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Remove Wrinkles With Radiofrequency

Trials Under Way For Wrinkle-Removing Technique

UPDATED: 9:53 am EDT June 24, 2002

Clinical trials are being done to see if radiofrequency or electricity can help you look younger.

Susan Miner "I'm actually in my late 30s," said Susan Miner. "I actually looked tired a lot more."

Dermatologist Carolyn Jacob of Skokie, Ill., said one way to wipe away wrinkles and that tired look on Miner is to raise her eyebrows a bit.

In general, women's eyebrows should be about a centimeter above the orbital rim, or the bony portion, of the eye. To get that lift, Jacob won't use a shot or scalpel. Instead, she is going to use radiofrequecy. The device is called Thermacool.

Susan Miner It is being used to help tighten the second layer of skin without damaging or destroying the top layer of skin.

A numbing cream is applied to the patient's forehead. Then, a tattoo-like grid sheet is placed over the area. This lets the doctor know what area she's already treated and where she needs to go.

According to Jacob, "When you put energy through the skin, there is resistance."

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And resistance generates heat. Heat will help to contract or tighten collagen that is in our second layer of skin. And, by doing that, the eyebrows will raise up slightly.

This device can actually shrink that collagen for them and lift the eyebrows by a millimeter or two.

The procedure takes about 30 minutes and there's no down time. Miner can go right back to work, but it will take one to four weeks to see results.

Jacob said that Thermacool can also be used to tighten the jaw line, neck area, the chest area and can even help treat acne by diminishing oil glands.

The procedure is not cheap. Depending on the area being worked on, it costs from $2,000 to $4,000.


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