FaceTite™ works great for patients who only have minimal sagging, wrinkling, or drooping, which does not warrant an invasive facelift. Let’s be honest — who over 40 doesn’t start thinking about a facelift? And understandably so. As we get older, our skin naturally loses its elasticity and firmness, causing wrinkles, sagging, and the dreaded “jowls” to form beneath our chin and jawline. A facelift can help fix these signs of aging, giving a patient a more youthful and revitalized appearance. But facelift surgery requires invasive incisions, general anesthesia, and weeks of recovery time. And some patients are simply not good candidates for it, either because of a heightened risk of complications, a busy schedule, or just personal anxiety about “going under the knife.” The great news is that a new minimally-invasive technology called FaceTite can give patients results similar to a facelift without the need for surgery.
What is FaceTite?
FaceTite is a handheld medical device that uses radiofrequency waves to reduce facial and neck fat while tightening the skin at the same time. FaceTite therapy takes only one in-office treatment, and doesn’t require general anesthesia, incisions, or stitches. It’s a great alternative to a facelift for patients who have mild to moderate skin sagging. A full surgical facelift is a more effective option for more severe skin sagging, but for the majority of patients, FaceTite can provide beautiful and comparable results with less recovery time and risk.
What areas does FaceTite work on?
FaceTite works on many areas of the face and neck that patients have cosmetic aging concerns about, including:
- Sagging jowls or excess fat under the chin
- ”Marionette” lines or folds around the lower mouth
- Sagging on the lower face
- Smile lines or nasolabial folds
- Descended cheeks
Does FaceTite actually work?
Yes, FaceTite really works. Many patients have had bad experiences with non- or minimally-invasive cosmetic fad procedures. Plastic surgeons are constantly advertising new miracle technologies, and many times, they don’t live up to the hype. Unfortunately, the doctor learns this right along with his or her disappointed patients, and offices sometimes stop offering a service after a while because it simply doesn’t yield significant results. I’m very careful about which new technologies she offers to patients, and is an advocate of FaceTite because it’s a minimally-invasive procedure that really does work and gives patient’s their money’s worth in terms of visible and long-lasting results.
How does it work?
Facetite works by a process called Radiofrequency-Assisted Lipolysis (or RFAL). The radiofrequency energy is emitted by a wand that is placed in the subcutaneous space to directly melt away fat and tighten skin and stimulate collagen production. This has the effect of tightening the skin and reducing sagging and drooping.
Is FaceTite as good as a surgical facelift?
FaceTite results will not be as dramatic or long-lasting as a surgical facelift, but they will be significant and noticeable. Generally speaking, you can expect to see about 40% of the result you would with a surgical facelift, but that’s still a huge improvement, especially when you take into account the lower cost, risk, and recovery time. FaceTite is ideal for patients in their 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s, who may not have significant enough sagging, wrinkling, or drooping to warrant an invasive facelift. At your consultation with your cosmetic surgeon, they should go over all of your different options with you and give you a more detailed idea of what kinds of results you can expect for you personally. At that point, you can weigh the pros and cons of each procedure available and make a more informed decision about which one is right for you.
How long does it last?
The length of time FaceTite therapy will last depends on the individual patient, but generally, FaceTite results will last about 3-5 years for most people. You will see a change immediately after your treatment, but post-procedure swelling will initially obscure results and distort the contours of your face. The real results will start showing up about 2-4 weeks after treatment, with the most significant change occurring after 1 to 2 months, and continuing to improve for about 6 months.
How much does FaceTite cost?
The cost of FaceTite therapy will vary from patient to patient, depending on where you have the procedure performed, the experience level of your surgeon, and the number of areas you have treated. FaceTite is not covered by insurance, so patients will need to pay out-of-pocket. FaceTite can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $7,000, with the average cost being about $5,000. The total cost may be increased if your surgeon performs other procedures at the same time as FaceTite, such as Botox or dermal filler injections. You’ll get a more exact estimate at your consultation with your surgeon, and you may be able to take advantage of available financing options if you’re concerned about cost.
How long does the procedure take?
How long your FaceTite appointment will take will depend on how many treatment areas you want to address, but generally, FaceTite therapy takes anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours and is done in-office. If you are given an oral sedative, you may want to bring someone with you to drive you home afterward, but patients can generally go home right after treatment.
Does getting FaceTite hurt?
No, and that’s one of the most appealing factors about it for many patients. Before your procedure, you will be numbed with a diffuse local anesthetic that will make you unable to feel anything during the procedure. The anesthetic is injected with a small and thin needle, which causes very little pain during the shot itself. In addition to the local anesthetic, your surgeon or doctor will also usually give you an oral or gas sedative to keep you calm, comfortable, and relaxed during the procedure.
What is the recovery time for FaceTite?
The recovery time for FaceTite is much shorter than a surgical facelift, which makes it an attractive alternative for busy professionals and parents who can’t take a lot of time away from work and daily activities. Most patients who get FaceTite feel perfectly ready to return to work after about 3-5 days, if not before. Some of my patients opt to have the procedure done on a Friday so they have the extra time over the weekend to heal. The majority of patients can return to most normal activities after about two days.
You will have some swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort for about a week after getting FaceTite, but pain is usually easily controlled by over-the-counter pain medications. You may also experience some mild swelling that you can feel, but others cannot see. This will resolve in 3-5 weeks. You may have compression wrappings around your face following surgery in order to reduce swelling, and you should keep your head elevated as much as possible for the first couple of days after treatment. As always, follow your provider’s aftercare instructions vigilantly, and never hesitate to notify your doctor if something seems wrong or you’re experiencing troublesome symptoms.
Do I need a FaceTite doctor near me?
Not all plastic surgeons or cosmetics practitioners offer FaceTite or are certified to perform it, so you may need to travel a bit to find a qualified doctor. I perform FaceTite procedures on patients local to the Houston area and those who travel from elsewhere, just to ensure they have an expert working on them. Whether you live in Texas or are considering making the trip to Houston to have me do your FaceTite procedure, I’m always happy to answer any questions you may have and schedule an initial consultation.
Have questions? I’d love to help.
Call me at (281) 336-9300
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About Dr. Angela Sturm
Dr. Angela Sturm is a double-board certified facial plastic surgeon with certifications with the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery. Dr. Sturm’s meticulous nature makes for exceptional results and satisfied patients. Dr. Sturm was named Texas Monthly’s Super Doctors Rising Star in 2016-2017, Texas Monthly’s Super Doctor in 2018-2019, H Texas Magazine’s Top Doc in 2013-2018, Top Doc by Houstonia magazine in 2016-2018, Houston Business Journal’s People on the Move and 40 under 40, Blazing Star Award by Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Top Women in Business, one of the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston, Best Female Cosmetic Surgeon in Out Smart, and given the Patients’ Choice Award, On Time Doctor Award and Compassionate Doctor Award by Vitals.com.
