Radio Frequency Treatments are considered to be an advanced solution that delivers rapid improvements for people with dry eye symptoms. If you have been considering Radio Frequency (RF) treatments, Real Eyes Optometry has put together a comprehensive list of what you need to know.
In this 3 minute read, learn about how this FDA approved medical cosmetic therapy works, what to expect before and during a treatment, and reviews by doctors of medicine (MD’s).
Did you know? Radio frequency energy has been used for over 20 years, with a long standing history within dermatology and cosmetic aesthetics.
How Do Radio Frequency Treatments Provide Dry Eye Relief?
The radio frequency machine uses low energy radiation to heat the superficial layer of your skin (the dermis). This stimulates the production of collagen and elastin reformation, which tightens the skin, minimizing the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. Radio Frequency was initially used to improve skin tone but they noticed that a side effect of the treatment was that it also improved dry eye symptoms.
How does it improve dry eyes? It prevents tear evaporation by unclogging and opening your eyes oil glands from the heat created by the low energy radiation. When your eyes oil glands are at optimal functionality, you will have more oil in your tears. This helps to retain moisture and improves dry eye symptoms, which can have a huge impact on your day. If you suffer from burning eyes, vision fluctuations, difficulty wearing contact lenses, overly watery eyes, irritated & itchy eyes or a number of other dry eye symptoms, radio frequency treatments can benefit you.
The prevalence of dry eye disease increases with age and is higher in women than in men.
Globally, dry eye disease is prevalent in between 5% and 50% of the adult population.
What Types of Radio Frequency Treatments Are Available?
Cynosure: TempSure Envi
- Gentle Warming. A handheld, radio frequency device beams low wave energy to the delicate areas around your eyes. This creates a gentle warming effect on your skin and to the oil glands within your eyelids.
- Specific Timer Technology activates when the treatment area has reached the therapeutic temperature, meaning perfect heat delivery for every radio frequency treatment. The hardened oil in your eyes oil glands requires a specific and sustained heat temperature to melt the oil blockages.
- Safe for All Skin Types. In fact, it is the first non-laser treatment that can be adjusted to customize the depth of skin layer targeted and the degree of skin resurfacing based on individual patient needs. Also, the treatments can be enjoyed year round, regardless of tan or skin color.
InMode: Forma
- Treatment Areas: The upper and lower eyelids, forehead, nasolabial folds, cheeks and neck.
- Thermal Tissue Remodeling. Treating the deep layers of the skin via uniform heating.
- Contact Sensors. The handpiece has a contact sensor built in for temperature and impedance in order to monitor the temperature of your skin’s surface in real-time to maintain safety.
- Safe for All Skin Types and can be used year round.
What’s the difference? Check out these reviews by other doctors of medicine (MD’s).
What MD’s Say about the TempSure Envi Radio Frequency Treatment
“TempSure Envi and Pelleve (the older version) are great non-invasive treatments that are safe around your eyes. Bulk RF heating causes some of the existing collagen to collapse, stimulating your body to generate new replacement collagen. This is not a laser so it is safe for all skin types and can be done safely year round. It feels like a warm rock massage. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO DOWNTIME. Almost all of the other options have down time, some very significant.” — Laura Riehm, MD
“TempSure Envi is a wonderful non-surgical treatment to help your skin rebuild collagen naturally, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and tightening the skin. TempSure is effective and rebuilds collagen in the first 30 days. It is a treatment with no downtime and no pain. It feels like a hot stone massage. The treatment lasts anywhere between 30-45 minutes for the face. The TempSure envi machine only turns on when the skin is at the proper treatment temperature unlike other RF treatments.” — Anju Mathur, MD
What Happens in a Radio Frequency Treatment?
- It’s Fast. Radio frequency treatment is comfortable, safe, non-invasive, and fast — it can take as little as 30 minutes!
- Massage Time. Your technician for the radio frequency treatment will gently massage the treatment zones, including your upper and lower eyelids with a gel for approximately 10-20 minutes.
- Non-Invasive. This means no needles, no surgery, and no downtime! You can get right back to your day without any hesitation.
- Instant Gratification. Patients experience instant gratification with maximum results taking place over 4-6 weeks. For optimal dry eye results, 3-4 treatments are commonly spread out over 2-3 months. For optimal full face wrinkle relief and dry eye results, 6-8 treatments are spread out over a 12 month period.
- After Your Treatment. There may be mild redness and swelling around the eyes for a few hours after the radio frequency treatment. It’s recommended to gently moisturize the treatment area (with a non-scented moisturizer) to help soothe the skin. A moisturizer with UV block is also recommended to avoid exposing the treatment zones to UV until the skin returns to its typicl color and swelling has reduced.
Treatments are safe for all skin types and 96% of patients described TempSure as comfortable.
So You’ve Booked Your Radio Frequency Treatment, Now What?
Here’s some quick and simple instructions you can expect prior to coming in for your appointment:
- Sun Exposure. Avoid overexposure. But what does that mean? A UV index of 0-2 is low and 3-5 is moderate. Limit your time outside when the UV Index is over 3.
Check Vancouver’s UV Index Here
- Skin Prep: Remove makeup from the treatment areas before your appointment.
- Skin Safety: Avoid treatments like peeling masks or exfoliants that may make your skin extra sensitive prior to your radio frequency treatment. If you are getting botox, please let the technician know prior to treatment.
- Medications: Try to avoid aspirin or ibuprofen one week prior to your radio frequency treatments.
- Disinfecting: Keep the treatment areas clean and dry prior to your appointment
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