You can be assured no self-respecting A-lister knocking at forty’s door has stepped on the red carpet without administering at least one of these treatments in the lead up. 
Even though we’re perhaps not about to take to the ruby rug, shoot a high-def feature film or have our bikini body displayed to millions world wide – Fraxel®, Thermage® and Liposonix® are the next step in your relationship with beauty.
Our trial team took the ultimate road test to quash even the biggest case of beauty ambivalence when it comes to these super treatments.
Beauty Expert, mother of 2, 40s
Procedure: Thermage
The Clinic, Sydney
Staring into the abyss of my fourth decade, I can’t help but see how ‘the others’ are faring for themselves during the same life-stage. Gwyneth Paltrow’s skin has always floored me for its brilliance, radiance and contour – granted, much of this skin supremacy is thanks to her supercharged, super green diet. However, it’s the in-salon treatment she opts for to ensure a tighter, more taught, and more youthful skin surface – Thermage – sounded like it was right up my alley.
Technology: Non-invasive, non-injectable and not so painful. Sign me up. Thermage is designed to target the areas of the face that lose structure and contour with age. This happens as collagen depletes, resulting in loss of definition around the jawline, under the eyes and beside the mouth in particular. Via radiofrequency (RF) energy, Thermage works to help tighten existing collagen and stimulate new collagen growth in the deeper facial layers of the skin by delivering RF energy right in there. 
Procedure: During Thermage, a special treatment tip delivering controlled RF energy was swept in calculated movements across all areas of my face, working from section to section, like a mini-jackhammer type motion. The sensation was of escalating –but not uncomfortable – warmth. I was able to vocalise if and when it felt too ‘stingy’ and it could be adjusted down. But it wasn’t painful – just an odd sensation – so I bit my tongue and thought of conscious coupling, GOOP and apples (and other Gwyneth type things.)
The process was quick – about 90 minutes including preparation – and I was pleased to see there was no redness, inflammation or irritation visible on my skin. No scared children today!
Results: So now, all I have to do is wait – for up to six months whilst collagen formulation takes place. But the instant results are outstanding. My skin seems more ‘zingy’ and taut, refreshed and bright. So I’ll keep up those super greens, SPF and sleep to aid the collagen and soak up the compliments in the process! 
The Expert Voice: Kaye Scott at The Clinic shared, “Our clients love this treatment as there is no down time, you can see results immediately which progressively improve over the 6 months post treatment, and you only have it done once a year – so it is particularly good for busy and international clients. The results we see with Thermage include a more defined jaw line, plump cheeks, lifted jowls and smoother nasal labial folds. These are subtle changes that make a big difference in the overall appearance of the face.”
Cost: Ranges from $1,500 to $3000 depending on the area to be treated. Please consult your practitioner to see if Thermage is suitable for you.
Contact: The Clinic, Sydney www.theclinic.net.au or 02 9386 1533
Click here for more Thermage clinic locations
Interior Designer, mother of 1, 40s
Procedure: Fraxel
The Clinic, Sydney
I had heard a lot about Fraxel and was very excited but terrified. Excited about the potential results but terrified about the potential pain! Fade freckles, re-texturise my skin, hopefully have a much more youthful glow!
Technology: Fraxel works by creating thousands of microscopic treatment areas across the complexion, which fires off the body’s inner signal to naturally, heal itself. This response mechanism enhances cellular turnover so that fatigued cells are replaced with new, fresh glowingly healthy skin. This is key to ensuring you recapture the vibrancy of a younger you. This is revolutionary simply due to the lasers’ ability to precisely penetrate the skin down to the dermis without disrupting the skins outer protective barrier.
Procedure: I was so terrified I even got lost on the way – I think I was so preoccupied with how much it might hurt. I was immediately relaxed when I entered the space, the staff at The Clinic were so lovely and the environment was immediately comforting. I was talked through the procedure so I understood exactly what would happen. After being laid down on a treatment bed, a numbing cream was applied to my face, and I was wrapped in a blanket and advised to relax for about 45 minutes whilst the numbing cream took effect.
Once my face was feeling numb, the cream was wiped off and the face prepared for the treatment. The laser was run over each area of my face 8 times, with about 7 areas. The treatment itself took about 8 minutes; the overall appointment was about an hour and a half.
The discomfort was not as bad as I expected. I have read that some people feel nothing. I did feel a feeling of intense heat and as the laser was taken across my skin, which was bearable until about the 7th stroke. Then it hurt a bit but it was literally for a second. As soon as the laser is taken off the skin the discomfort disappeared.
Results: Immediately my skin looked tighter and red, like a sunburn. As my skin peeled, the skin underneath looked glowing and clear. My skin definitely has a clarity and smooth texture that it didn’t have before. My freckles were definitely lightened but not removed. I love the texture and added clarity my skin has and somehow I just feel better, like I have been cleansed! There is something about shedding all the old, damaged skin that makes you feel new!
The Expert Voice: Kaye Scott at The Clinic shared, “We use Fraxel to target pigmentation, sun damage, acne scarring, uneven skin tone, smoothing skin texture and reducing the appearance of fine lines. Results can be seen one-week post treatment with the full result in 6 weeks. Depending on the concern, clients will normally need a course of Fraxel treatments.”
Cost: Ranges from $1200 – $1500 Please consult your practitioner to see if Fraxel is suitable for you.
Contact: The Clinic, Sydney www.theclinic.net.au or 02 9386 1533
Click here for more Fraxel clinic locations
Digital Publisher
Procedure: Liposonix
Laser Cosmetic Day Procedure Centre – Dr Jack Ting, Coogee
The procedure is not for the faint hearted as it definitely has a level of discomfort. However, the results are impressive and permanent. You know what they say: no pain, no gain.
Technology: The latest Hollywood favourite for dropping a dress size in 8-12 weeks, Liposonix works via high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) delivered below the surface of the skin, heating it and permanently destroying targeted stubborn fat cells. The treated fat tissue is then removed naturally through the body’s own healing process, and there is no visible damage done to the surface of the skin where HIFU is administered.
Procedure: I was given painkillers and as it is a medical procedure, I can say it’s really important to find the right practitioner to implement the treatment. Whilst there is no down time, there is a feeling of bruising for up to 4 weeks and you may, as I did, experience severe, visible bruising on the treatment areas in the first two weeks after the treatment. I felt an intense pulse of heat and cold, but again, you are administered painkillers intravenously so the pain is managed. I would recommend that afterwards, due to the painkillers, you have someone to drive you home. I felt like I’d done a really hard-core session at the gym for a few days afterward!
Results: I’ve received comments from people I know and even those I don’t know too well about a reduction in my weight. I can definitely feel the difference in my dresses; my waist in particular feels firmer. When I touch my stomach I can feel stomach muscles that I didn’t know I had… probably because that layer of fat was removed… I didn’t really feel or see results for the first 4 weeks.
However, after 6 weeks I could definitely feel results just through clothes and after 8 weeks I could see results. At the 10-week mark results are in and I have lost 4cm around my waist- a great result as typically the average reduction is 2.5cm. I can definitely say that the treatment itself is long forgotten and the benefits are pretty fantastic — all my dresses feel looser around the waist!
The Expert Voice: Dr Jack Ting shared, “Over 20 years I have tried many methods to reduce fat for body contours; Liposonix is a new addition in Australia for body shaping. I have used it for over a year now and the results have been consistently good. Typically the reduction of waistline varies from 2.5 cm to 7cm from 8 to 12 weeks after one single treatment. There’s mostly no down time; patients go back to normal activity the next day.“ Cost: Prices start around $2500 to $3000 per treatment. Please consult your practitioner to see if Liposonix is suitable for you.
Contact: Dr Jack Ting, Sydney www.drting.com.au or (02) 9665 3247
Click here for more Liposonix clinic locations
Images courtesy of Solta Medical Aestheic Center.
iNova Aesthetics is a sponsored partner of RESCU.com.au
