It can be hard to look in the mirror and see the parts of our face that are starting to loosen or sag with time. While factors like lifestyle habits and genetics both affect how we age, there is no denying that we’ll all show a few signs of wear and tear as we start to grow older. This is inevitable and is a huge motivation behind the recent spike of interest in cosmetic methods to reverse the trend.
Schedule Your Consultation TodayIn recent years, non-invasive options like injectable fillers or laser resurfacing are increasingly being considered as alternatives to surgery, particularly when it comes to facial rejuvenation. One method that is getting more attention is radio-frequency assisted lipolysis, or RFAL, technology, which uses specialized radio waves to get rid of fat and tighten skin. RFAL technology is at the center of AccuTite™, an innovative method to tighten skin that reduces signs of aging in the face and certain areas of the body to get patients the youngest-looking skin they’ve had in years, all without the need for more invasive methods like surgery.
AccuTite™ is the third member of the RFAL family, joining FaceTite™ and BodyTite® which are used for larger areas of the face and body. AccuTite™ is designed for spot treatments of skin laxity and fat deposits on the body and face. As such, these treatments are done in the office with topical numbing creams and minimal local anesthetic injections.
Candidates
RFAL is ideal for candidates who are in overall good health but are having trouble maintaining youthful skin due to loss of elasticity or other concerns. AccuTite™ is very useful in treating smaller areas of the face and body, which may require a higher level of accuracy. AccuTite™ may be used to treat signs of aging such as:
- Sagging brows, frown lines, and other upper face creases
- Drooping eyelids or wrinkles around the eyes
- Lines around the mouth and lips (“laugh lines”)
- Sagging or crepey skin along the neck
- Sagging or drooping along the jawline
- Excess fat along the neck (“jowls”)
AccuTite™ may also be used to tighten certain areas of the body, such as spot treatment of the upper arms, belly, thighs, and knees, that all have the tendency to develop stubborn pockets of fat or sagging skin that can be hard to get rid of. AccuTite™ effectively melts away fat cells and tightens skin and tissues. AccuTite™ is also particularly useful in reducing signs of aging in the hands, which may prematurely be affected by sagging skin and wrinkles that make them look older than they really are.
Procedure
AccuTite™ treatments use a unique procedural method that utilizes powerful radio waves to remove fat cells and tighten skin. First, patients will consult with their surgeon to determine which areas are best suited for AccuTite™ and schedule treatment dates. On the day of treatment, an anesthetic is used to numb the surface of the skin before a small puncture is made with a needle in the target area. The device is shaped like a V: one limb is a tiny cannula, or small probe, that is inserted into the needle hole under the skin and the second limb is a probe placed on top of the skin. The radio-frequency waves enter the skin through these probes, heating the skin from the outside and, more importantly, from the inside, melting away fat and tightening the skin, erasing wrinkles, and smoothing over skin and muscles. In addition, radio-frequency energy is a powerful stimulator of collagen production which occurs under the skin over several months to further improve skin elasticity and tone.
The entire treatment can take anywhere between 15 minutes to an hour to complete, depending on the area being treated. It is completely safe—the AccuTite™ device contains built-in temperature controls that give Dr. Taylor real-time temperature readouts of the treatment areas so he can maximally heat and shrink the skin in a safe manner. As an additional safeguard, the energy is automatically shut off when the target temperature endpoints are reached ensuring skin never burns from the radio-frequency energy. Only a few follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor results.
Recovery
AccuTite™ treatments are minimally invasive, which means recovery tends to be quicker and easier than with other methods. Scarring is minimal because only small needle punctures are used, and most patients experience only minor discomfort, like light bruising or swelling right after a treatment. Most patients are able to get back to their normal activities within a day or two after a session.
Results
AccuTite™ treatments offer positive results almost right away, with most patients seeing immediate improvement after the first treatment. Skin feels tighter, firmer, and smoother, often with better tone and more even color that leaves skin glowing and youthful. The skin will continue to improve over time as collagen forms for up to six to eight months after treatment ensuring long-lasting results. AccuTite™ also stimulates the skin to start its own regenerative process, leading to better-looking skin over time.
