Dear Dr. Seckel, I heard about a new non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatment called FACES which tightens skin. I think it is also called aluma. Have you heard of this? What do you think of it? Thanks, Sandy, Boston, Ma.
Dear Sandy,
I have indeed heard of FACES and you are correct it is part of a new multiplatform laser system called Aluma® skin renewal system with FACES®.
What is really new is the skin tightening feature that is an exciting new non-surgical facial rejuvenation technique. As you may know from reading this website skin tightening is the 6th step in the 6-step non-surgical facial rejuvenation program I use.
Aluma® with FACES® uses radiofrequency waves for facial rejuvenation and skin tightening. Radiofrequency is the technology used in the popular Thermage® skin tightening system but FACES uses a very different approach. The other skin tightening machines, lux IR by Palomar and Titan® by Cutera® use infrared waves to heat and tighten skin.
The new Aluma® system with FACES stands for functional aspiration controlled electrothermal stimulation. What differentiates this machine from Thermage® according to a recent report in Dermatology Times is that FACES is less painful and much quicker.
The initial results of a study by Michael H Gold, M.D. and Mitchell P. Goldman, two very respected laser researchers showed impressive results and patients reported excellent satisfaction and comfort with the procedure.
What is different about FACES is that the skin is gently pulled into a chamber by suction where the radiofrequency energy is applied. In some ways this is similar to microdermabrasion® in that microdermabrasion® uses suction to pull the skin into a flowing stream of micro silica particles which exfoliate the skin.
The difference with FACES is that instead of exfoliation, the skin is subjected to Radiofrequency energy that heats the tissues in the dermis of the skin, causes remodeling of the collagen, which shortens the collagen and tightens the skin.
Time will tell if this new technology lives up to expectations but it looks very good. I will be using the machine for the first time next week and will keep you updated.
To read more about aluma use the following link.
For more infromation visit my Boston Plastic Surgery Practice, read Save Your Face or contact me.
Boston, Massachusetts
Peabody, Massachusetts