Thermolift facial

Every self-respecting woman dreams of looking as attractive at 40 and 50 as she did in her youth. It is clear that it is almost impossible to look 18 even at 30-35 years old, it will be something from the realm of fairy tales. However, nothing prevents a woman from making her face more well-groomed and toned, and at the same time “throwing off” a dozen years (if possible). Moreover, in modern cosmetology there are many ways to regain youth and beauty. And one of such fairly safe and effective methods is facial thermolifting. In this case, skin tightening is achieved by stimulating the internal forces of the body.

Indications for the procedure

When you hear the saying "age does not make you look good" in your youth, you hardly understand its relevance and justice. Firm, glowing skin with a healthy blush is perceived as a given in youth, and girls are in no hurry to think about the fact that the time will come and everything will change.

Many physiological processes in adulthood are not as active as in youth. And no matter how much we resist it, the skin begins to gradually fade. Maintaining the skin in tone was entirely dependent on collagen and elastin, which were produced in the body in sufficient quantities.

All the unattractive age-related changes that we see on our face occur because the process of forming new collagen fibers slows down, and the old ones lose their elasticity over time and seem to unwind. Externally, this manifests itself in the form of a change in the contour of the face, which slightly "sags" downwards, drooping eyelids over the eyes, the formation of bags and wrinkles (small ones around the eyes and larger ones - on the forehead and nasolabial triangle), the appearance of the so-called double chin.

If you contact a cosmetologist with these problems, you can receive an offer to undergo a thermolifting procedure. This procedure is similar to a sauna for the face and body, and is based on the thermal effect. However, its action does not have a negative impact on the upper layers of the skin (epidermis), warming the skin at a depth where collagen production occurs. This increases the elasticity of old collagen fibers, which, under the influence of heat, begin to twist and contract, tightening sagging skin, activating the production of new collagen and fibroblasts (young skin cells).

Thermolifting can be performed on different areas of the body where correction is required. It can be used to tighten the skin, increase its elasticity and firmness, refresh the complexion, remove unwanted wrinkles, make stretch marks and cellulite less noticeable, and reduce the subcutaneous fat layer.

Indications for facial thermolifting include problems such as:

• drooping of the eyelids over the eyes (ptosis),
• the appearance of crow's feet around the outer corners of the eyes,
• drooping corners of the lips, outer corners of the eyes, drooping eyebrows due to decreased skin turgor,
• pronounced heterogeneity of the skin,
• expression wrinkles,
• large and small wrinkles on the forehead and between the eyebrows,
• an unclear facial contour with a tendency for the skin on the cheekbones and chin to sag,
• facial asymmetry due to age-related changes,
• an unhealthy, too pale or sallow complexion in an otherwise healthy background.

Sometimes thermolifting of the face is also used to correct its shape in cases of excess weight.

In principle, thermolifting is nothing more than one of the rejuvenating procedures, which means that any woman (and sometimes men) after 35 years old, when the first signs of skin aging appear, be it fine wrinkles on the face or dryness and decreased skin turgor on the hands, may be interested in it.

Preparation

Thermolifting of the face is not only a safe, but also a low-trauma procedure. Its effect is non-invasive, since skin piercing is not required. In this case, the penetrating abilities of sound and light beams are used.

Electromagnetic radiation in the range of 300-4000 kilohertz affects the skin at different depths, heating its internal layers to a temperature of 39-45 degrees. This temperature regime eliminates the possibility of skin burns, which means that additional protection is not required.

The procedure does not cause pain, which means that anesthesia is not required. In principle, local anesthesia can be administered prior to the fractional thermolifting procedure if desired.

It turns out that no special preparation for the procedure is required. First, the cosmetologist talks to the patient to find out his wishes and the absence of contraindications to the chosen procedure. At the same time, the skin condition is examined.

Based on the information received, the doctor can offer one or another type of facial thermolifting, and the patient's task is to choose the procedure that seems more acceptable to him. The cosmetologist will not force the procedure or insist on certain manipulations, so it is important to evaluate all the pros and cons in advance before deciding to intervene in the body, even if it is minimally invasive.

This completes the preparation for the procedure. All that remains is to evaluate the advantages of the device and materials used for thermolifting.

Materials for thermolifting

Thermolifting of the face is a hardware cosmetology procedure that is performed using specialized equipment. In beauty salons today you can find thermolifting equipment from both domestic and foreign manufacturers with different pricing policies. The price for the rejuvenating procedure is set depending on the cost of the equipment.

Foreign-made devices:

• Japan - Anti Lax and IntraGen
• Italy - Renew Evolution and Renew Face
• Turkey – ReAction, Soprano XL ICE and SharpLight
• USA – Palomar and Titan
• South Korea – Atlas

Russian-made devices – AirLax, Cryo Shape Pro 008, IPL+RF, MagicPolar, Scarlet RF, Thermage, V–Shape Pro. The first and last devices on the list are universal devices that can be used for both thermolifting and vacuum facial massage. Aluma and Accent XL devices are also considered bipolar thermolifting devices with the ability to perform vacuum massage.

The second device on the list is multifunctional, since it can be used to perform both cryolipolysis and thermolifting, with the latter procedure being performed using the combined action of radiofrequency and infrared rays.

The Russian IPL+RF device can also perform several procedures. These are photorejuvenation, photoepilation and thermolifting. In principle, this drug combines laser and radiofrequency thermolifting.

MagicPolar is rarely used for thermolifting of the face, since the device is multipolar, which means it can cause burns. In addition to thermolifting, this device is used for photochromotherapy.

The domestically produced SkinTyte device, like the American Titan and the Israeli SharpLight device, is designed to perform laser thermolifting procedures. Deep tissue heating is provided by infrared devices Sciton, Palomar and Max IR. But with the help of the Russian Scarlet RF device, it is possible to perform fractional thermolifting, which is classified as a minimally invasive procedure.

To perform monopolar deep thermolifting (thermage), the ThermaCool TK device is mainly used.

Each device has its own application features, which you should familiarize yourself with before agreeing to the procedure. You should not expect that the salon will offer several types of equipment to choose from, therefore, in order to choose the right option, you should look for information about thermolifting devices on the Internet and choose the salon that uses the equipment that meets your requirements.

In addition to modern thermolifting devices, a beauty salon will offer a special cream or mask necessary for the procedure. Here, too, it is worth paying attention to the manufacturer to avoid problems with allergic reactions to the components of cosmetics and ineffective cheap fakes. After all, the procedure is not cheap, who would want to pay for empty promises?

Technique facial thermolifting

The facial thermolifting procedure itself is not complicated. It can take from 25 minutes to 1 hour depending on the type of procedure and the size of the surface being treated. It does not require any special preparation, it is enough to thoroughly cleanse the face from dust, grease and cosmetics using gentle cosmetics.

After cleansing the skin of the face, markings are applied to it so that the doctor can more easily navigate the areas of action. In the same way, the effect of symmetry is achieved, which is very important when it comes to the face.

After a final assessment of the condition and characteristics of the skin, the cosmetologist sets the necessary parameters on the thermolifting device, which, in his opinion, will have the best effect in a particular situation.

Now it's time to apply special cosmetics that will help to additionally protect the skin from burns and facilitate the penetration of waves into the deep layers of the skin. This can be a cooling gel or a special cream for thermolifting. It is recommended to apply these products not only to the affected areas, but also to the entire face. Moreover, the use of thermal cream is not at all necessary. Under the influence of the waves, the skin will warm up without it.

After a short preparation, you can proceed directly to the wave action. The procedure should be carried out by a professional cosmetologist with a medical education. The movements of the thermolifting device along the skin should not be abrupt. Pressure or friction of the attachments on the skin of the face is not allowed.

At the end of the procedure, a soothing emulsion should be applied to the skin, which will help to quickly get rid of redness and swelling due to thermal exposure.

Types of thermolifting

If you dig deeper, you will notice that thermolifting is a generalized concept. Under this concept, cosmetologists have combined several types of procedures that have their own differences and features. Therefore, before deciding on a facial thermorejuvenation procedure, you need to carefully study the information about its various types and techniques, as well as the results that can be expected after a course of skin elasticity restoration.

Any type of thermolifting is based on the positive effect of heat on the processes occurring in the deep layers of the skin. At a young age, even normal body temperature is enough to activate them, but with age, when the production of collagen, responsible for skin elasticity, noticeably decreases, higher temperatures are required to stimulate the synthesis of this important substance. The effectiveness of facial thermolifting largely depends on the temperature indicator, but the use of temperatures above 45 degrees is fraught with the formation of burns, even though the surface layers are not exposed to thermal effects.

Let's consider the existing types of thermolifting for the face and body, their features and differences, as well as positive and negative aspects.

Radio wave, also known as radio frequency or RF-thermolifting

One of the most widespread thermolifting procedures, based on the stimulating effect of radiofrequency waves. This is a classic version of the procedure, which improves blood circulation in the affected area, which means that metabolic processes are optimized and the complexion is improved. In addition, electromagnetic pulses filter skin cells, destroying damaged elements and stimulating the synthesis and growth of new cellular structures. And most importantly, under their influence, the fading process of collagen fiber and elastin production is activated.

The warming effect on collagen fibers is produced at the level of the dermis and even a little deeper. The epidermis is not heated, which is facilitated by contact cooling. The depth of penetration into the dermal layers is regulated by the cosmetologist using the appropriate radio wave frequency.

This method of skin rejuvenation is considered the most gentle and least traumatic. Its action is based on the stimulation of natural skin regeneration processes.

The procedure can be carried out using several types of devices for RF-thermolifting of the face and body, in connection with which a distinction is made between:

• monopolar radiofrequency thermolifting, also known as deep skin thermage. It is performed using a single-electrode device, which can set a wide range of temperatures (39-60 degrees) and penetrate to a depth of about 4 mm.

The thermage procedure is considered the most effective for obvious signs of skin aging, its results last for 3 years. Treatment is limited to 1 procedure.

However, not everyone decides to undergo this procedure, since the deep exposure to high temperatures can cause painful sensations, and subsequently there is a risk of tissue fibrosis. In addition, temperatures above 45 degrees can cause overheating of underlying tissues and organs, which is generally unjustified and sometimes dangerous.

• bipolar radiofrequency thermolifting using two-electrode devices and a penetration depth of only 1 mm at a temperature not exceeding 40 degrees. In terms of effectiveness, this method is, of course, inferior to thermage, since it does not so much stimulate collagen fibers as activate the growth of fibroblasts, which is important when the first unexpressed signs of skin aging appear. But the procedure also has much fewer side effects.

The procedure does not require attaching the electrode to the body, which often scares patients who risk going for thermage. In bipolar devices, the electrodes are fixed to the holder, and the action of the device is strictly limited to the area between the electrodes. Such devices have the ability to be programmed according to the type of skin, depth and temperature of exposure.

The number of procedures for bipolar thermolifting is determined by the cosmetologist depending on the effectiveness. For some, 3 procedures are enough, while others have to spend money on all 10-12.

• Tripolar and multipolar radio wave thermolifting. The name itself suggests that the device has 3 or more electrodes. This scheme allows for a positive effect of radio waves at different depths of the dermal layer (from 0.5 to 3 mm). The temperature during the procedure is regulated within 39-45 degrees.

Laser thermolifting of face and body

This procedure is often called infrared thermolifting, since the devices used to perform it use infrared light rays. Even children know about the warming effect of infrared rays, but not everyone knows about the ability to remove harmful toxins and waste, while activating metabolic processes. Among other things, the laser is used for therapeutic purposes for skin rejuvenation and tightening.

For the procedure, devices of various powers are used, allowing to influence both the superficial layers of the skin, located at a depth of no more than 0.2 mm, and to penetrate deep to a distance of up to 4 mm.

There are 2 variants of the procedure IR and IRL. In the second variant of the devices, laser beams penetrate to a greater depth, which is relevant for obvious signs of skin aging and the fight against fat deposits. IR-thermolifting is usually sufficient for skin tightening.

Infrared beam treatment allows for several procedures to be performed at intervals of 2 weeks. The positive aspect of this method is the possibility of obtaining a concentrated beam, which can have a limited effect at depth, which is difficult to achieve using monopolar devices for radiofrequency thermolifting. And there is no tissue thickening, as with thermage, although the tightening effect lasts for 3 years, which is not always possible to achieve using bi- and multipolar devices for radiofrequency thermolifting.

The disadvantage of the laser thermolifting method of the face is the possibility of getting burns, although this is excluded if the cosmetologist approaches the matter professionally. The high cost of the procedure is also noticeably disappointing.

Currently, on the market of goods for cosmetology, you can find devices with which you can do 2 procedures: infrared and radiofrequency thermolifting. This gives you the opportunity to choose within one salon.

Fractional thermolifting

Sometimes this procedure is also called thermolifting with needles, since it combines the effects of mesotherapy and radiofrequency thermolifting. The device for fractional radiotherapy is equipped with the finest needles that can penetrate the skin without leaving marks. This minimally invasive effect is effective both for dry wrinkled skin and for correcting problem skin with a flabby structure and wide pores.

By means of needles, radio waves penetrate directly into the dermal layers to a depth of about 0.3-3.5 mm. At the same time, the epidermis remains unaffected, which means that the probability of burns is excluded. The power of devices for fractional thermolifting is regulated in accordance with the characteristics of the skin in the area where the effect is performed.

This correction has a prolonged effect. Restorative processes in the skin continue even 3 months after the procedure.

The therapeutic course involves 2 or 3 procedures, with an interval of 1 month between them.

The disadvantage of the procedure is some pain when piercing the skin. In addition, after it, microscopic hemorrhages can be seen on the body, the skin of the face can have a slight hyperemia and swelling. However, these symptoms disappear within the first hour after the procedure.

As for the hygienic side, there is nothing to worry about here either. The skin is thoroughly cleaned before the procedure, and the tips with micro-needles are intended for single use, after which they are disposed of.

Thermolifting at home

Thermolifting of the face is a rather expensive procedure, which, among other things, requires some time to find a salon with the appropriate technique and materials, as well as to conduct the actual session of radio or infrared therapy. And the number of sessions is not always limited to 1 or 2.

As an alternative to salon procedures, thermolifting of the face and body can be done at home. Perhaps the effect will be somewhat inferior to professional treatment, but this is a real saving of money and time.

The procedure at home can be carried out in different ways, which means you can choose the one that is more accessible. Although no one forbids combining different methods of thermotherapy.

In order to achieve a fairly quick effect, closest to the result of salon procedures, you can purchase a portable thermolifting device, which is easy and safe to use at home. The power of such a device will undoubtedly be lower than that of a professional one, so it is not very suitable for solving serious problems in the form of drooping eyelids and eyebrows, deep wrinkles, etc. However, the portable device fights the first signs of aging quite effectively without the risk of getting a burn.

The effect of thermolifting can be achieved without special equipment. The combination of light massage, tightening creams with hyaluronic acid and warm compresses can be confidently called one of the methods of non-equipment thermolifting.

When using this method, remember that facial massage for flabby skin should be done very carefully, as well as applying cream. Strong pressure or friction only stretches weakened collagen fibers, worsening the condition of the skin. It is better to give preference to actively driving the cream into the skin with fingertips, which has a good massage effect.

After a massage session with cream, a compress is applied to the problem areas, the temperature of which should be high enough, but not cause irritation or burns.

And finally, you can buy a special cream for thermolifting similar to those used in beauty salons. A good cream will give a decent result even without the use of hardware technologies. Cosmetics of this type are offered by many network companies "Avon", "Oriflame", "Mary Kay" and others. If you have doubts about this product, you can contact the same beauty salon or your cosmetologist for advice on choosing a cream.

Contraindications to the procedure

But let's return to the hardware thermolifting procedure of the face, the effectiveness and safety of which are being debated on the Internet. Let's talk about safety first, because this is the issue that should primarily worry a woman who seriously cares about her beauty and health.

On the one hand, the procedure seems quite safe. The skin is not damaged (except for micro-punctures during fractional lifting and a small risk of burns during laser therapy or thermage), no foreign synthetic substances are introduced into it. The effect is based on the stimulation of physiological processes of skin regeneration, which are natural for the body.

But what is harmless for the skin may not be so in relation to other organs and systems. And therefore, before you start looking for a suitable rejuvenation method and the best beauty salon to perform the procedure, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications to the procedure you are interested in. This precaution will help save time and avoid major disappointments.

What are the prohibitions regarding facial thermolifting? There are not so many of them, however, any of them can become the reason for the cosmetologist to refuse to perform a thermolifting session for you. A good, far-sighted cosmetologist is unlikely to risk his reputation and the health of the client.

Infrared and radio waves can provoke an exacerbation of such pathologies as:

• cardiovascular diseases in the stage of decompensation,
• malignant and benign tumors,
• skin dermatoses and autoimmune lesions such as lupus erythematosus and scleroderma on the face,
• infectious pathologies,
• epilepsy,
• endocrine system pathologies (diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease),
• varicose veins and thrombophlebitis,
• any chronic diseases (especially in the acute stage).

The procedure cannot be performed if there are any injuries or inflammatory elements on the facial skin, or if the client is emotionally unstable. Pregnant women and nursing mothers will also have to be patient, because in their situation any radiation is considered dangerous for the child.

The use of any metal implants is an absolute contraindication to the procedure, since electromagnetic radiation during the procedure will cause malfunctions in their operation.

It is not recommended to carry out several rejuvenation procedures at the same time (thermolifting and Botox injections, facial peeling, photorejuvenation, plastic surgery) as this will be a significant trauma to the delicate skin of the face. It needs time to recover.

As for age restrictions, a woman at any age is given the opportunity to feel young and attractive. You can go to a salon for thermolifting starting from the age of 18. Another question is how justified such a serious step is at such a young age.

Complications after the procedure

Thermolifting of the face is considered one of the safest procedures of hardware cosmetology. But even the most harmless manipulation in inept hands can become a time bomb. That is why it is worth checking the information about the chosen salon, the master who will conduct thermolifting sessions, the relevance and safety of the equipment and materials used several times before deciding on a serious step.

Negative consequences after the procedure are the exception rather than the norm. However, it is better to be informed about them.

Complications after facial thermolifting caused by thermal effects on the skin:

• hyperemia and slight swelling after RF and laser thermolifting (they disappear within an hour if the skin is not additionally exposed to sunlight, heat and other irritants),
• pinpoint hemorrhages and redness of the skin after fractional thermolifting (everything returns to normal within 24 hours).

These are all short-term phenomena that do not affect the effect of the procedure. However, if you do not follow the cosmetologist's recommendations for facial care after the session, do not be offended by prolonged hyperemia and irritation.

If after a course of several procedures the client does not feel the promised rejuvenation effect, the reason may be the unprofessionalism of the cosmetologist, who was unable to correctly select the parameters of the device power and the depth of penetration depending on the characteristics and condition of the skin. Although most often the problem lies in outdated devices for thermolifting, which are not able to provide the necessary settings.

If a burn or deterioration of the skin condition (atrophy) is detected after the procedure, the culprit will most likely be a lack of knowledge and experience or an irresponsible attitude towards the work of the cosmetologist who performed the procedure.

Regarding the question of whether electromagnetic radiation can affect the work of other organs, cosmetologists say that there is no need to worry. The power of the devices is not so great as to harm human health.

But on the other hand, the method of thermal skin rejuvenation using electromagnetic waves is still quite young. It is impossible to predict what consequences of the procedure may appear after several years.

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Care after the procedure

When the procedure of face lifting with the help of internal heating of the skin is finished, redness and swelling have gone, many people are tempted to correct the first results with the help of care and decorative cosmetics. But this is exactly what you should not do.

Let's remember what the cosmetologist said at the end of the session, what advice did she give on facial care after the procedure? That's right, no cosmetics, and especially no scrubs. Despite the fact that the symptoms of irritation have already disappeared, the skin remains very sensitive to external influences for some time. This means that cosmetics that did not previously cause an allergic reaction may well provoke symptoms of skin irritation during this period.

For the same reason, it is worth protecting your face from direct sunlight. Later, when everything returns to normal and becomes a source of pride, there will still be plenty of time for tanning. However, do not forget that excessive sun exposure itself leads to premature aging of the skin. If you want to prolong the effect of thermolifting of the face and body, you will have to be more careful with tanning, giving preference to resting in the shade.

Staying in the open sun, visiting a sauna or solarium will have to be postponed for at least 2 weeks. During this period, any procedures that can cause warming of the skin are contraindicated, including active physical exercise, after which you can see a hot, flushed face.

This is not an easy choice

When it comes to the safest and least traumatic methods of skin tightening, the choice is between thermolifting and ultrasound facelifting. In both cases, there is no need to make punctures in the skin, since both methods are based on stimulating wave action. The only difference is in the frequency of the emitted signals.

So what is better: facial thermolifting or ultrasonic lifting?

During thermolifting, we feel the impact of electromagnetic waves of radio and infrared frequencies of the light spectrum. In the case of ultrasound lifting, the impact is produced by sound waves, the vibrations of which also cause heating of the skin.

Warming of the skin can be carried out at a depth of up to 4.5-5 mm, which gives a strong skin tightening effect, similar to plastic surgery, but the integrity of the skin is not violated.

Both electromagnetic and sound waves of a certain frequency are capable of restoring the elasticity of collagen fibers, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, removing harmful substances from the body, including toxins that negatively affect the appearance and condition of the skin.

However, experienced cosmetologists recommend thermolifting of the face to women under 35-40 years old, whose signs of aging are not so pronounced. But ultrasound, which can safely penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin without damaging them (it is not for nothing that the ultrasound method is used in medical research to diagnose internal organs and the processes occurring in them), is recommended to combat deep wrinkles and other serious problems that arise mainly after 40-45 years. In addition, ultrasound is recommended for tightening not only the face, but also the neck, the appearance of which leaves much to be desired with age.

As for the safety of the methods, any wave action is harmless to a certain extent. Strict control of the radiation frequency, the depth of penetration into the skin layers, and the duration of the action are important. It is not for nothing that there are restrictions on the number of procedures and the length of time intervals between sessions. Although scientists claim that the radiation frequencies used in medicine and cosmetology do not harm health, however, prolonged exposure to even safer sound waves (compared to infrared and radio radiation) can have unpleasant consequences.

In principle, the result of ultrasonic lifting is identical to deep thermage, although the probability of burning the underlying layers of the skin is significantly lower, because the temperature of tissue heating does not exceed 45 degrees. As for the prospects and long-term effect, the progress of the results of thermolifting and ultrasound exposure is observed for another 3-4 months after the course of procedures, but the effect of the latter lasts almost twice as long (up to 5 years).

But on the other hand, the effectiveness and safety of wave therapy for skin aging largely depends on the professionalism of the cosmetologist performing the procedure, the quality of the equipment and cosmetics used, the preparation of the face for the procedure and subsequent skin care after the cosmetology session.

Experts' opinion

Reviews of cosmetologists about facial thermolifting are as varied as the opinions of clients of beauty salons who have tried the procedure on themselves. Specialists are divided into three camps. Some successfully practice facial thermolifting and are quite satisfied with the result. Others, based on their own experience, doubt the effectiveness and safety of the procedure. Still others flatly refuse to use thermolifting in their practice, based on the fact that the technique is still very young and it is difficult to foresee the consequences of its use in the long-term projection.

All specialists agree on one thing - the best results of all types of thermolifting are given by deep thermage on monopolar devices, allowing to make even deep wrinkles and pathological pigmentation almost invisible. And the higher the temperature of heating the inner layers of the skin, the more pronounced the effect will be.

However, none of them can deny the fact that overheating of the skin can cause fibrous changes in it, as a result of which the dermis thickens, which causes difficulties in the long term, when after several months or years a repeated correction of the skin will be required. After all, even plastic surgeons do not always undertake to work with skin that has become rough and has lost its elasticity.

For this reason, many cosmetologists prefer a non-invasive facelift procedure using sound waves (ultrasonic lifting), which, in their opinion, cannot give such side effects as thermolifting of the face. And as for the clients of beauty salons and clinics, they are their own boss and are free to make their choice based on the reviews of specialists and their own opinion.