Radiofrequency Grown Up

By: Ruth Donnelly
Created on 16th June 2011

Since Pellevé hit UK shores last year, it has started a revolution in facial rejuvenation treatments. We speak to leading cosmetic doctors Aamer Khan and Tracy Mountford to find out what makes this treatment so special

It’s always exciting when a new anti-ageing procedure comes onto the market, but many of them don’t live up to the hype. The latest machine to hit UK shores, however, is manufactured in the States by Ellman and distributed in the UK by Sigmacon, renowned for innovative technologies – and is endorsed by some of the top cosmetic doctors in the country.

“In my opinion Pellevé is the best, non-invasive and non ablative skin tightening treatment available today,” says Dr Aamer Khan, of the Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic. “It is pain free, effective and has no downtime.”

Radiofrequency treatments have been around for a long time, and their efficacy in reducing wrinkles and tightening the skin has been proven time and again. But the problem many people have with them is that it can take up to six months to see the results – and who has time to plan that far ahead?

Pellevé has been described by some practitioners as 'radiofrequency grown up'. Because the radiowaves are delivered continuously at a very high frequency – most similar devices deliver the energy in a pulse form – the results can be seen instantly, and continue to improve for up to six months after treatment.

How does it work?

“Pellevé uses advanced radiowave technology to deliver constant, gradual energy to the skin, causing heat to build up where the skin and fat layer come together, without damaging the epidermis or top layer,” Dr Khan explains.

“The increasing heat modifies the collagen bundles deep inside the skin, causing them to contract and stimulating the growth of new collagen over time. The results are firmer, tighter skin.”

Another fan of the Pellevé machine is Dr Tracy Mountford, of the celebrated Cosmetic Skin Clinic in Buckinghamshire and London.

“The treatment experience takes about 45 minutes,” she informs us, “it is painless, with just a mild sensation of heat. Immediately afterwards, the skin looks firmer, tighter and more lifted with no downtime.”

No downtime?

Apparently not. As this is not an ablative procedure and there are no incisions, no damage is done to the outer layers of the skin and there should be minimal, if any, pain, so there’s no redness, swelling or bruising, just a fresh pink glow due to increased blood supply to the skin.

“You can put your make-up on straight after treatment and return to your daily activities, and still go out in the evening looking fresher and lifted,” says Dr Mountford.

“There will also be a lasting improvement over the next six months as the skin produces new collagen,” adds Dr Khan, “so the results just keep getting better over time.”

So what’s new?

You might think that the market is flooded with anti-ageing treatments, from Botox and fillers to full-on facelifts, and Pellevé isn’t even the first radiofrequency treatment to hit the UK, so what makes it so special?

“The main difference from the patients perspective compared to other radiofrequency treatments is that Pellevé is very comfortable for those nervous about pain or discomfort,” says Dr Mountford.

Another major bonus is that Pellevé is gentle enough to be used in the always tricky eye area. “The whole face can be treated, including the eye area, neck and jowls,” Dr Khan confirms, “so this really is a revolutionary treatment.”

How can I really optimise the results?

“Although you can see an improvement immediately after one session, with two to three sessions the results will be much more visible with a tightening and firming effect that you can see and feel,” says Dr Khan.

Dr Mountford likes to enhance the benefits of Pellevé with the addition of other anti-ageing staples: “It works well as a stand alone treatment, particularly in the younger age category,” she explains, “however in the more mature woman I often use it in combination with other treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers to give superlative results.”

Is it right for me?

“An ideal candidate for Pellevé is someone who is noticing slight jowling, maybe the top eyelids are a little heavy and crepey and the neck is looking less firm,” says Dr Mountford.

“Usually patients present between the ages of 40 and 60, although we are increasingly using it in the 30 plus category for the prevention of ageing.”

As with any aesthetic treatment, you are expected to take some care of yourself and your skin in the build-up to the procedure, as well as afterwards, but otherwise this is essentially a one size fits all treatment, which can produce instant, lasting results.