What is the Accent Radio Frequency?
The Accent provides controlled radiofrequency energy using unipolar and bipolar handpieces, for deep (up to 20mm) and superficial (2 – 6mm) penetration of RF energy, respectively.The Accent system boasts dual handpieces – a bipolar handpiece for volumetric dermal heating, aimed primarily at skin tightening treatments; and a Unipolar (or 3rd generation Monopolar) one for a deep controlled penetration depth of the RF energy for fat reduction and cellulite treatment.
The Accent Radio frequency (RF) medical device is clinically tested and proven to provide the following:
- The reduction of volume and Fat.
- The reduction of Cellulite.
- The tightening and smoothing of skin.
- A direct increase in the production of collagen
Experience to date shows that 70 – 80% of clients will achieve at least a mild but noticeable improvement after a single treatment. In rare cases, results may approach those of surgical lifts. The application of non-ablative Radio Frequency (RF) energy is the most recent addition to the armamentarium in the war on the ageing face and body. Although Radio Frequency has been used in surgery for over 70 years, recent developments in cryogenic and computer technology have made possible the selective delivery of RF energy to the deep dermis and sub-dermal layers while protecting the epidermis. Results achieved by heating in this area causing microscopic changes and collagen contraction, with subsequent collagen remodelling over the course of several months are excellent. RF skin tightening is the first, and one of only a few ways to tighten skin in the long-term without surgical intervention and without the associated expense and down time. The procedure has an excellent safety record and clients of all skin types can be treated on the body and face without the pain associated with other RF methods currently available. Cellulite can be effectively reduced using Radio Frequency (RF) energy and is a condition characterized by portions of sub-dermal adipose fat containing tissue that migrate into and through the sub-dermal elastic tissue matrix. Cellulite appears due to the protrusion of pockets of depot fat from subcutaneous tissue through an elastic layer of connective tissue over-lying the depot fat into the dermis.
How does it work?
Facial areas usually require skin tightening rather than fat reduction (although many people do have a small fatty deposit below the jaw line). Skin tightening is brought about by using radio waves to vibrate water molecules within the tissues. This causes friction and consequently heat. Heat causes shrinking of collagen fibres which in turn leads to skin tightening. The process takes up to six months to complete and a final assessment can be carried out approximately two months after the fourth session. For body areas the requirement is usually to do with reduction of fatty deposits and cellulite. However skin tightening over the treated areas is still vital if we are to avoid skin laxity, which can occur with liposuction in clients whose skin lacks elasticity. By delivering the radio waves into the fat and cellulite in the dermis, the heat generated by the radio waves causes the fat cells membranes to rupture and extrude their contents. Shrinkage of the fat cells then takes place which in turn reduces the overall thickness of the fatty layer. The body’s own scavenging processes are used to remove ruptured fat cell contents. We recommend using our vibrostation after the RF treatment to help remove the fatty triglycerides which have been extruded from the fat cell membranes. Home exercise will also aid this process.
Can Accent treat all body areas?
Thighs, buttocks and abdomen respond well to this treatment, which tightens the overlying skin at the same time, preventing the slackened skin look which can accompany weight loss alone. Radio Frequency is also ideal for smaller problem areas such as knees and “Bingo Wings”, always difficult to tackle with diet and exercise. Eight to ten fortnightly sessions are required, depending on the severity of the problem. Improvement is seen during the course of treatment and skin tightening can carry on for up to three months following the final session.
Are the effects permanent?
Unfortunately in the field of ageing and body changes nothing is permanent. As most people realise, a face lift will usually last several years but in individuals with extremely elastic skin this can be reduced to months. With regard to facial skin tightening we feel that most clients will see improvement lasting up to two years but some will choose to undergo “top up” sessions. Body areas are different and fat cells are very unusual, in that they can swell to hundreds of times their original size so overindulgence will cause the problem to reappear, as will hormone changes and genetic predisposition. Radio Frequency can be repeated as necessary and used, intermittently, as a management system, where appropriate. If weight is kept stable then the results should be relatively long lasting.
How is the treatment carried out?
The skin is cleansed, dried and coated with oil which allows free movement of the treatment head. The head is then applied to the skin and moved constantly in order to disseminate the heat evenly across the whole area. The skin temperature is monitored with a digital thermometer and the aim is to keep the skin surface at approximately 40 degrees or just above. Occasionally “hot spots” develop but these are transient. It is very important that the client avoids all products with a diuretic, or water shedding, effect for 24 hours before treatment. This includes tea, coffee, coca cola, red bull etc. Water should be drunk in plentiful amounts prior to treatment to ensure good tissue hydration.
How long does it last?
Results are said to last for anything from 6 months to up to 2 years for facial tightening treatments according to the manufacturer. However, ongoing maintenance will be required more frequently for older people and for those with poor skin quality to begin-with, as a result of smoking, sun exposure, alcohol consumption etc.
For body contouring applications, the improvement in the skin quality is said to be long lasting, similar to the facial tightening results; however keeping the body contours in check is also subject to a person’s diet, calorie intake, exercise and lifestyle. Fat cells have the capability of expanding to 500 times their size, thus an unbalanced diet and unhealthy lifestyle plays a centre roll in keeping body contours in good shape more than any treatment can, effective as it is.
What are the Side effects & risks for Accent RF?
The use of Accent may cause any of the following:
- A heating sensation or pain during the treatment or immediately post-treatment. This pain is expected to be mild, and should disappear within a few minutes.
- Mild erythema or reddening of the skin may appear in the treated area, which is likely to disappear within 24 hours.
- A feeling of dry skin may occur during the first 12 hours post-treatment. It usually disappears within 48 hours. Lubrication with aloe-vera can be helpful.
- In very rare circumstances and if the correct instructions are not followed by the practitioner, it is possible to suffer from a skin burn.
Who people should be avoiding to use Accent RF?
As long as you are generally healthy and don’t have any skin diseases or infections in the area treated, there are few medical reasons why patients should not undergo this treatment.
Although there is no evidence that this treatment is harmful for pregnant women, you would generally be advised to wait until after you have given birth before embarking upon a course of treatment.
More importantly, people with electrical devices e.g., pacemakers, or metal implants e.g., artificial metal hip joints, heart valves or dental plates, cannot be treated because RF current flowing through the body may interfere with these devices or heat up metal implants, which could be dangerous.
Also, until further studies have been carried out it is advisable not to have treatment in an area previously treated with dermal filler products, such as collagen.
How long take a time for each session of this treatment?
A treatment session can be expected to last about 25-40 minutes and are usually recommended once every 1 – 2 weeks with an average of 8 sessions in a body treatment programme.This may be followed by a maintenance session in 1 – 3 months time.It is recommended to have a course of 4 sessions (once every 3 – 4 weeks) for facial tightening.