As we age, we start noticing things happen to our faces and to our skin that can be distressing. In addition to the natural process of aging, sun damage, genetics, and smoking can take their toll. We may start noticing jowls that were not there before, loose skin, or the beginning of the turkey neck. Don’t panic. Although these may be natural signs of aging, you do not have to live with them. FaceTite™ procedure is a tool to address all of it without scars.
What Is FaceTite™ Procedure?
FaceTite™ is a minimally invasive procedure that results in what some patients call a mini facelift. The best thing is that FaceTite™ can take years off your face without any stitches or scarring. If you want to fight the signs of aging and regain a more youthful appearance without surgery, then FaceTite™ may be the perfect solution for you!
How Does FaceTite™ Work?
FaceTite™ is non-surgical and tightens the skin from the inside out using the most cutting-edge technology in radiofrequency. During the procedure, radiofrequency is strategically targeted to heat the lower dermis layer made of mostly collagen, which tightens, tones, and rejuvenates the skin from inside the dermis.
The procedure provides some immediate tightening of existing collagen fibers but also prompts the body’s natural collagen production. Historically, devices that emitted radiofrequency were only able to provide limited results because they did not penetrate deep enough into the layer of the skin to affect as much change.
Video: All You Need to Know about FaceTite™ Procedure
How Is FaceTite™ Procedure Performed?
Before the procedure begins, the treatment areas are numbed using lidocaine injections. When the local anesthetic has sufficiently numbed the targeted areas, the tiny radiofrequency probe is inserted through a tiny pin-prick, just below the skin. As this probe is heated, the skin begins to contract causing it to tighten.
Further tightening will take place over the next 3 to 6 months because the body’s response to the heat being delivered via radiofrequency causes an inflammatory response that stimulates the new growth of collagen and elastin. This new collagen growth causes the skin to tighten even more.
Is FaceTite™ Done Together with Liposuction?
As we age, we start to have two enemies, the reduced production of collagen and gravity. When our collagen production slows down, our skin can sag and gravity does the rest. The fat in our faces that once made us appear more youthful, is now migrating downward creating jowls.
Many cosmetic surgeons perform FaceTite™ and liposuction together for optimal results. The terminology to describe this procedure is radiofrequency assisted liposuction (RAFL) and is normally used on the neck or jowls to provide a more defined, contoured look.
What Areas Can be Treated with FaceTite™?
- Neck;
- Jawline or jowls;
- Cheeks;
- The lines that run from the nose to the mouth so-called nasolabial folds;
- Can raise the brow line;
- Forehead;
- Around the eyes.
Is FaceTite™ as Good as Facelift?
Restoring the face to its natural form should be the goal of all surgical or non-surgical facial enhancement procedures. An expert surgeon can determine which signs of aging are present and how they are taking place.
It could be that the deeper structures of the face that support certain areas have loosened, such as the border of the jaw, the neck, or the cheek contours. Also, it could be that the facial skin is thinning and the patient is losing some of their facial fat, or their fat may be shifting downward due to gravity. All these factors have to be taken into account to determine which facial procedure is going to work the best to obtain the desired result.
If the structures that support the cheekbones or jawline are loose or the patient has lost a degree of facial fat, then simply tightening the skin will probably not produce pleasing results. A surgical facelift in this case would address the structure issues, and the tone of the skin, and allow for fat transfer to produce the best and most natural-looking results.
However, if the patient has lost a moderate amount of tone in the skin on the neck and around the jawline, creating jowls, and there is a loss of contour and definition between the jawline and the neck, FaceTite™ would be an excellent solution.
Is FaceTite™ Permanent?
Unfortunately, since there is no way to stop the aging process, the results will not be forever and permanent. The results of FaceTite™ will normally last between a year and five years.
Your skin should not return to pre-procedure laxity but you may see a reduction in overall tightness over the years, just like natural aging. The results of your FaceTite™ procedure can be extended through the continued use of quality skincare products and a good skincare routine. Always wear sunscreen and avoid extended periods in the sun. Smoking will shorten the longevity of your results.
Is FaceTite™ Safe?
FaceTite™ is an alternative to more invasive facelift surgery and all the associated risks and complications it brings. In the industry, FaceTite™ is considered one of the safest and most advanced skin contouring and facial rejuvenation procedures.
The FaceTite™ procedure was created with delicate areas in mind. It uses the same type of RF (radiofrequency) that is used in MRIs, Thermage, and other medical procedures that have been performed safely for years. It will provide excellent results in these sensitive areas without causing any underlying cellular damage.
It is essential to choose a board-certified surgeon who is skilled in the FaceTite™ procedure to ensure successful results and mitigate risks.
How Long Is the Recovery from FaceTite™?
It will take most patients between 4 to 5 days to recover. Bruising and swelling are normal for at least the first week but can be significant and is normally the worst around day 3. Some patients experience swelling for up to two weeks depending on which areas are treated and the patient’s unique characteristics.
Patients will need to wear a compression garment to help support the treatment areas and help keep swelling down. The surgeon will provide you with instructions for how long to wear the compression garment. A typical schedule consists of 3 days for 24 hours a day and then during the night for a couple of weeks. Patients can experience numbness for weeks following the procedure but this is temporary.
Normally, the treatment site needs to stay dry for 24 hours, and you are allowed to shower after that initial period is over. Patients can normally resume their regular activities after a week. If the swelling is not subsiding by this point, contact your surgeon.
How Can I Reduce Swelling after FaceTite™
After having the FaceTite™ procedure, you can expect swelling that can be significant. For many patients, the swelling only lasts a week and seems to peak for most patients on the 3rd day.
Some patients experience slight residual swelling for a few weeks. Make sure to wear your compression garments and apply ice according to the directions given to you by your surgeon. It is also recommended that you sleep in a very elevated position for 3-4 days following the procedure (on many pillows or in a recliner). If you are experiencing prolonged issues with swelling, a prescription for a tapered dose of steroids can usually help.
How Much Does FaceTite™ Cost?
The cost of FaceTite™ will vary depending on which areas and how many areas of the face and neck are being treated during the procedure. Also, the price will change if additional procedures are performed in conjunction with the FaceTite™ procedure. Usually, during a consultation with your cosmetic surgeon, you will discuss expectations and create a plan for achieving those results. The cost of the procedure should be a part of this discussion.
Is FaceTite™ Worth It?
This is a tricky question to answer because it depends on what is important to each patient. Usually, when you pay for something and you love it, you can easily say that it was worth it. To mitigate the risks of not getting the results that you desire, it is important to choose a cosmetic surgeon who has performed the procedure many times and has the credentials and reviews to show their expertise. A good surgeon will also be honest with you about what a certain procedure can or cannot do for you, or if the procedure is a good fit for you.
If the procedure can take 5-7 years off your face with minimal downtime, no stitches, without having to go under general anesthesia, and requires only a couple of weeks to recover, would you think it’s worth it?
If you are interested in the FaceTite™ procedure and learning if it is an option for you, call us today and schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Angelina. We will discuss the procedure and the results you can expect.
Dr. Angelina Postoev, MD, FACS, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon, and Christopher Ibikunle, MD, FACS, offer FaceTite™ treatments to men and women in Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Buckhead, and the surrounding areas of Atlanta, Georgia. Call SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics or reach out to us online to schedule a consultation today.
