Aging is unavoidable fact of life – everyday we are all getting older. However, it is not age itself that bothers us, but the visible signs of aging that can make us feel old despite the fact that we feel young and vital. The health and look of our skin – whether on our face or on our body – plays a significant part in how old we feel and is seen as the most common indicator to others of our age. Facial wrinkles,  neck décolletage and hands are one of the most visible signs of skin aging. Over time they tend to get more visible. Wrinkles aren’t an illness! But wrinkles can alter the way we look, and this may change the way we feel about ourselves. Wrinkles usually start as fine lines. They tend to get deeper over time. Wrinkles are often noticeable on the face. Lines tend to form on the face in the places our skin folds when we smile or make other facial expressions.
 

The aging process of the skin occurs in two different ways, (Intrinsic and Extrinsic skin aging). Intrinsic aging is what we get from our parents and is inevitable and pre-determined. The skin will become thinner, less elastic and essentially dryer as a consequence of skin aging. This is a direct result of a reduction in the overall production of collagen. This decrease combined with gravitation will lead to sagging of the skin.
Skin will become dryer as a consequence of aging because the dermis is stripped of its ability to retain moisture. In addition, the process will lead to a substantial reduction in the sweat glands and sebaceous glands, all of which ordinarily lead to moist, plump skin.
Although the extent of the process will vary, skin aging will predominantly become apparent at age 30.
Extrinsic aging is associated with exposure to various toxins and environmental elements. The foremost and most detrimental element is the sun. UV sun rays associated aging, often known as ‘photo aging’ will cause a number of fine lines on the face, wrinkles, age spots, freckles, enlarged pores, broken capillaries and rough, uneven skin tone.

Infrared (IR) radiation

 Infrared (IR) radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is longer than that of visible light. The name means below red. Visible red light is the color of the longest wavelengths of visible light that we can see with naked eyes.

IR radiation is divided into 3 different bands according to wavelength:

• IR-A: 700 nm–1400 nm (Near-infrared)
• IR-B: 1400 nm–3000 nm
• IR-C: 3000 nm–1 mm

Infrared radiation is popularly known as “heat” or sometimes “heat radiation”, since many people attribute all radiant heating to infrared light and/or to all infrared radiation to being a result of heating.

Infra Red Laser Skin Tightening
In the last 10 years various non-invasive and non surgical treatments modalities have been developed for aging skin. Most of the advanced dermatology clinics are using lasers, radiofrequency (RF), IR lasers and a combination of the above to treat aging skin. All these methods are aiming to heat the deep skin layer in order to shrink redundant or lax connective tissues through the mechanism of collagen denaturation.

How does Infra-red laser work on aging skin?

Infra-red laser utilizes infrared light to heat the dermis well below the skin’s surface by heating up the water content in the skin. This heating can cause immediate collagen contraction by the denaturization of collagen. During the procedure, the outer skin’s surface (epidermis) must be protected through continuous cooling by means of active cooling. After the procedure, new collagen growth results in further tightening and the development of a more youthful, complexion with less fine lines, folds or looseness of the skin. People with dark skin should avoid the treatment.
  

Who should not undergo this procedure?

There are various contraindications which are similar to other light based technologies such as:
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are not suitable candidates.

Since the treatment heats the tissue under the skin’s surface by Infra-red light, dark skin absorbs most of the energy in the uppermost skin layer, which can cause burns. In such cases RF procedures are optimal since RF is considered as ‘color blind’ technology which is suitable also for dark skin type and color.  
Large areas of loose or redundant skin, such as after massive weight-loss may be better suited for TriPollar RF treatments or for surgical approaches in severe cases.
 
Also, until further studies have been carried out it is advisable not to have treatment directly over dermal filler products.
 

 
What sort of practitioner can perform this treatment?

Only suitably trained medical professionals should perform infrared laser skin tightening procedures.  

For more information see also: Titan™ skin tightening review

Pollogen’s Clincal Applications Specialist report from the field

It is always good to meet professionals that are using our TriPollar® technology in their practice; I learn many working tips from them that can be relayed to our customers to enhance the results of treatment with TriPollar for skin tightening, cellulite reduction and body contouring. In the last TriPollar workshop held in Japan I witnessed the amazing results of combining treatments with the TopJen device (TriPollar RF) with manual lymphatic drainage massage. First the practitioner performed a TopJen™ treatment according to the TopJen device treatment protocol. The treatment was concluded with a 5 – 10 minutes manual lymphatic drainage massage of the treated area. Below are photos of combination treatment results (TriPollar followed by manual lymphatic massage) on the right waist.  

Before TriPollar treatment

Before treatment to right side only

Treatment of right side with the TopJen Maxi (TriPollar RF)

After TriPollar Treatment

 

 

 

 

 

After TriPollar treatment followed by lymphatic massage to the right side

 

Treatment to the right side

Treatment of right side with the TopJen Maxi (TriPollar RF)