The Top Two Non-Surgical Face Lift Options in Fleming Island

Most of us know that aging skin has less collagen than young skin. But that doesn’t mean we have to live with dull, wrinkled, damaged skin. Laser skin resurfacing is designed to return the skin to a more youthful appearance by removing the dull outer layers of skin, creating a fresh new surface while also dramatically stimulating collagen.

How Does Skin Resurfacing Work?

At Pura Vida Body & Mind Spa, located in Fleming Island, Florida, we use the AcuPulse® laser manufactured by Lumenis® to deliver short, concentrated pulsating beams of light onto the skin. The laser carefully and precisely vaporizes the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis), little by little, layer by layer. The vaporized skin will slough off during the healing process revealing new skin that is soft, supple and dewy looking. But that’s not all! The skin underneath (called the dermis) is also heated during the treatment, which stimulates the growth of new collagen fibers. The collagen begins to rebuild the structure of the skin, resulting in smoother, plumper and firmer skin. The benefits improve over time as the rebuilding process works from within to further renew and rejuvenate your skin.

The AcuPulse laser features state-of-the-art technology with 11 various modes for truly customizable treatments. For people who want faster results and are willing to have a little downtime, the DeepFx treatment vaporizes deeper into the skin. With this treatment, the desired results are often obtained with just one treatment session. For those who prefer to not have downtime, the ActiveFx treatment can be performed which is a shallower vaporization of skin. The deeper the treatment, the better the results, generally. However, some patients prefer to have more treatment sessions that are less aggressive to shorten recovery time. It really comes down to patient choice.

What Areas Can Be Treated with the AcuPulse CO2 Laser?

Common treatment areas include full face, upper and lower eyelids, crow’s feet, neck, chest and upper lip. However, AcuPulse can be done on virtually any part of the body showing aging like hands, forearms and legs. Some patients, especially those with deeper wrinkles and extensive sun damage, should undergo treatment of full face.

How Long Do the Results Last?

Regardless of what aesthetic treatment you choose, the longevity of the results depends upon several factors; the age and health of your skin prior to treatment, genetics, and how you care for your skin following the treatment. Patients who consistently use medical grade skin care at home, limit sun exposure, use sunscreen, stay hydrated, avoid excessive alcohol, don’t smoke and maintain a healthy diet, laser skin resurfacing results should last up to two years if not longer. Unfortunately, nothing can halt the aging process, not even a surgical facelift, but aesthetic treatments can delay and even reverse the effects of aging of the skin dramatically.

What Results Should Be Expected Following an AcuPulse Treatment?

Besides having a more youthful appearance and a healthy glow, you can expect to see benefits like the following:

• Reduction of fine lines and deep wrinkles
• Reduction of crepey skin
• Improved overall skin tone and texture
• Improvement in acne scars
• Reduction Sun damage (brown spots) and pigmentation
• Smaller pores
• Reduction of the size of oil glands on the nose
• Reduction of sun spots

What to Expect During an AcuPulse Treatment

Before beginning the treatment, we numb the skin with a topical and/or local anesthetic. If desired, a mild oral sedative or Pronox (laughing gas) may also available for further comfort. During the treatment, we will also use the Sub-Z Chiller to keep your skin cold.

After the skin has time to get numb, it is cleaned with an antibacterial agent. Protective eye shields are placed. During the treatment, you will feel a warm sensation in the area that is being treated. Some areas may experience the sensation of small rubber bands snapping. The duration depends on the surface area, an average of 45 minutes to treat the whole face. Once finished, the skin will feel warm, much like a sunburn. You will get specific directions for a post-treatment proper skincare regimen. Skin care at home is vital to allow your skin to heal more easily and improve your results.

Who is a Good Candidate for Laser Skin Resurfacing with AcuPulse?

Patients with lighter skin tones make the best candidates for laser resurfacing but all skin colors can be treated with the AcuPulse laser. During your consultation, we will ask you to fill out a questionnaire that will help us properly determine your skin type. Ablative laser resurfacing is not a good idea if there is active acne, as it can become more inflamed. IPL can be done to reduce acne and inflammation before undergoing the AcuPulse treatment.

Want a Facelift Like Result Without Undergoing the Knife? Combining AcuPulse with triLift is a Bomb Combo!

For candidates that have volume loss in the mid-face and/or drooping of the lower face, before doing the Acupulse treatment, we recommend having a triLift treatment series performed. TriLift by Lumenis is the first of its kind, cutting edge technology that improves the primary cause of lower facial aging, muscle weakness. Using Dynamic Muscle Stimulation and radiofrequency energy the facial tissue beneath the skin’s surface is lifted. By re-strengthening the facial muscles and tightening the facial ligaments the face regains a tighter, toned, and more youthful shape. By performing the triLift first, the deepest structures of the face (muscle) are improved before working on the surface with the laser. Combining these two technologies provides a far better global result than with one treatment alone which explains why it is a fan favorite.