What are FotoFacial RF treatments?

FotoFacial RF treatments are face, neck, hands and/or body treatments using Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and RadioFrequency energy combined in the same pulse. These gentle, no-downtime treatments are used to improve the cosmetic appearance of the skin in any area treated. The original FotoFacial procedure was co-developed by Dr. Patrick Bitter, Jr. a dermatologist, and Dr. R. Stephen Mulholland, a plastic surgeon, bringing together the best of aesthetic dermatologic skin care and cosmetic plastic surgery into one non-invasive treatment. The FotoFacial procedure has increased in popularity and recognition to the point where it is now one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in North America. It has been featured in Allure, Cosmopolitan, In Style, Vogue, USA today and numerous national and regional television shows. Many Hollywood stars and TV personalities rave about the FotoFacial and credit this procedure for the renewed health and vitality in their skin. The FotoFacial RF is the next generation in high-tech skin enhancement.

Am I a good candidate for FotoFacial RF?

FotoFacial RF treatments are beneficial in the treatment of the following cosmetic skin concerns on the face and body:You may also be a good candidate for the FotoFacial RF treatments simply if you want to experience an improvement in the pore size and the overall tone and texture of the skin- Rosacea (redness of the skin), Excessive “flushing”, Broken capillaries, Spider veins, Sun damage (sun spots), Age spots, Melasma, Hyperpigmenation (brown discoloration), and Freckles. There are some medical conditions that are contraindications to treatment. These include pregnancy, people who have used Accutane within 6 months, and people who are on photosensitizing medication. A comprehensive consultation with one of our well-qualified clinicians is the best way to determine if FotoFacial RF is a good choice for you.

What results might I expect?

Clients usually notice a consistent improvement in the appearance of their skin. The degree of improvement is gradual and persistent over the 15-18 week program of 5-6 FotoFacial RF treatments. The noticeable and significant changes that are typically seen include: • Rosacea, flushing, redness, ruddy complexion, broken capillaries and spider veins of the face. All these “Pink” vascular based conditions of the skin improve on average between 50-75% percent with FotoFacial RF treatments. • Sun spots, age spots, hyperpigmentation, melasma, cholasma, “mask of pregnancy”, multiple freckles. All these “Brown”, melanin based conditions of the skin improve, on average, 50-75% with FotoFacial RF treatments. • Sun damage and aging signs of the hands, neck (Poikiloderma) and chest skin can be improved by 50-75% percent with FotoFacial RF treatments. • A general improvement in the overall tone and texture of the skin as well as a reduction in pore size. After completing a series, the skin tends to look brighter and more “refreshed.” Many clients are particularly pleased when friends and family comment on how great their skin is looking!

How does FotoFacial RF work to improve the appearance of the skin?

Each pulse of the FotoFacial RF device sends two types of energy into your skin, Intense Pulsed Visible Light and RadioFrequency energy, that act synergistically to enhance the skin. These energies are absorbed into skin imperfections such as brown spots and broken blood vessels. This process causes the skin’s natural healing process to gradually and gently lessen or eliminate these blemishes. The RadioFrequency energy also stimulates production of collagen, elastin and ground substances in the dermis, the thick undercarpet of the skin, resulting in a smoothening of fine lines and textural irregularities of the skin.

How long do treatments take?

Treatment time is usually between 30 and 45 minutes. Many clients like to “numb” before the procedure. To do this, a topical anesthetic cream is applied roughly 30 minutes prior to starting the procedure.

Will the treatment hurt and will I have to miss work?

The FotoFacial RF treatments have a tolerable level of discomfort. The feeling is often compared to a light rubber band snap. However, the discomfort can be greatly reduced, or even eliminated by the use of a topical anesthetic cream applied to the skin 30 minutes prior to the scheduled FotoFacial RF. Evolutions also uses a powerful cooling machine, the Synercool, to provide an additional degree of comfort. The end result of the numbing cream and Synercool is a highly comfortable procedure. You should not have to miss any work. After each treatment, clients are typically only slightly pink. This reaction usually goes away within a few hours, but clients are also able to apply makeup immediately. Consequently, the vast majority of clients are able to resume normal activities immediately.

How long will the skin enhancement effects last?

At the completion of the FotoFacial RF program the skin will have achieved a noticeable and consistent degree of improvement. Over 90% of clients are very happy with their results. An effective home care program can help maintain these benefits. Also, a single maintenance treatment is recommended every 4-6 months to keep the skin looking vital, even, smooth and youthful.

How does FotoFacial RF differ from other photo rejuvenation or “Photofacial” procedures?

FotoFacial RF treatments combine both Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and RadioFrequency energy into one treatment. The synergistic combination of these two energies allow for a more effective procedure with the same or lower energy levels of other IPL-only devices. Thus, FotoFacial RF treatments are safer than so-called “Photofacial” procedures in addition to providing you with the optimal degree of enhancement for your skin.

What technology is used?

The laser/light-based technology used in skin rejuvenation treatments is a critical component in the ultimate result you receive. Evolutions Medical Spa is proud to use the only technology that marries the benefits of Intense Pulsed Light and Radiofrequency energy. It is the only machine able to perform true FotoFacial RF treatments.

SectionCan FotoFacial RF treatments be combined with other procedures?

Absolutely. Laser Genesis, chemical peels and/or Vibradermabrasion treatments can be performed in between FotoFacial RF treatments to further enhance the overall results. Also, for clients who wish to tighten skin as well as improve its tone and texture, ReFirme, Titan, and/or Sublative treatments are commonly added.

Why should I have photorejuvenation treatments done at Evolutions?

Two reasons – superior technology and excellent clinician training.

As explained throughout this section, the technology Evolutions uses for this procedure is superior to other, intense pulsed light only devices. The combination of IPL and Radiofrequency allows us to achieve a better result with a safer treatment.

Excellent Clinician Training

For any procedure, the skill of the clinician performing the procedure is critical. A number of factors need to be considered in preparation to treat a client, including skin type, medical history, medications used, etc. Based on these factors, the clinician must then decide what settings to use. If the settings are too high, there is the risk of burns. If the settings are too low, you may not receive a good result. Consequently, it is very important that the clinician performing your procedure is well-trained. At Evolutions, Dr. Perkins personally and extensively trains all of the clinicians on all aspects of performing FotoFacial RF treatments, including laser physics, skin anatomy, and practical application. Furthermore, in the unlikely event of any complication, Dr. Perkins is always available to see clients personally and help resolve any issues as quickly as possible.

MINT PDO Threads in Santa Barbara | Evolutions Spa 805-695-2167

Mint PDO Threads - Jowls Before and After

Tone, Tighten, and Reduce Wrinkles with MINT™ PDO Threads

One of the main skin concerns our clients have is skin laxity. Fortunately, today there are numerous options to tone, lift, and tighten skin, both surgical options (such as a traditional Face Lift or Minimally Invasive Cheek Lifts) and non-surgical technologies (such as Sublime or Ultherapy). At Evolutions, we are pleased to now offer another excellent option for non-surgical skin tightening – MINT PDO Threads.

PDO Threads help restore a youthful facial appearance without surgery, incisions, or extended downtime. Safe and biocompatible threads are used to both immediately tighten skin and as they dissolve over time, improve the collagen and elastin support in the area treated.

There are two options with MINT PDO Threads:

Lifting threads that anchor the tissue and provide an immediate lifting effect for the mid-face or brow area that last up to a year
Smooth threads, which are shorter and thinner and meant specifically targeted to improve skin texture, elasticity, volume loss, and fine lines.

Read our FAQs below for more information to see if MINT PDO Threads might be right for you and/or call us at 805-687-0212 to book a complimentary consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About MINT PDO Threads

Collagen and elastin are the essential proteins comprising the foundational framework of the skin and play a crucial role in maintaining the skin’s firmness and youthful appearance. As you grow older, your body’s production of these proteins slows down, leading to sagging skin and the emergence of wrinkles.

PDO threads are specifically made to help restore skin’s firmness and elasticity without surgery or an extended recovery time. PDO stands for polydioxanone, which is a safe and biocompatible material that stimulates your body to produce collagen. PDO lifting threads serve a dual purpose – direct skin tightening and collagen formation. First, as they are inserted underneath the skin and reposition the tissue to where it was years earlier, your skin is given an immediate lift. Second, the PDO threads eventually get absorbed by the body. As this happens, they stimulate natural collagen and elastin production in the area, which leads to even longer lasting improvements in skin strength and elasticity.

There are numerous companies that offer PDO threads, but they do not all offer the same quality and effectiveness. MINT™, which stands for Minimally Invasive Non-Surgical Thread, uses innovative and patented technology to give you the best results available in PDO threads. Other threads in the market have threads where barbs are created by making cuts into the thread, which affects its durability. MINT™ threads feature 2 designs created with patented technology that makes it the ideal PDO threads on the market to enhance your facial features: the barbs are press molded onto the thread in a 360-degree helical pattern.

These 2 key features determine the strength and duration of your thread lift:

Press molded barbs of MINT™ threads can provide a stronger and longer lasting lift because the threads dissolve at a slower rate compared to cut threads.
MINT™ threads offer all around fixation to anchor itself onto the tissue, which offers maximum security and fixation.

· Non-surgical and minimally-invasive
· No incisions and no scarring
· Long-lasting results (up to 1 year)
· Relatively quick procedure (30 minutes to 2 hours depending on area(s) treated)
· Made of a safe material that fully dissolves over time
· Minimal pain and no downtime
· Tightens skin immediately, so results are instantly visible
· Promotes collagen and elastin production over time
· Natural looking result
· Comfortable procedure to go through
· May be done multiple times
· Natural-looking results
· May be done in conjunction with other treatments

There are two main types of threads available at Evolutions: lifting threads and smooth threads.

Lifting Threads

Lifting threads are PDO sutures that have barbs or cogs that anchor onto tissue. Once secured, the threads are pulled to lift and lock the tissue in place to tighten and contour your features.

Smooth Threads

Smooth threads are PDO threads without the lifting barbs and helps to improve skin texture, elasticity, volume, and fine lines. They are shorter and thinner and are placed more superficially in the skin. As the threads dissolve, the PDO stimulates the production of new collagen to build volume and contracts surrounding tissue to tighten the skin. They can be a more natural and subtle option than fillers.

At Evolutions, we use the Lifting threads for:

The mid-face area, which improves the appearance of sagging skin, jowls, and the nasolabial folds as well as provides additional contour for the cheekbones.
The brow area, which can help reduce eyelid hooding and heavy brows.

Smooth threads are put directly into fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin and can be used almost anywhere on the body, though common areas of treatment include the perioral lines, frown lines, “marionette lines”, “crow’s feet”, submentum (under the chin), and the neck.

Smooth threads are recommended to be done in a series of three treatments. They are frequently done in conjunction with dermal fillers and can improve the overall results when done together.

MINT™ PDO treatment is a minimally invasive and non-surgical cosmetic procedure that typically takes 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete. Results are noticeable right away.

After your PDO thread lift, the threads are absorbed by the body in 6-8 months, but the benefits can last for up to a year because they stimulate collagen production and neovascularization in the skin. The degree of sagging, skin thickness, and facial structure of each patient will affect the outcome of the treatment.

We use a powerful topical numbing cream for Smooth thread treatments and local anesthetic for lifting thread treatments, so patients typically experience very minimal pain during the procedure.

After your MINT™ PDO treatment, you may experience some minor swelling, redness, and/or bruising, but most clients are immediately able to resume your daily activities. More intense activities such as exercise can be resumed after a week

Yes! MINT™ threads are made from a complex sugar polydioxanone (PDO). PDO is a synthetic, biodegradable polymer that’s been used in medical applications for over 30 years. It’s a type of suture material commonly used for closing wounds and surgical incisions because it’s absorbable by the body over time.

MINT™ is backed by over 6 years of published studies for its safety and is the only PDO thread to receive more than one FDA clearance (MINT™ is triple FDA cleared).

Clients who want to reverse moderate signs of aging such as sagging skin and wrinkles, without surgery or extended downtime, are generally suitable for the MINT™ lift. Candidates may be male or female and are typically between 30 and 50 years old, though clients older than 50 may still be good candidates depending on the degree of sagging/wrinkles.

The best way to determine if MINT™ PDO Threads are right for you is to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our highly knowledgeable clinicians. During the consultation, you can discuss your specific concerns and desired outcomes with the provider, so that they can provide a personalized treatment plan to address your areas of concern effectively.

The cost of a PDO threads depends on a variety of factors, including whether Lifting or Smooth threads are used, the number of area(s) treated, and if you are a VIP member. Please call to schedule a complimentary consultation for specific pricing.

Yes! MINT™ lifts are compatible with many other procedures, so you can take advantage of all the best things each treatment has to offer for synergistic effects. Target wrinkles with neuromodulators, restore volume with dermal fillers, address skin texture with laser treatments, and take care of sagging skin with MINT™.

While some may achieve their desired results with a single treatment, it may be worth considering additional PDO thread lifts. Since the threads are completely absorbable, you can undergo more thread lifts to continue enjoying the benefits of MINT™ over an extended period.