So, what exactly is the point of a laser clinic? We’re here to break it down for you: Have you recently looked in the mirror after a particularly trying week and wished upon a star that you could just “hit refresh” on your skin?
South Africa demands fast-paced living. Between the sun, daily life stresses, and the natural passage of time, our skin often reflects the inner turmoil of life we would rather keep private. This is why visiting a world-class laser clinic like NuSkinnovation is the ultimate life hack— with NuSkinnovation introducing an entirely new approach to aging that no longer requires the “frozen” facelift tactic; instead, we offer the “lunchtime” facelift. This can be best understood as a sophisticated, non-surgical way to generate flawless results before you’ve even finished your afternoon coffee.
As such, modern beauty aesthetics have finally caught up with our forever-demanding schedules. In the early days of aesthetic science, we assumed that to achieve that “lift”, a scalpel needed to be involved, and sometimes a hospital stay too. However, with the new high-tech innovative systems we have at our disposal, we are now able to reach the deeper layers of the dermis and effectively tighten, smooth, and rejuvenate skin from the inside out.
The following article is going to act as a guide in which we will walk you through our magical lunchtime facelift, as well as advocate for why the Fotona 4D system is revered as a leading brand in the industry, leading to total skin transformation.
Why We’re Skipping The Scalpel
For the longest time, the word “facelift” has been associated with the idea of surgery. This procedure implied the need for anaesthesia, bandages, and having that predictable pulled-back look, which can be terribly uncomfortable.
Fortunately, modern laser clinics have entered the chat. This means that modern-day patients can experience subtle yet effective procedures that enhance and protect their natural beauty. These lunchtime facelifts form a series of laser protocols that are between 45 and 60 minutes long.
As we use light from lasers, there are no needles or incisions. This is especially useful for busy executives who can’t take an entire day or week off for recovery, or for the parent who needs to be available for a 3pm school pickup. Furthermore, while the convenience is its greatest pro, where surgery cuts and pulls, laser treatments heal and rebuild the dermis. As such, it encourages the body to do the hard work of anti-aging itself.
A Deep Dive Into The Four Stages Of The Fotona 4D Laser
When you walk into a NuSkinnovation laser clinic seeking a lunchtime facelift, it is more than likely that you will experience the Fotona 4D system. More than just a simple laser, the Fotona 4D system is a multi-dimensional approach that treats your skin in four distinct modes (just imagine a 360-degree full renovation for your face).
The first step we like to call the “smoothliftin” inside-out approach, which is often the most surprising step for most of our clients. This is because we start the treatment from the inside of your mouth. Sounds a bit odd, doesn’t it? We can assure you this method is incredibly clever.
Through the application of the Er:YAG laser to the inside of your cheeks, we are able to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, which are usually incredibly difficult to reach from the outside. The aim of this is to tighten those pesky smile lines or the nasolabial folds that surround the mouth.
The sensation of this process is often described as gentle and warm, as the inside of your mouth is naturally lubricated and therefore absorbs the light’s energy with very little discomfort. This in turn creates an immediate plumping effect, creating the illusion of having had tasteful fillers. And the best part is, it’s all your own tissue!
Precision Rejuvenation With The FRAC3
The next step is to move to the outside. At this stage, we strategically use the Nd:YAG laser to target imperfections that lie deeper in the dermis. The aim here is to target tiny areas of the skin that cannot operate at their best. This includes issues like sun damage, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, or deep wrinkles.
This is made possible via a “fractional” effect, which is when the surrounding skin is left untouched, and the targeted areas are addressed to begin the rapid repair process. This is the ultimate hack to return the “snap” or elasticity back to your skin.
Deep Heat With PIANO
PIANO, which stands for (Pulsed Internal And Non-ablative Outside), is where the true transformational lifting of the skin occurs. The laser is applied to the face in a brushing motion, delivering bulk heating deep inside the dermis.
In turn, this promotes a process of deep skin tightening. This occurs when the skin reaches a certain temperature, and the collagen fibres contract. This can be likened to putting a wool sweater into a warm soap wash, where all the fibres contract and pull together. Similarly, the fibres of your skin become tighter and firmer as the collagen contracts.
The SupErficial Finishing Glow
The fourth and final step is a light, cold laser peel with the goal of polishing the skin’s surface. This final step removes the superficial top layer of the dead skin cells on our skin that can make our skin appear tired or dull. It is the final flurry that makes sure that when you walk out of one of our NuSkinnovation clinics, your skin will have that luminescent pearl finish, exuding a healthy and radiant glow.
The Magic Ingredients Behind Collagen And Elastin
In the world of skincare, you often hear the word collagen being thrown around, but is it more than just a buzzword used for marketing schemes? The answer is simple: collagen is a foundational element of your skin (it can be imagined as a kind of scaffolding of your face). Collagen is a protein that holds everything up and assists in keeping the skin firm.
Unfortunately, just as the rest of our body gets a little slower and a little lazier as we get older, so does the elastin and collagen in our skin. From around our mid-20s, we lose an approximate 1% of our collagen every year. Now, just add a little exposure to the South African sun alongside the trials and tribulations of life, and that scaffolding quickly starts to degrade.
Here, the science of collagen production is essential. Thus, when our lasers at NuSkinnovation heat the skin, they are essentially sending a signal out to your fibroblasts, which are the cells that make collagen. In turn, your body assumes there’s been a small injury and immediately rushes to the area to build new and fresh collagen deposits. This process is known as neocollagenesis and is the reason why, even months down the line after treatment, your skin will continue to improve.
So, How Does It Feel?
The word “laser” can sound a bit intense, with people often imagining it as some kind of elaborate device right out of science fiction, but in a clinical setting, it could not be more of a controlled and comfortable experience.
When you first set foot in one of our NuSkinnovation laser clinics, the environment has been carefully curated to be calming and peaceful. As the clinician cleanses your skin, they will explain each step with great care. Throughout the treatment, you will experience varying levels of warmth as different wavelengths of the laser are applied to the skin.
Many people have likened the experience to a hot stone massage for the face. Fortunately, the Fotona 4D system has a built-in cooling system and, as such, ensures that the deep layers of the skin are targeted to stimulate collagen production but simultaneously allows the surface of the skin to feel cool and comfortable.
One of the biggest pros of the lunchtime facelift is that there really is no recovery time needed. Added to this, there are no scary side effects where you look like Frankenstein’s daughter leaving the clinic. At worst, you may be a bit flushed directly afterwards, but no more than you would after a brisk walk or a light Pilates class. In each case, the effects fade after a couple of hours, after which you can reapply your sunscreen and go about your day!
Is Laser Treatment Right For My Skin Type?
In previous times, darker-skinned individuals had to be especially careful with lasers because they could cause issues with hyperpigmentation. Fortunately, however, laser technology has come a very long way, allowing for new professional clinics to utilise specific wavelengths such as the Nd:YAG, which works on all kinds of skin tones.
These specialised wavelengths can bypass the pigment in the surface of the skin and penetrate the deeper layers. Thus, no matter where you fall on the Fitzpatrick scale (classifying skin into six types based on its reaction to UV light), you will be able to safely enjoy the benefits of a non-surgical facelift.
If you are curious to know where your skin lies on the scale, we recommend checking out the American Academy of Dermatology, which provides very specific insights into understanding how different skin types interact with light sources and the sun.
The Pre-juvenation Rise
While laser treatments are often utilised by the older age demographic, we are increasingly seeing a large rise in the pre-juvenation trend among young people in their 20s and 30s.
And a good thing too. It is much easier to maintain your collagen in good health than it is to try to rebuild it from scratch later. Through doing even one or two gentle treatments once or twice a year, you can “bank” your collagen and maintain a good level for your scaffolding. This ensures that deep wrinkles don’t have a chance to form in the first place, making this process the best kind of proactive skincare hack.
Protecting Your Investment With Targeted Aftercare
Now that you have invested your time and money in a laser clinic, you are likely wanting your results to last! Fortunately, we have some tips and tricks for this to ensure that your skin gains are not lost. First and foremost, we always insist that you protect your skin from the sun, so a broad-spectrum SPF-50 should be your new bestie.
Second on the list is hydration, hydration, hydration! While your skin is working diligently to repair itself, you need to keep it hydrated. Aside from using good quality hyaluronic acid serums to lock in moisture, take care to also drink plenty of water!
For a more in-depth dive into post-laser care, take a look at this informative article on How to Care for Your Skin After Resurfacing Laser.