By Mary Katherine Woltman

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When it comes to the esthetic industry and its anti-aging strategies, there are many choices. There are surgeries that lift, and lasers and peels that remove wrinkled and discolored layers of skin. All of these are effective, yet none is without risk. Each either traumatizes tissue to stimulate the body’s self repair mechanism, which has the potential for scarring, irregular healing that can cause contractures, or changes ones appearance in a way that may not have been anticipated and is not appealing to the client.

There are injections that fill those lines and still the muscles that create them. These too are effective, though it is not uncommon for lines that are filled to lift up one area, only to create another crease above it, as gravity continues its pull on the facial skin. Even Botox can have this ripple effect, necessitating either more Botox placement in adjacent areas, or the use of fillers or other procedures to counter this effect.

Though these procedures have worked for millions, for those who have experienced disappointing results and for those who would like to do something but prefer a procedure more natural to the body, now there is something for you.

One of the newest additions to the cosmetic industry is the non-surgical facelift. It utilizes microcurrent, which is known to have a healing effect, in contrast to other procedures that must first cause trauma to induce healing. Microcurrent stimulates circulation, which encourages collagen and elastin formation, and stimulates muscle tone to firm and lift. It is non-invasive, requires no down time, and produces immediate results, which increase with subsequent treatments and that can be maintained with a minimal maintenance program.

To better understand how this works, we look at one aspect of the aging process.

As we age our body loses some of its natural electrical energy, like a battery being drained. On a cellular level, this leads to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in our skin, which results in sagging, uneven skin texture, and wrinkles. Additionally, the facial muscles become overly contracted with years of facial expression, locking in creases. The non-surgical facelift utilizes microcurrent of near identical magnitude as the electrical current the human body produces on its own. Its application causes the body to become recharged back to its more youthful electrical state. With each treatment, the tissue stores more charge, and the tissue is able to hold the charge for longer periods of time. Muscle memory then kicks in, holding the charge and maintaining the results for up to 6 months. At the cellular level, there is increased metabolism resulting in increased protein synthesis, detoxification, and formation of collagen and elastin. At the visible level, there is improved firmness, reduced appearance of wrinkles when muscles are relaxed, and an overall lift. The face can look up to 10 -15 years younger.

HOW DOES IT HEAL?

For years prior, microcurrent had been known to advance tissue healing. First discovered in the 1830’s, it was proven that electrical current in the body was disrupted by wounds. Nearly 100 years later, the Japanese would rely upon this discovery to use microcurrent on soldiers during WWII to mend non-healing bone fractures. The technology became mainstream in orthopedics in the 1960’s. Now, after more than a decade of research and development by a team comprised of several physicians and a NASA engineer, the Beautiful Image Face and Body Sculpting machine has arrived.

WHO SHOULD DO IT

Men and women can begin treatments in their 30’s, when signs of aging begin, up to just about any age, as it improves appearance at most any age.

HOW SOON WILL I SEE RESULTS

Most people see results after just one treatment. Doing a series is recommended to achieve optimal results.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED

Most people notice a change with just one treatment. The results will last from 24-72 hours. After 3-4 treatments, the results last about a week. By 8-10 treatments, muscle memory will hold for up to six months, though depending on age and skin damage, it may take up to 15 treatments for optimal results. It is recommended that booster treatments be done every 4-6 weeks to maintain results. Otherwise, the series would have to be repeated at the end of the 6-month period.

HOW LONG WILL THE RESULTS LAST

Results will last about 6 months. After that, muscle memory begins to fade and a new treatment series must be repeated. Doing booster treatments every 4-6 weeks will maintain results.

HOW LONG DOES A TREATMENT TAKE

Each treatment takes approximately an hour and 15 minutes.

IS THERE ANY PAIN OR SIDE EFFECTS DURING OR AFTER TREATMENT

None. Not only is the treatment painless, most people find it relaxing and euphoric, feeling refreshed afterwards. As it works by the current’s healing effect as opposed to many other treatment modalities that cause trauma to trigger healing, there is no inflammation, no redness, no swelling. The skin reveals the effect of increased circulation with a healthy glow.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS

As with any procedure, it is not recommended during pregnancy, and because it uses current, it is contraindicated in people with heart conduction problems, with pacemakers or who have a history of seizures.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST

Individual treatments are $120 per session. Package pricing reduces per treatment cost and is available in 5, 10, and 15-treatment packages. The bigger the package, the better the price.