Sublime Skin Contouring by Syneron was previously known as ReFirme. This treatment will reverse the signs of aging without downtime and will provide an overall more youthful appearance. The sublime combines laser light energy and radiofrequency energy to stimulate the production of new collagen. The areas most often treated are the eyes, brow lines, cheeks, jawline and neck.
If you have loose, sagging and wrinkled skin on your jowls, neck, cheeks, and forehead then Sublime would be a good tissue tightening option. In addition, lax skin on the eyelids, a heavy brow, or upper eyelid drooping, as well as lax abdominal skin, upper arm skin, or lax buttocks or thighs may benefit from this treatment. In some cases, we also find patients with superficial acne scars, rough skin texture, and mild to moderate superficial wrinkles can gain improvement with these treatments.
You should not have Sublime treatments if you are pregnant or have been on Accutane within the past 6 months. If you have a pacemaker, internal defibrillator, or metal implants you may not have radiofrequency treatments, but you may be treated with the TriPollar Apollo. If you are diabetic, have an auto-immune disease, have recently been treated with chemotherapy, or are over 65, you may need more treatments to achieve less effect due to possible slow collagen production. Patients with a history of HSV (cold sores) may have a flare after a treatment. We can prescribe prophylactic medications prior to treatment.
The Sublime from Syneron combines infrared light (700-2000nm) with bipolar conducted radiofrequency. The combination of light energy and radiofrequency energy is used to deeply heat layers of the skin while protecting the surface of the skin simultaneously. Medium to deep heating of the skin activates fibroblasts signaling new collagen to form and existing collagen to tighten. This will cause immediate collagen contraction as well as new collagen production which will occur over a 4-6 month period.
In most patients, a definite but modest to moderate improvement in the area treated is expected. For facial procedures and depending on the areas being treated you can expect decreased sagging at the jawline, a more toned central cheek area, and a firmer, less lax neck. Fine lines and wrinkles will also be improved and this treatment will leave you with a smoother and more uniform complexion. For best results, we do suggest 3 treatments at monthly intervals. A follow-up consultation will be performed 6 months post-treatment and maintenance treatments are generally recommended every 6 months.
Short-term immediate risks include redness at the site being treated, although this usually dissipates before you leave Advanced Dermatology or within a couple of hours. Swelling may also occur and could last for a few days to a week. The treatment area may also become temporarily white (blanching) following a treatment. Blanching typically resolves within 24 hours. The potential other side effects are bruising, skin wound, infection and scarring, hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation, and surface irregularities.
Prior to treatment all potential risks and side effects will be discussed with you by your medical provider and cosmetic coordinator.
Sublime may be mildly uncomfortable during treatment but this should not persist after treatment. It can feel like a “hot pinch” toward the end of each pulse. This is a no downtime treatment and you should be able to return to your activities and work the same day. Your skin may appear to be slightly red or slightly swollen after the procedure but makeup and/or sunscreen may be applied immediately. The redness and swelling should dissipate within a few hours and rarely persists longer than that. Cooling of the surface of the skin will provide enhanced safety as well as additional comfort throughout the treatment.
The main alternatives to Sublime treatments are surgical (blepharoplasty or eyelift, face-lift, and other surgical skin tightening options), Non-surgical options such as injectable fillers, Neurotoxins, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport, and the Pan G™ Lift (muscle stimulation device) will also provide results similar to Sublime.
This treatment may be combined with other treatment methods or may be done individually. Neurotoxins, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic or Dysport, and injectable fillers are commonly combined to achieve a more dramatic effect than by itself.
The cost of Sublime treatments can range from $625-$1275 depending on the areas being treated.
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Advanced Dermatology is the leading aesthetic and medical dermatology practice in the North Shore servicing Glencoe, Lincolnshire and Chicago.
