FaceTite is a minimally invasive non surgical treatment using thermal contraction (heat) to deliver lifting of the lower face and neck. This, combined with careful targeted liposuction of jowls is incredibly effective. With thousands of treatments carried out in the world over 10 years, this treatment has proven results in offering a natural looking facelift without scalpels or scars.
What is FaceTite?
FaceTite is a minimally invasive procedure, which is used to treat lower face and neck laxity. As doctors, we know that heated skin will contract. The degree to which this happens depends on the amount of energy (or heat) delivered to the tissues. In heating the sub-dermal layer of the lower face, precisely and carefully, controlled contraction of the skin and subcutaneous tissues occurs which can give results equivalent to a mini face lift. Especially good results can be obtained by combining this with NeckTite and liposuction to remove fat from beneath the jaw line. This can give particularly impressive results. Especially if jowls are the main problem.
What happens during FaceTite?
The whole procedure takes about an hour and a half. First, detailed photographs are taken, the areas to be treated are identified with a patient marker pen and consent forms are signed. An antibiotic is given orally. The next step is administering the local anaesthetic. This is best done slowly so takes about 20 minutes to fully ‘numb up’ the face and (usually) neck. This is done with the patient lying down and is well tolerated. The next step involves achieving what we call ‘full asepsis’. This means the operator will scrub up, prepare the area to be treated with (usually) iodine, then cover all other areas with sterile surgical drapes.
Completely Painless
Small ‘punctures’ are made on either side of the face and under the chin in the middle. The Facetite handpiece is introduced into the first point (usually the right side first) and is advanced under the skin. Because of the way the local anaesthetic is used, this feels completely painless, only a slight ‘tugging’ sensation is felt.
When the FaceTite is activated a sound of ‘popping’ or crackling can be heard. This is all normal and indicates adequate heating of subcutaneous tissues with subsequent contraction. The more ‘popping’, the better in fact. Once the correct amount of energy is delivered, the second side is treated. Each side takes about 5-7 mins. This is followed by the neck from the central puncture just under the chin in the middle and is done over 3 areas, the middle then either side. Finally, liposuction is carried out slowly and with great precision to define the jaw line, concentrating on the jowl areas.
This done, the face and neck are cleaned of any remaining iodine and ink marking prior to treatment with Mopheus8. No stitches are needed. A specific face support (lipoelastic) is worn from that point and it is best to keep that garment on for 24 hours. Thereafter , it should be worn for a few hours each day for 2 weeks. It helps to reduce swelling and gives support to contracting tissues.
Essential Info
When will I see results?
The skin contracts about 40% of the total amount it will contract during the actual treatment. The rest is up to time, so be patient! Usually, results become obvious at about 4 months, but contraction will continue up to 2 years after treatment, slowing down a little in progress after 6 months. Some patients have noticed continued contraction and lifting up to 2-3 years. The important thing to remember is that the ongoing contraction is slow. Slower than coastal erosion probably, but it will happen!
How does it feel afterwards?
Expect to feel swollen for at least a week. This is partly the local anaesthetic solution we have injected, and partly the treatment itself. The face and neck will feel tender for a week and some report tenderness for up to a month. It is very common to feel numb in the areas treated, especially the jowls. The numbness can take two months to reduce and two more to resolve completely. There will also be small lumps just under the skin, especially in the neck. Think of it as spot welding! They are signs of subcutaneous tissue healing and will keep contracting as they smooth out over the next three months.
As with all treatments that involve making small incisions into the skin there are risks. They can be broadly categorised into short term and long term. In the short term, there can be bleeding and, consequently, bruising. Because adrenaline in used in the local anaesthetic, this is usually slight but can, nevertheless, happen.
Infection is also a possibility so this is the reason the treatment is carried out in a strictly aseptic technique in a clean, clinical environment and is also the reason an antibiotic is given on the day.
Because the treatment involves heating the subcutaneous tissues, burns are a risk. With care and experience, though, this is very rare. Lastly, there is a risk of nerve damage. This is extremely rare and, again, with correct technique, caution and experience, the risk is minimal. Also, if nerves are ‘bruised’ (neurpraxia) they do recover over a few weeks.
FaceTite From £2,750. NeckTite From £2,750. Combination Face/NeckTite From £2,750
Liposuction to contour the jawline and Morpheus8 treatment at the end of the procedure are included in the treatment.
FaceTite is usually only rarely treated on its own as the jaw line and upper neck are so integral to the overall result. Likewise, NeckTite. It would be an unusual case where the neck needs tightened but the face doesn’t!
