Facelift. Oooh, just hearing the word makes me cringe. You, too, may have seen some of the gory medical shows on television in which a patient goes under the knife, appearing to have their face essentially taken off, tightened and put back on, all in efforts to look better, firmer and younger. And you may also have noticed some Hollywood stars that have had facelifts, only to look just downright odd. And we know the stars can afford the best surgeons money can buy, which brings me to my conclusion: I will never have a facelift.


But, let’s face it, who wouldn’t like to keep their youthful appearance as long as possible. Thanks to the ThermaLift, a new, F.D.A.-approved device for the nonsurgical tightening of the skin, many women and men will be able to feel better about what they see in the mirror, and they won’t require surgery to do so.

“Being a nurse, I’ve seen too many poor results [from facelifts],” says Phyllis McNamee, who chose to have a ThermaLift treatment at LazrSmooth Studios with Dr. Michael Escobedo. McNamee says she was bothered by a loss of tone and collagen, especially evident in her neck area. After only one treatment to the neck, and after only a few months, she says she’s truly loving the results. “There’s already a 75 percent improvement,” she says. “And you get maximum results after three months, so I still have one month to go; I’m really pleased.”

Thermage, out of Haywood, California, developed the ThermaLift, the only tissue-tightening device approved by the F.D.A., according to Escobedo. Using radio frequency technology, which has been used in the medical field for years to treat conditions such as varicose veins and even abnormal heart rates, the ThermaLift delivers a whopping 167 degrees of heat to denatured collagen, which appears as a knot when viewed under an electron microscope. The heat transforms the knotted collagen back to its normal condition, which resembles a triple helix formation or a French braid. Escobedo says the change to the collagen is permanent and that the results will therefore last as long or longer than results seen with a traditional facelift. In 87 percent of the 33- to 65-year-old study patients Escobedo has treated, results were immediate: skin takes on a more refined, porcelain-like finish; pores and fine lines are diminished; and, perhaps best of all, patients see more defined chins, jowls, jaw lines and cheekbones. The other 13 percent of Escobedo’s study participants experienced more gradual improvement occurring over the next three to six weeks.

The treatment time varies according to the area being treated. For examples, McNamee’s neck and jowl lift took about 45 minutes, while a mid/lower “facelift” would take only 30 minutes. A cryogen spray is used to cool the skin’s surface before, during and after the treatment(s) to protect the epidermis and reduce pain. Because, while there’s no down time, the treatment can be painful. “Each ‘zap’ is equivalent to about two seconds of intense heat, like you’re holding your finger over a flame,” says McNamee, whose neck area required approximately 300 zaps. “Another friend had her entire face done,” she continues, “and said the neck was the most tender part. Would I do it again? Absolutely!” Escobedo recommends a total of two treatments in many cases.

LazrSmooth Studios is currently the only facility in Austin offering the ThermaLift. For more information, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Escobedo, call (512) 347-9794, visit www.thermage.com or www.lazrsmooth.com.

Photos:
Photo A: Patient before ThermaLift treatment
Photo B: Patient one month after one ThermaLift treatment