Radiofrequency

October 2018 Issues
by David Reid, M.D.

Aging is not a disease; it is a natural progression of life. With it come factors that sometimes make us wonder who we are looking at in the mirror. Both women and men claim all the time: “I feel great, but I look tired and worn down. I can’t believe that’s me. I still feel like I’m 25!” With so many leading active, healthy lifestyles, and the average lifespan being the highest it has ever been, many members of the aging population want their outer appearance to match their inner energy. While some hold the stamps of time, such as gray hair and wrinkles, sacred, as well-earned badges of wisdom, others don’t want anything to do with it. They are concerned about the effects of aging and how it affects their confidence, especially in the face.

As we age, tender facial skin tends to sag, presenting fine lines and wrinkles. Sometimes the development of jowls and loose neck skin become problem areas, as well.  For the most part, this is all a result from the loss of three key components to youthful skin: collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.

The plastic surgery industry is replete with numerous methods to approach aging skin, and new procedures and products, which offer excellent results with less downtime, are more prevalent than ever. Years ago, surgery was the main and most effective option to lift and tighten the skin. The Hollywood crowd never seemed to age and magically managed to maintain a youthful and rested appearance—hence the rise of the full surgical face-lift.  While still a viable option for some with beautiful results, the face-lift has become a level two solution to solving more minor issues. Over the past 15 to 20 years, a huge growing trend has moved to the utilization of toxins, such as Botox and Xeomin, and fillers, including Juvederm and many other competitors to combat fine lines, wrinkles and even deeper crevices. However, with extensive research and development, now there is a new, nonsurgical breakthrough in facial aging that provides dramatic results; it’s Profound! (It’s actually called Profound.)

Profound technology moves away from lasers to the well-studied use of radiofrequency.  The Profound device offers a precision micro needling delivery method of radiofrequency energy, which stimulates the skin to create collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid—the three missing ingredients for younger looking skin.  Research on radiofrequency technology by renowned surgeons has shown an average of 37 percent change in skin tone and texture in comparison to a surgical face-lift and is an outpatient procedure, requiring only a local anesthetic, no invasive surgery and only “social” downtime due to minor swelling.

Does it Last? Patients see improvement as soon as two or three weeks following the procedure, with progressing improvement for up to six months. As a single treatment, radiofrequency has lasting power, which can be anywhere from five to eight years.

The radiofrequency technology can also be used to tighten sagging skin and/or reduce volume on body parts, such as arms, inner and outer thighs, and is clinically proven to improve the appearance of cellulite. This technology is called SubQ and offers results with little to zero down time.  
Let’s face it: Aging is inevitable. The great news is it’s getting easier and easier to defy it every step of the way. Beauty may only be skin deep, but with all the options available today, that skin can be radiant.

As always, you should be sure to undergo any such treatments with only a board-certified plastic surgeon, who will discuss the best options for you based on your personal needs and expectations.

Dr. David Reid has 26 years of experience as a practicing plastic surgeon and has been board certified for 23. He attended medical school at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University. Dr. Reid served 27 years in the US Navy and has been the Assistant Professor in Surgery at two medical schools. He's been in private practice for 17 years and was delighted when he and his lovely wife, Kathy, had the opportunity to make the permanent move to Hilton Head to provide the best in plastic surgery care to the residents of the Lowcountry. The Reids have three children, the oldest of which is a medical resident in the Southeast.