Battle of the TIGHTENs!

Radiofrequency technology is very popular for skin firming and fat melting. Thermage is the best known non-surgical skin tightening treatment, but is painful and results are delayed for 3-6 months.

We have had the unique opportunity of testing out two alternative radiofrequency devices, one from Bangkok and the other from Korea. Both units were on trial at Simply Aesthetic this week. My plan was to bravely volunteer for a half face test!

Part one: Korean machine from Skin MD. This came with three components: skin scraper, iontophoresis and radiofrequency. The right side of my face was treated with this machine. The treatment took 15 minutes. A warm probe was moved over my face with a special creams the gliding base. The process was pretty comfortable (just a little hot around the eye area).

Result: some lift of my cheek with slightly better definition of my jawline. My patient could see a difference, but she did not know which side I'd had done! Twelve hours later, after a night's sleep, the effect was gone. Both sides were identical once again.

Yes, I know I wanted the other side done with the other machine, but clinic was busy. It had to wait. And wait. Finally, a whole three days later, it was finally my turn!

Result: My jawline was more defined. My open pores were reduced in number and size. We'd seen great results for listing and reduction in depth and length of wrinkles too:

Before

After

The decision was quite simple really. The machine we chose offered more practical features:

• Instant lift (results lasting after 6 sessions)
• Painless treatment
• Rejuvenation mode to improve skin texture and colour
• Reduction of pore size
• Expulsion of comedones & blackheads (no extraction!)
• Fat melting
• Facial contouring (literally mould the face over the 6 sessions)
• Abdominal skin firming
• Tighten "bye-bye" upper arms
• Vaginal tightening (yes, really!!!)
• Surgical applications

And so we finally acquire the DermaRF Vision 7 Radiofrequency machine. It was delivered this afternoon.

We head off to Bangkok for training in November (from 7th evening to 10th). Mery & Ivy included. The inventor of the machine, Plastic Surgeon Dr Chanchai will instruct us on how to get the best out of the device, by changing the settings and handpiece to that most appropriate to the clinical situation.