XERF: Non-surgical Structural Tightening
XERF is a non-surgical procedure that helps tighten the skin and the deeper supporting tissues. It does so by inducing heat into the skin and heat into the underlying structural layer. Immediate tightening and lifting is noticed right after the procedure but new collagen formation and collagen tightening continues to be active for several weeks as the results only continue to become augmented.
XERF uses two radiofrequency frequencies (6.78 MHz and 2 MHz) in one pulse so energy reaches the dermis and deeper tissue in the same pass. The surface is cooled. There are no needles and no downtime. Existing collagen contracts. New collagen forms over the following months.
Who This Is For
XERF is ideal for patients with early to moderate laxity along the jawline, lower face, and neck. Skin that has started to soften but has not fully descended. People who want tightening without recovery, or who have already had surgery and want maintenance.
XERF is a perfect modality for what I call “limbo patients”. These are the people I see in my office who have begun to show signs of ageing but aren’t at the severity where they are thinking about surgery. They have concerns with their appearance but aren’t ready for a facelift.
Who This Is Not For
Patients who need a facelift, I will not tell them that this treatment will make them happy.
What A Session Is Like
Treatments take approximately 45 minutes.
We cleanse your face with clinical grade facial cleansers. The skin is lubricated with ultrasound gel. The handpiece is gently moved across the skin in a back and forth motion. The handpiece touching the skin will feel warm to hot. The handpiece has active cooling with misting liquid nitrogen in regulated intervals. It is very well tolerated, numbing is absolutely not needed. There may be some mild redness that can last for an hour or two. There is no peeling, bleeding, needles, or anything of the sort. It is as non-invasive as non-invasive can be.
Results
Some firmness and lifting can be noticed right away due to collagen contraction. The larger changes only increase from there as new collagen is formed over the next two to three months. How long the results last depend on your skin, age, and other factors. The effects should last two to three years.
I will tell you whether I think one session or a short series makes sense for you and the concerns that you have.
What I Often Combine With XERF
XERF can be combined with many other treatments often on the same day.
Lasers and Broad Band Light can be added to help with pigment correction, augment the skin tightening effect, and help erase fine lines and fine wrinkles. Lifting volume such as in a XERF or a facelift help with descended tissue pockets and help with deep lines and folds like nasolabial lines and marionette lines, it offer small improvements to fine lines and fine wrinkles which are not the byproduct of descended volume but are wrinkles actually contained within the skin. Lasers help with these issues specifically and with Broad Band Light help to restore a youthful glow to the skin and help with overall skin health.
Neurotoxin injections and filler injections can be done immediately after as well.
Risks I Always Discuss With You
Temporary redness, warmth, mild swelling. The bigger risk is managing expectations. This is not meant to treat concerns that need a surgical solution and should not be viewed as a substitution or replacement for that.
Cost
There are various single treatment options, and an array of package treatments in a series of regimens, and combinations with other non surgical treatments. Cost depends on the areas being treated and the number of treatments desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
No.
Does it hurt?No. The sensation is described as moderately warm. The vast majority of patients tolerate it extremely well with no numbing required.
Is there downtime?No. There may be some mild redness for an hour or two, but otherwise no downtime and no restrictions.
When do I see the result?There is some immediate noticeable firmness and tightening. The collagen regeneration and result continues to increase over the next two to three months.
How is this different from older RF devices?XERF delivers two frequencies of radiowave induced energy. It stimulates collagen formation and tightening in more than one depth at a time. Older RF devices only use one frequency and none that reach the depth of XERF to provide the deeper structural tightening responsible for the results we see.
Can I have this if I have had a facelift in the past?Yes.
Schedule A Consultation
If you want tightening without surgery — and you understand the difference — the next step is a consultation in the office where we discuss options for you in more detail.