Dear Dr. Seckel, I’m 44 years old. Thanks to my mother’s genes I’m aging very well. I was doing cooltouch laser for facial rejuvenation the last 4 years (6 month intervals).I don’t need wrinkle removal, but lately I’ve seen small sagging line from my nose to mouth.(”marionette lines”). I certainly don’t need a face lift but I am thinking to switch to Luxir skin tightening. Do you think it will be helpful in my case? Any other suggestions? Kate, San Diego
Dear Kate,
The LuxIR infrared facial rejuvenation skin tightening machine will definitely be more helpful for early facial rejuvenation of facial sagging and skin laxity along the Jaw line than the CoolTouch Laser. None of these matches the results of a face lift. The facial aging changes called marionette lines and nasal labial fold lines are caused by facial sagging which occurs because of facial aging changes in the deep layer of the skin called the dermis. Years of sun exposure and facial aging destroy the elastin fibers in the deep dermis and the elastin fibers are responsible for keeping the facial skin tight. As the elastin is destroyed with aging, the facial skin loses elasticity, the face sags and the nasal labial folds and marionette lines develop. There are many new non-surgical facial rejuvenation techniques which can reverse and help prevent facial sagging, skin tightening is but one of them.
The early laxity or sagging you see along the jaw line is the beginning of the marionette lines and nasal labial fold lines and jowls along the jaw line. If you start appropriate facial rejuvenation techniques now you may be able to prevent the jowls, marionette lines and nasal labial fold lines
The LuxIR fractional skin tightening machine works very differently from the CoolTouch Laser for facial rejuvenation. Both machines are non-ablative non-surgical facial rejuvenation techniques. The LuxIR is called a fractional non-ablative infrared skin tightening device to differentiate it from the ablative CO2 laser resurfacing which also tightens skin but also ablates the skin crating an open wound which requires healing time. The non-ablative LuxIR fractional skin tightening device does not ablate the skin so there is no visible wound, no down time and no recovery.
The CoolTouch laser, also a non-ablative laser facial rejuvenation device works on the surface and superficial dermis to stimulate new collagen just beneath the surface of the skin. The theory of the CoolTouch Laser is that new collagen will plump the facial skin wrinkles, but the treatment does not go deep enough to effect the elastin fibers in the facial skin in the deep dermis of the facial skin. I view the CoolTouch Laser as a wrinkle removal laser skin rejuvenation treatment, but it is a non-ablative wrinkle removal treatment and not terribly effective for facial rejuvenation.
The LuxIR is not a laser; rather it is an Infrared non-ablative skin tightening device. The LuxIR sends infrared light energy through the superficial skin into the deep dermis and heats the elastin fibers. The heating of the collagen elastin fibers causes the elastin fibers to shorten and remodel to a shorter length. The effect of this collagen (elastin) remodeling is that facial skin elasticity is restored, the skin tightens, the facial skin laxity is corrected and the jowl, marionette lines, and nasal labial fold lines are improved or lessened and facial rejuvenation is achieved.
Skin tightening with the LuxIR Infrared skin tightening machine takes time, so be patient. Collagen remodeling takes 6 months, because new collagen and elastin has to form and this biological process takes time-you are growing new collagen and elastin in your skin to replace the old damaged collagen and elastin.
There are several new non ablative skin tightening machines available, Aluma with faces uses radiofrequency energy, Titan uses infrared energy like the LuxIR, Thermage uses radiofrequency energy, and Refirme uses a combination of different energies.
Many of these skin tightening procedures are advertised as a non-surgical face lift. Dont believe them. Only a face lift provides a true face lift. Skin tightening is not a non-surgical face lift, at leats not yet. There may be a non-surgical face lift in the future, but the technology is not good enough yet.
LuxIR, Aluma, Titan, Thermage and Refirme non ablative skin tightening machines all work, but each has different characteristics. Check my skin tightening blogs for more information about the different machines.
I use the LuxIR and the Aluma with FACES in my skin tightening facial rejuvenation practice. The LuxIR is best for the cheek, jaw line and neck. I use the Aluma around the eyes and periocular area.
You will need 4-6 LuxIR skin tightening treatments. Generally LuxIR power settings of 60 mille joules or greater are required-I use a topical anesthetic-it must be completely removed before treatment. These higher settings can burn the skin if the operator does not keep complete firm contact with the skin during each pulse. Find someone with experience. Check the Palomarmedical.com website for doctor in your area who has the LuxIR. There is a new LuxIR skin tightening machine with a better skin cooling system-try to find a doctor who has the new version.
For more information on skin tightening, facial rejuvenation and non-surgical facial rejuvenation read Save Your Face or contact me.