. It often provides good results on its own, if the right equipment is used with the right protocols, and even better results when combined with high-power, deep-tissue radio frequency. But what is ultrasound cavitation and how does it work?

Machine or expertise: what is more important when you choose a cellulite treatment?

Machine or expertise: what is more important when you choose a cellulite treatment?

The best technologies for effective AND safe cellulite reduction are deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency and deep-acting, high-power ultrasound cavitation. However, RF and ultrasound machines come in all shapes and sizes. But then the same applies to knowledge and expertise. A good therapist can squeeze the most out of a mediocre machine. On the other hand, a bad therapist can underutilise a really good machine or - worse - cause…

Radiofrequency / cavitation treatment for larger sizes: most machines are simply inadequate

Radiofrequency / cavitation treatment for larger sizes: most machines are simply inadequate

Radiofrequency and ultrasound cavitation treatments, when provided with good equipment and by a well-trained, experienced and knowledgable therapist, remain THE best technologies for skin tightening and cellulite (far better and safer than HIFU and RF microneedling). However, most such machines available on the market are of low to very low power and are suited more to face treatments or to tiny body areas, than larger body areas…

I’m currently losing weight, how often should I have skin tightening treatment to avoid skin looseness?

I’m currently losing weight, how often should I have skin tightening treatment to avoid skin looseness?

Weight gain leads to excess skin to accommodate the extra fat volume. As a result, when weight is lost skin looks loose. The best way to prevent skin laxity after weight loss is to have a skin tightening treatment whilst you lose weight. Of course, if you have already lost the weight and have skin laxity, you can always have a course of treatments then, but it is always best to arrive at your ideal weight with the least possible skin laxity. The most effective SAFE skin tightening technology is deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency…

Does radiofrequency kill fat cells? The facts and the myths.

Does radiofrequency kill fat cells? The facts and the myths.

The fact is the properly applied STIMULATIVE radiofrequency / ultrasound cavitation can both lead to adipocyte apoptosis, i.e. programmed cell death of fat cells. This is fat cell death that gradually happens over days and weeks with a course of SAFE treatments provided under the pain threshold (less than 41-43ºC on the skin surface or 43-47ºC in the deeper skin layers). This ensures safety of all other tissues, except fat cells, and in fact also stimulates fibroblast (collagen cell) function, which leads to skin tightening, especially with RF.

For an impressive non-surgical butt lift, the upper buttocks must also be treated with RF

For an impressive non-surgical butt lift, the upper buttocks must also be treated with RF

Droopy, loose skin on the buttocks is common these days, due to literally “sitting on our butt” too many hours a day, due to yo-yo dieting and also due to other factors.

Not everyone wants to go through the dangers inherent with brazilian butt lift surgery (BBL). Neither it is a wise idea to go for fillers / liquid BBL, which are ridiculously expensive for a 6-month fix and can ruin the buttocks for several months or years if something goes wrong. So many people opt for three technologies: either radiofrequency, the largely inefficient and ineffective HIFU or the barbaric RF microneedling for a non-surgical bum lift…