With quick, comfortable treatment, zero downtime, and no scars, non-surgical skin tightening has become a popular way for women and men to enhance their appearance and self-confidence without taking time for surgery and recovery.
Radiofrequency, the technology used by Body Frame has been used for non-surgical skin tightening since 2001; however, it has only recently gained widespread recognition, thanks to high-profile celebrities who rave about the benefits of their RF treatments. If you’re new to the idea of non-surgical RF treatments as a way to improve your appearance, you may wonder are they safe?
In short, YES – as long as you choose an experience technician. However, the more you know, the better choices you can make about your treatment options so we’ve explored this question in greater detail below.
What exactly is radiofrequency?
Radiofrequency is a type of energy, which is measured in “frequency”, or wavelengths per second. All types of energy, such as the sound waves your iPod emits, to sunlight, even the heat coming off your body are all classified according to their frequency on the “electromagnetic spectrum.”
Radiofrequency (RF) is one category on this spectrum, and includes a lot of common energy types we use every day: WIFI signals, radio and TV waves and microwave ovens. The RF energy used in skin tightening is in the ballpark of 450 kilohertz, which is on the slow end of the radiofrequency range. Physics lesson aside, RF energy is quite calm when one considers the while electromagnetic spectrum.
How does radiofrequency tighten skin?
Like any form of energy, RF has the capacity to produce a small amount of heat. This works by mildly heating the skin’s deeper layers to induce new collagen and elastic production and encourage cell turnover, helping the skin to become firmer, and more youthful-looking.
The advantage of using RF to heat tissue, as opposed to lasers (which use higher-frequency light waves), us that the lower frequency of RF can safely penetrate to a deeper level, helping to improve skin tone and structure, even lifting tissues. Lasers for the most part work to improve the skin’s surface only. Lasers are attracted to dark surfaces therefore discoloring most people of color skin tones. Moreover, RF can safely treat more clients with different skin tones without risking permanent discoloration.
Radiofrequency is a FDA-cleared for use as a non-surgical tissue tightening. It is highly controlled and safe to use
With that said, if exposure of high doses of radiofrequency can cause burns, will a non-surgical RF treatment hurt me? NO. The radiofrequency used in a non-surgical treatment is different from that emitted by your microwave or cell phone – the radiofrequency in skin tightening treatments is highly controlled. The FDA cleared technologies use equipment that allows the technician to monitor and control the device during the treatment to ensure that targeted tissues reach the optimal temperature to induce new collagen production and cell regeneration without overheating.
Clinical studies have demonstrated and excellent safely profile on RF procedures for skin tightening whether it be for facial skin tightening or body contouring.
What are the side effects of radiofrequency treatments?
Along with effectively lifting and tightening tissues without surgery or downtime, one of the greatest benefits of RF treatments, is that there is no post-procedure recovery. Side effects are rare and typically minimal and short-lived, limited to mild and temporary swelling, slight redness and tingling depending on the treatment.
Always choose an experienced, qualified provider for non-surgical skin tightening
As low-risk, convenient, and effective as RF treatments are, please apply the same level of scrutiny in choosing a technician as you would any other technician doing any other type of procedure on your body. You can completely mitigate this risk by choosing a Body Frame technician here at Top Coat Nails & Spa. Body Frame (headquarter in Milan, Italy) trains all RF technicians with in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in all RF procedures. Ongoing training is always scheduled as time goes on to ensure all RF technician are current on the latest techniques.