Mapperley Park Clinic

Accent Radio Frequency - Cellulite and Skin Tightening using Radio Waves

The excitement surrounding Radio Frequency has been building since Thermage launched in America. We have been sitting on the fence waiting for a more user friendly version which delivers the results without the discomfort or high treatment cost. We believe that the Accent Radio Frequency machine is able to do just that.

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 which, as you will know from rubbing your hands together, creates heat. Heat causes shrinking of collagen fibres which in turn leads to skin tightening. The process takes up to six months to complete and the final assessment is 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 call cell contents.

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?
Sadly 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 (bless them) 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.

If you would like to talk to someone about Accent Radio Frequency, please feel free to call us on 0800 2946 515 to book a consultation.