Dear Dr. Seckel, I’ve purchased your terrific book and love it. I found a doctor in Los Angeles who performs skin tightening with the LuxIR system, but was told it cannot be used on the eyes. Sagging brows, slightly sagging eyelids, and the beginnings of jowls are my main concerns, and I do not want a blepharoplasty , face-lift or brow lift.. I’m curious why Thermage is used on the eyes, but not the IR systems, and if it would be my best bet. Will you please make any other suggestions to firm up eyelids and brows? I’d prefer to try a firming treatment and see those results before committing to a face-lift and blepharoplasty. Second question - I’ve also looked into Aluma Faces, but was told the Aluma system does not go as deep into the Dermis and may not be as effective as other RF or IR treatments. and there is a new dermal heating system called Affirm by the makers of Fraxel that I’m wondering if you can comment on, or suggest the latest and greatest this month in your opinion. I have fair skin, no sun damage, just a few fine lines and early skin laxity, mostly eyes, as I said. Thank you, Inga, Los Angeles, CA
Dear Inga,
Thank you for your question about eyelid rejuvenation. The LuxIR skin tightening system is effective on all facial skin but the treatment head is so large that it is difficult to use around the eyes. It can be used but it requires a special technique, to block ½ of the head and only use ½ which is the proper size for the crow’s feet area. Because of the size I have been unable to use it on the eyelids.
MOST IMPORTANT-DO NOT TREAT THE EYE LIDS DIRECTLY OVER THE EYEBALL!—all of the skin tightening devices work by deep heating and the heat passed through the eyelid could damage the eye. Even if protective shields are placed over the eyeball, the heat could be transmitted to and damage the eye.
If you have puffy lower eyelids, eyelid bags, dark circles under the eyes, or loose eyelid skin you need a modern blepharoplasty, not skin tightening.
Skin tightening technology including LuxIR, Thermage, Aluma with FACES, Refirme, Titan and others are all effective and generally tighten skin about 30% although when used by an experienced person , over the recommended number of treatments can produce even better results.
I have had superb results with the LuxIR but agree the size of the treatment head makes it difficult to treat the crow’s feet and periocular area around the eyes. For this reason I have brought the Aluma with FACES into my practice because the Aluma with Faces is particularly suited for skin tightening of the eyelids and periocular area. The Aluma with Faces has a small treatment head, which fits nicely around the eyes and forehead and has the additional advantage of having a suction component that pulls the skin up into the treatment head so that thin skin can be treated more effectively.
I would not worry about the depth of treatment with the Aluma with FACES. The skin around the eyes and forehead is very thin and the Aluma certainly will treat the required depth.
Personally I would feel safer treating the periocular tissues with the Aluma with FACES.
The important thing for you to decide is whether skin tightening will give you the result you desire. If you have significant loose skin on the brow, around the eyes and jowls you may need a blepharoplasty and face lift to get the result you desire. Skin tightening is not inexpensive most treatments for a complete series cost around $4000.00, not an insignificant amount of money to spend and then be disappointed.
Be sure your doctor shows you results that he/she has personally achieved and ask yourself if you would be happy with a similar result.
For more information on skin tightening and non-surgical facial rejuvenation read Save Your Face or contact me.
Thank you,
Boston, Massachusetts
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