RADIOFREQUENCY FACIAL TREATMENT

Radiofrequency facial treatment offers an alternative to surgical lifting.

Radiofrequency facial and body treatment, has gained its rightful place in the field of remodelling and firming, due in part to the use of new equipment, which utilises not only monopolar energy, but also bipolar and tripolar energy, up to the latest generation devices that can have up to 8 energy poles.
Radiofrequency is especially used for facial treatment in aesthetic medicine. Other treatments that use radiofrequency are those aimed at remodelling the body, and hair loss.

As far as radiofrequency facial treatment  is concerned, it is now recognised as a technique with a lifting effect on the skin that reduces wrinkles and rejuvenates the skin as a whole.

What is radio frequency treatment?
Technically, radiofrequency is the number of waves per second of electric and magnetic fields within the radio wave portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. 
Radiofrequency, uses the resistance of the tissue within the various layers of the skin to transform electromagnetic energy into heat energy.
To transform radiofrequency energy into heat energy, certain variables such as the size of the area to be treated, the depth of the tissue to be treated and the thickness of fat present must be taken into account.
Unlike lasers, radiofrequency presents less risk and damage to tissue and melanin. Radiofrequency facial treatments can be recommended for all skin types.

How does radiofrequency facial treatment work?
The energy emitted causes a build-up of heat in the skin tissue.
This heat causes the most superficial layer of the skin to contract, resulting in a reduction in wrinkles. 
Another important beneficial effect of the treatment, which has been reported, is the stimulation of collagen and elastin production, as well as improving blood circulation. These results provide an overall rejuvenation of the skin.

What to do before radiofrequency facial treatment?
You should avoid irritating the skin. So no sun, or tanning beds.

What happens during radiofrequency facial treatment?
Your personal medical history should be taken into account to make sure that there are no health problems that prevent you from having the surgery. For your personal medical history, photos before and after the treatment will also be taken to make sure the results meet your expectations.

The procedure

You may need to wash your face with warm water and soap before treatment; washing your face thoroughly reduces the risk of interference with the application of the treatment.
A topical anaesthetic cream can then be applied before treatment to help slightly numb the skin; the cream will be removed with cleansers before treatment.
Depending on the equipment in use, your doctor will draw a grid that will allow for greater precision and effectiveness of the treatment. A gel may be applied to facilitate the movements of the device's handpiece.
Once the treatment is complete (it lasts 30 to 60 minutes and up to 8 treatments may be required to have a complete cycle) a soothing gel or lotion may be applied.
Immediately after the treatment, you will feel the skin pulling, but this feeling will go away naturally during the months after the treatment.

How long will it take to recover from radiofrequency facial treatment?
Immediately after treatment you may experience temporary redness of the skin. Most people can return to work and normal activities immediately after treatment.
Your doctor may recommend using soothing lotions, creams or gels, or possibly a soothing cooling mist to apply to the treated skin.

What are the risks and potential complications of radiofrequency facial treatment?
Risks. The most common risks are:

• Overheating. During treatment there may be overheating of the treated area. This discomfort is reduced by the use of devices that have an integrated cryogenic cooling system so that the handpiece is either refrigerated or emits a cooling spray before, during and after the application of the radiofrequency.
• Treating pain. Your doctor may use anaesthetics, such as a topical anaesthetic cream applied to the skin prior to treatment, or prescribe painkillers to relieve any pain.

Side effects. The most frequent side effects are:

• swelling
• redness
• bruising
• blisters

These usually go away in a few days or weeks.
Complications.
One of the most serious complications of radiofrequency facial treatment is the overheating of the deep epidermal tissue . This can cause fat atrophy or over-firming, resulting in hollow formations in the skin.
It is therefore essential that the doctor is properly trained and certified to perform the radiofrequency facial treatment.

What to do after radiofrequency facial treatment?
There is no special care required, but your doctor may advise you to use:

• creams, gels or soothing lotions
• moisturising cooling mist
• cold water or ice packs

Who should not undergo radiofrequency facial treatment?
Individuals who are healthy and do not have skin diseases or infections in the treated area can undergo radiofrequency facial treatment. There are few medical reasons why people should not undergo treatment. Radiofrequency facial treatment is not recommended for those who:

• have hypersensitive skin
• are pregnant; it is recommended to wait until after giving birth before undergoing treatment.
• have a pacemaker
• have artificial metal prostheses, such as hip joints
• have artificial heart valves
• have dental metal plates

Who can perform radiofrequency facial rejuvenation?
Only doctors who are experts in the use of this technology in aesthetic medicine.

Thanks to its skin rejuvenation, body remodelling and skin firming effects, the future of radiofrequency facial rejuvenation is bright. The equipment available is becoming increasingly sophisticated and the results more and more as desired. Thanks also to the constant scientific research in this field.