Radio frequency waves in cosmetology

Probably every woman has heard about radio wave lifting. And yet, not everyone will be able to answer how it works and what it affects.

Radio wave lifting

The price of beauty is high - most modern women spend huge amounts of money to remain outwardly young and attractive. They want to please men not only in their youth, but also after 30, 40 and 50. The huge beauty industry comes to their aid: cosmetologists, dermatologists, plastic surgeons and other specialists.

Some ladies prefer to solve problems radically and go under a scalpel, others opt for less invasive procedures. Radio wave skin lifting is just one of these: its impact is stronger than, for example, peelings and masks, but not as serious as surgery.

The first devices working on this principle appeared back in the 80s of the 20th century in the USA, so we can say that this method has been used for quite a long time and has been tested by time. It became an alternative to photorejuvenation, which was not suitable for skin containing large amounts of melanin. The fact that the devices were developed a long time ago does not mean at all that this technique is outdated, since over the past years it has received serious development and has been improved.

Operating principle

Its work is based on thermal, that is, thermal effects on different layers of tissue. Increasing the temperature of the water and, accordingly, the skin promotes increased production of collagen, a protein responsible for the density, elasticity and strength of the skin.

It is always present in the human body, but over the years its quantity gradually decreases, and this is responsible for the thinning and loss of turgor in various tissues of the body. By stimulating its additional production, the rejuvenation process begins, which can continue for several months after a comprehensive course, which includes radio wave lifting.

The devices used to carry out the procedure are divided into monopolar, bipolar and multipolar types. The power of the impact and the direction of the waves depend on this - in the latter case they diverge through the tissues in all directions.

Face and body

Radio wave lifting can also be used to restore clear contours of the figure. Moreover, it is often used after liposuction as maintenance therapy. The results are truly impressive: a course of 8-10 procedures is often enough to obtain a noticeable and long-term effect.

Radio wave lifting tightens the skin, makes cellulite and stretch marks less noticeable, solving many aesthetic problems without the involvement of surgeons and heavy rehabilitation, and at a more affordable cost. However, it is also wrong to consider it a panacea; when muscle tissue sag, it is completely powerless.

As for the face, radio wave lifting can make facial wrinkles, nasolabial folds, crow's feet, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation much less noticeable. With its help, you can improve the contour of the upper lip and remove the double chin.

In addition, unlike some other procedures, RF lifting does not depend on the season or solar activity, since photosensitivity is not observed after it.

When is it necessary?

Since the range of problems solved is quite wide, radio wave face or body lifting can be used at different ages. With its help, they treat post-acne, wrinkles, slow down photoaging, and work with body contours. It is especially effective in the neck and décolleté area, which instantly reveals a woman’s age.

Recent studies have shown that RF lifting gives the best results at a relatively young age, when collagen is just beginning to break down, and it is quite easy to stimulate its restoration. Nevertheless, even in the group over 60 years of age, this technique showed its effectiveness.

Before carrying out a course of procedures, a consultation with a dermatocosmetologist and sometimes some other specialists is required. Therefore, under no circumstances should you prescribe it to yourself. In addition, it is important to choose a competent cosmetologist who will perform radio wave facial lifting. In this case, patient reviews should be of decisive importance, while the issue of cost will be less important: in no case should you skimp on your health and beauty.

Safety

During the procedure, the tissues are heated only to 42 degrees, that is, only warmth is felt. No burns or discomfort, no irritation or redness. Radio wave lifting is completely safe, but has a number of contraindications, which will be discussed a little later. However, even this relatively low temperature can make the skin more dehydrated if it is prone to dryness. Therefore, before the procedure, a special moisturizer must be applied. This allows, firstly, the device to operate more efficiently, and secondly, it protects against burns. So this step cannot be neglected.

No other preparation is required, there is no need for anesthesia, and there is no need for long and painful rehabilitation. The absence of hematomas and edema allows us to say that in some situations radio wave lifting should be preferred to surgery. Unfortunately, there are contraindications for this procedure. But there are very few of them.

Pain and consequences

The most important advantage of RF lifting is that the patient feels absolutely no discomfort during the procedure. Painlessness, absence of negative consequences and relative speed of implementation allow this procedure to be carried out almost during a lunch break. It is not surprising that despite its rather high cost, radio wave lifting is popular.

Contraindications

Unfortunately, there are also conditions in which such a procedure is completely prohibited. These include:

1. hypertension and diabetes mellitus;
2. endocrine diseases and tumors;
3. pregnancy at any stage and lactation;
4. thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities;
5. dermatological diseases (rosacea, acne, etc.) during exacerbation;
6. viral infections;
7. lupus, scleroderma, including a history of it;
8. implants in the treatment area.

In any case, the condition of the body is assessed by a physician, and it is better to entrust the final decision to a specialist. The patient’s task in this case is to honestly talk about his problems and answer questions. In the end, if you have doubts, you can always find some options, because there are procedures that can replace radio wave lifting.

Despite the fact that this procedure is not invasive, it must be done in a clinic, not a beauty salon, and under the supervision of doctors. And the cost will depend in this case on several factors, such as the level of professionalism of the doctors, the type of device used, the treatment area, etc.

Prices have fallen somewhat recently, and now in Moscow you will have to pay from 3 to 10 thousand for one facial procedure. For some, 6 procedures are enough, others may be advised to increase the course to 12 - in this case, you can count on a significant discount.

Reviews

The "before" and "after" photos speak for themselves. They clearly show how effective radio wave face lifting is. Reviews, however, are also worth reading. This will allow you to really assess how necessary the procedure is, and maybe it’s worth using something softer, because the course will definitely cost a pretty penny. As a rule, patients are satisfied: the effect can sometimes be seen immediately after the first procedure. And then everything only gets better, because the technique has a cumulative effect that can last one and a half to two years.

As you know, any procedure will have a more long-term effect if the woman herself makes some effort to take care of herself. When it comes to fighting the signs of age, it is imperative to moisturize and nourish the skin well, cleanse and tone it properly. It is very important to choose the right and high-quality decorative cosmetics, which do not necessarily have to be expensive.

There is no point in naming specific brands, because only the woman herself can understand what suits her and what does not. Some people prefer Korean brands, whose anti-aging products often contain mucin protein, obtained from snail mucus. Some people prefer familiar European companies that use more traditional ingredients. Nowadays, Israeli cosmetics containing Dead Sea minerals and oils are also popular on the market.

In a word, there are care products for absolutely every taste and budget. But, of course, not a single cream will give the same result that can be achieved with the help of hardware cosmetology. And although it is impossible to carry out radio wave lifting at home efficiently and safely, you can undergo a maintenance procedure in the clinic once every six months or a year, and also combine it with some other techniques, which together give an even longer and more impressive effect. A dermatologist-cosmetologist can tell you about this in more detail, but there are also schemes that have already become traditional.

Supportive procedures

Quite often, radio wave lifting is combined with biorevitalization and mesotherapy. This way you can achieve even more impressive results, especially when it comes to the face. The effect on the skin from all sides gives a simply stunning effect - the oval is restored, the turgor increases. As a result, the face appears smoother and reflects light better for a youthful glow.

RF lifting is also often combined with laser skin resurfacing. This helps get rid of slightly more serious problems than the procedure itself allows.

With proper care, high-quality hardware procedures provide a long-term effect, so the course does not have to be repeated so often. But age and gravity still make themselves felt - even radio wave lifting is not always able to cope with serious changes. Reviews from doctors are clear: when sagging affects soft tissues, only surgery will help to achieve a significant effect.

Among several modern methods of rejuvenation, facial radiolifting (RF lifting, radio wave lifting, thermolifting, RF lipolysis, cryolifting) is becoming increasingly popular. This is a non-surgical method of aesthetic cosmetology using radio frequency radiation, thanks to which you can achieve in a short period of time a very noticeable immediate result of a facelift with a delayed cumulative effect, get rid of bags and bruises under the eyes, nasolabial folds, wrinkles and sagging skin, and restore skin elasticity. Like all other methods, radiolifting has its indications for use and contraindications.

Radio face lifting and its principle of operation

The method is based on the principle of local heating of certain layers of tissue. Thermal (thermal) effects are carried out using electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency range (Radio Frequency) and cover:

1. middle, main layer of skin or dermis;
2. the lower, deep layer of skin - subcutaneous fatty tissue or hypodermis.

In this case, the top layer of skin heats up very slightly, and the muscle tissue does not heat up at all. This minimizes pain during procedures and eliminates burns. The affected area is captured using pulsating vacuum capture technology, which increases the safety of the method.

Collagen protein is responsible for the elasticity, density and strength of the skin. Over the years, its amount in the human body decreases, which leads to changes in the structure of the skin and its sagging. Exposure of tissue to high temperatures, up to 44 degrees Celsius, leads to the destruction of old collagen molecules, as well as compression and compaction of those collagen molecules that have been preserved. Visually, the skin becomes more elastic.

The destruction of collagen triggers the body's defense reaction and stimulates additional production of new protein, which gradually replaces the old one. Activation of the synthesis of your own collagen leads to improved blood circulation, renewal of the epidermis (skin), restoration of its elasticity and density, and smoothing of wrinkles. This process lasts several months.

History of the method

The positive effect of high-frequency current on the human body was first proven by the Serbian-born physicist engineer Nikola Tesla in the second half of the 19th century. Its discovery began to be used in the first half of the 20th century when carrying out various physical procedures.

In the 80s of the 20th century, American cosmetologists developed a special radio wave lifting technique. The principle of its operation resembled the principle of operation of a microwave oven. During the experiment, a special chip was attached to the rejuvenated area of ​​the subject’s skin, and a polar electrode was attached to the leg, through which microwave radiation passed. As a result, electromagnetic waves passed through the entire human body. In this case, the most noticeable heating occurred at the location of the chip.

During the experiment, the main drawback of radio wave lifting at that time was discovered: the inability to control the temperature at the treatment site during the procedure led to serious burns of the skin. It was also difficult to determine the exact time of exposure to electromagnetic radio waves due to different pain thresholds in different women. Some patients lasted less than a minute, others – several minutes. And the result of the cosmetic procedure directly depended on the time of exposure.

What is an RF lifting device?

Over time, thermolifting devices have been improved and modernized. Devices have appeared that allow you to concentrate energy on the desired area of ​​​​the skin and avoid burns.

A modern RF lifting device consists of a hollow attachment and electrodes. Using a vacuum, like a suction cup, a part of the skin is captured into the cavity, which is affected by electromagnetic pulses. There is a sharp increase in the temperature of the treated area. Anesthesia is not provided during the thermolifting procedure.

Indications for use

Cosmetologists recommend carrying out the radio wave lifting procedure both as an independent procedure and as a concomitant one, after using other rejuvenation methods: facial cleansing with vacuum and ultrasonic methods, radio lifting, liposuction, various plastic surgeries, in combination with biorevitalization, mesotherapy, laser skin resurfacing, as well as after sharp weight loss while following a diet.

Indications for using the RF lifting method are:

1. the appearance of deep facial wrinkles around the mouth and eyes;
2. increase in nasolabial folds;
3. double chin formation;
4. increased skin sagging;
5. enlarged pores;
6. weakening of facial muscle tone;
7. drooping eyelids;
8. bags under the eyes;
9. decreased clarity of the contours of the face and lips;
10. hyperpigmentation;
11. post-acne.

Contraindications to the use of the method

Like any other rejuvenation methods, this one also has contraindications. These include:

1. age under 18 years;
2. oncological diseases, malignant tumors even in the stage of regression;
3. pregnancy, lactation period;
4. any inflammation and (or) skin diseases, including psoriasis, dermatoses, eczema, acne; permanent makeup, tattoo in the affected area;
5. very dry skin;
6. viral infections, including acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections;
7. hypertension, diabetes mellitus;
8. herpes in the active phase;
9. diseases of the endocrine system;
10. the presence of various medical metal implants and devices, including a pacemaker, defibrillator, hearing aid, dental implants; silicone implants;
11. AIDS, HIV, weakened immune system;
12. poor blood clotting, thrombosis;
13. scleroderma, lupus;
14. excessive tanning;
15. the presence of scars and keloids.

At what age is it better to carry out the procedure?

The maximum effect of the radiolifting procedure is very noticeable at the age of 35 to 40 years. At this time, the skin already has problems, but there is still a resource for vigorous regeneration. Improvement in skin condition is noticeable after the first procedure, the effect lasts from 3 to 4 years.

The older you are, the faster your body destroys old collagen and the slower it produces new collagen to replace it - this takes from 2 to 3 weeks. Therefore, at 50-70 years old, it will be possible to see the result of the procedure at least after the second session, but even in this case it will be worse than for a 40-year-old.

Types of RF lifting

Depending on the nature of the radiation, the power of exposure and the direction of radio frequencies, there are 3 types of radio lifting:

1. Monopolar lifting. With this type of lifting, a very strong effect is achieved, but it can be done no more than once.
2. Bipolar lifting. It has a more gentle effect than monopolar. Two active electrodes are located under the handpiece, so their effect extends only to the area under its base. The procedure can be performed about 6 times.
3. Tripolar (multipolar) lifting. The newest type of procedure performed using multiple electrodes. During the session, the cosmetologist switches the poles, which allows you to act alternately on different areas of the skin.

You need to take the choice of a specialist extremely seriously, otherwise the consequences can be very sad. This could be, for example, a distortion of the face due to uneven time exposure to different areas of the skin. It is better, however, to turn to professionals. And then the procedure will bring only positive emotions and impressions, making the skin elastic, young and beautiful. The RF lifting method has an optimal ratio of effectiveness and price; moreover, it rejuvenates the body by stimulating a person’s internal reserves without the introduction of foreign substances, which will not lead to “withdrawal syndrome” - deterioration of the skin condition after completion of all procedures.

According to a number of eminent cosmetologists, RF lifting (radio wave lifting) is the future of the entire cosmetology industry. Not so long ago, when talking about rejuvenation methods, surgical operations were immediately mentioned as a kind of elixir of youth that could significantly delay the manifestations of aging. But RF technologies quickly attracted attention, because their effect is comparable to plastic surgery, but at the same time much less traumatic. Today, hardware cosmetology is more than capable of fully competing with plastic surgery.

RF lifting is a whole group of procedures based on the impact of electromagnetic pulses. This is one of the popular modern techniques, as it does not require a rehabilitation period and provides noticeable and lasting results. Under the influence of radiofrequency energy, tissues are heated, due to which stretched and old connective fibers of the tissue are reduced. This activates collagen production, which makes the skin more elastic and youthful. Thus, with the help of a radiofrequency pulse, it is possible to launch natural rejuvenation processes.

Radio frequency waves affect both the middle and lower layers of the dermis, including subcutaneous fat, reducing all wrinkles, removing bags under the eyes, improving facial tone and skin tone.

1. Monopolar radio wave lifting. It is carried out once. It gives a rejuvenating effect, copes well with local fat deposits and cellulite in the abdomen and thighs, and does not harm the body.
2. Bipolar radio wave lifting. A very gentle and gentle way to correct age-related changes. Skin tissues are heated only to 450 C, there is no magnetic field, unlike the monopolar type. The impact of the procedure is felt, but there is no pain. Full results can only be observed after a whole course of procedures.
3. Tripolar radio wave lifting is a relatively new procedure that involves the participation of several electrodes in the process, which ensure switching of poles. In this case, RF energy acts at different depths of the skin. This technique combines all the advantages of the previous ones.

The appropriate type of RF lifting is selected individually depending on the area of ​​the procedure and the goals set.

Thermolifting is also based on radio wave radiation. Many people believe that radio wave lifting and thermolifting are the same thing, but there are still a number of differences:

1. different temperatures of exposure: with the radio wave method, skin tissue is heated to 40° C, and with thermolifting up to 60° C;
2. frequency and current strength: thermage (thermolifting) involves the work of high-frequency monopolar energy, with RF lifting it is much weaker;
3. During thermage, a complete change in the structure of collagen molecules occurs.

1. Using a radiofrequency lifting device, energy is activated directly in the problem area. There are no side effects.
2. Unlike other hardware methods of rejuvenation (IR sources, laser, IPL, etc.), skin burns are excluded, since the reaction occurs only between the epidermis and dermis, muscle tissue is not affected.
3. The result after the procedure is usually noticeable immediately.
4. This is a painless technique that does not require anesthesia.
5. Does not require a complex preparatory period and rehabilitation.
6. After the procedure, the appearance of scars is excluded.
7. Suitable for any skin type on any area of ​​the face and body.
8. Ideally combined with other cosmetic anti-aging procedures.
9. No risk of infection.
10. High accuracy allows you to influence a specific area without affecting neighboring ones.
11. There are no allergic reactions.
12. The procedure ideally copes with age-related skin changes and corrects the figure.

1. Ptosis is sagging of facial tissues due to gravity.
2. Cellulite.
3. Stretch marks.
4. Photoaging of the skin.
5. Sagging skin after losing weight.
6. Bags under the eyes.
7. Loss of skin elasticity.
8. Pronounced nasolabial fold.
9. Expression and age wrinkles.
10. "They squawked."
11. Fat deposits, folds on the skin.
12. Withering, sagging skin.
13. Scars, cicatrices, post-acne.

1. Presence of a pacemaker.
2. Diabetes.
3. A number of autoimmune diseases.
4. Common infectious diseases.
5. Pregnancy and lactation.
6. Various viral infections.
7. Period.
8. Oncological diseases.
9. Severe forms of hypertension.
10. Gold threads on a certain area of ​​the body.
11. Chronic diseases in the acute phase.
12. Implants, pins, metal elements in the affected area (plates, knitting needles and other surgical prostheses).
13. Damage to the skin in the area of ​​the procedure.
14. Severe neurological diseases accompanied by fits and seizures.

1. Immediately before the procedure, you should not use creams and decorative cosmetics.
2. It is important to thoroughly clean the skin in the procedure area.
3. Contact lenses and jewelry must be removed.
4. If radio wave lifting is performed on the face, then men need to shave before the procedure.

Depending on the zone in which the radio waveguide will be exposed, the cosmetologist selects the necessary program. A unique gel conductor is applied to cleansed skin, after which the cosmetologist massages the skin with special attachments (maniples) along the necessary lines. The procedure can take from 15 minutes to 2 hours. After radiolifting, you can immediately see the effect of tightened and rejuvenated skin of the face or body. During the session, warmth and slight tingling are felt.

RF lifting, performed by an experienced specialist using modern equipment, almost never ends in side effects. Sometimes redness and slight swelling occur, but this goes away literally within two days.

After the procedure, you should avoid various physical activities, going to the sauna, bathhouse, solarium and exposure to ultraviolet rays. Otherwise, skin hyperpigmentation may occur.

To achieve a lasting result, depending on the individual characteristics of the skin, it is recommended to carry out the procedure 5–8 times with an interval of 12 days. The first visible results will be noticeable after 1 session. The rejuvenation process will begin fully after 21 days, when active production of collagen and elastin fibers begins. After completing the full course, to maintain the effect, it is important to visit a cosmetologist’s office once a year.