Even those who live healthily, care for their skin intensively and do not expose it to the sun too often, will at some point notice wrinkles. People who find the natural signs of aging of the skin uncomfortable often go to the cosmetic surgeon and have Botox injected under them or even a facelift. But there are now gentler methods of skin tightening. One of them is that Radiage.
What is the radiage?
Wrinkles are caused by the decreasing tension in the subcutaneous collagen fibers. The patient has several procedures to choose from when it comes to getting rid of unsightly fine lines, crow's feet and even wrinkles. However, most of them are associated with bleeding, more or less visible scars and time off for the patient.
A very gentle method, which is not to be feared, is called radiage. It was developed in the USA and has been used in medicine for several decades. The Radiage was originally developed only for the obliteration of varicose veins. German doctors have also been using them to smooth out fine lines since 2007. The manufacturer of the radio devices is Ellman International Inc., which has been selling its medical product since 1969. In this minimally invasive procedure, which was initially only approved for the skin and face, the connective tissue and the collagen it contains are heated with high-frequency radio waves so that the collagen fibers contract and the layer of skin above is tightened.
The scientists later discovered that the legs, arms, buttocks and stomach can also be treated with the radio frequency devices. The device can even be used to reduce cellulite. Radiofrequency therapy is similar to thermal lifting that has been used to date, but it is even gentler and cheaper than this. Radiage is extremely effective because, unlike firming skin creams that only treat the top layer of skin, it reaches the surface of the subcutaneous fat layer, where most of the age-related changes take place.
Function, effect & goals
Treatment goal of the radiage (Radiofrequency therapy) is to smooth the skin without first opening it surgically or injecting certain substances into it. As a result, scars do not form after the treatment, as is common for most aesthetic procedures.
The wrinkles disappear after the collagen fibers in the subcutaneous tissue have contracted (collagen shrinking). The energy generated by the radio frequency device heats the connective tissue to 48 to 50 degrees Celsius. Before the treatment, a cooling special gel is applied to the patient, which on the one hand prevents possible skin damage, but at the same time supports the hot-cold effect that causes the smoothing. Thanks to the gel, the patient does not experience the treatment as uncomfortable. However, during the radiation treatment he can also tell the doctor when his skin is getting too hot.
The radio frequency therapy also promotes the formation of new collagen (collagen neogenesis). This increases the skin-tightening effect in the weeks and months following the treatment. The first successes are already visible after the first treatment. Depending on the intensity of the desired wrinkle reduction, the radiage is carried out 2 to 4 times. There are at least 2, better still 4, weeks between the individual sessions. Depending on the size of the skin area to be treated, the treatments last 10 to 20 minutes. The procedure is carried out on an outpatient basis. The patient can go about his usual everyday activities immediately after the treatment.
The consequences of the radiage cannot be seen from the outside. The gentle skin smoothing method is particularly suitable for wrinkles on the face (around the eyes), on the neck and in the upper lip area. In addition, younger patients who have not yet developed too much wrinkles can have it done. Radiofrequency therapy is also used for varicose veins. During the endovenous treatment, an ultrasound measurement is carried out first. Then the doctor inserts a flexible probe through a puncture on the lower leg. The upper end of the probe emits high-frequency energy in a targeted manner and is slowly retrieved in the process.
The entire surrounding tissue is heated in such a way that the cell fluid evaporates and the vein is permanently closed. The varicose vein is then converted into connective tissue and broken down by the body. In this application, the endovenous radiage is similar to endovenous laser therapy. However, it works with a different wavelength and penetration depth. Another method for obliterating varicose veins is the Closure FAST therapy. A special catheter heats and closes the vein at equal intervals. The endovenous radiage is performed under local anesthesia.
Risks, side effects & dangers
Radiage is not associated with any risks. As it is a proven, safe procedure, skin damage occurs only in very rare cases. It does not cause pigment irritation. After the treatment, the action of heat leaves a slight reddening on the treated areas of the skin, which usually fades on its own within several hours.
Since the method is painless, anesthesia is usually not administered unless the patient has very sensitive skin. Like other cosmetic interventions, high-frequency radio wave therapy has no lasting effect: Depending on the skin type, the skin-tightening effect decreases after 12 months, but no later than 36 months. Then the patient should repeat the treatment. In order to avoid possible skin damage through improper use, it is advisable to have the skin tightened only by medical specialists.
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