Hardware cosmetology is one of the best alternatives to surgical methods of rejuvenation. Non-surgical methods of facial rejuvenation are becoming increasingly popular among women of all ages. According to statistics, every year the number of such procedures increases by 14-15%.
Features of SMAS lifting
After 30 years, women begin to notice the appearance of the first signs of aging: facial wrinkles, pigmentation. Appropriate cosmetics can cope with such defects, but how to get rid of sagging skin, restore its former firmness and elasticity? After all, no matter how well-groomed she was, sagging cheeks, eyelids and eyebrows immediately give the woman's true age.
Tightening the skin with a classic lifting is not enough, the effect of this method is short-lived and insignificant. To significantly rejuvenate the face, it is necessary to work a little deeper - on the subcutaneous epithelium and muscles. After all, it is with their help that the framework is formed that does not allow the oval of the face to lose clarity.
Many cosmetology centers offer a wide selection of aesthetic problem correction for those who want to avoid surgical methods of lifting. The most popular and effective are considered hardware methods of facelift.
Types of hardware lifting:
- Radio frequencies are a painless method. However, the effect persists for a month and a half, after which a second course is required. The procedure helps only temporarily improve the appearance of the skin, removing bumps and small wrinkles;
- Laser. During the procedure, patients feel discomfort and tingling. Most often, a laser hardware method is used to remove various skin defects: scars, scars, papillomas and so on. This method also has a lifting effect. The tangible effect of a facelift can be assessed after 90-180 days. With the correct recovery process and facial skin care, the result can last for a year and a half;
- Ultrasound or SMAS lifting. This hardware method has been used since 2009. Only with the help of ultrasonic waves can one penetrate as deeply as through surgery.
A feature of hardware SMAS lifting is that it can increase the level of collagen production in the dermis and fat layers of the skin faster and better than other methods. By heating the internal tissues, the waves carry out micromassage, which saturate the muscles with oxygen. Also, using ultrasound, you can provide a deeper delivery of active substances that contribute to the creation of new collagen and elastin cells. During the procedure, the apparatus stimulates protein synthesis inside the cells, which contributes to a faster metabolism and the restoration of damaged cells.
Advantages of hardware SMAS lifting
At the moment, there are no analogues in hardware SMAS lifting.Only this procedure allows the ultrasound beam to act at a depth of 4.5 mm, that is, directly to the skeleton layer of the facial muscles. If desired, to achieve maximum results, hardware lifting can be combined with other anti-aging techniques.
One of the main advantages of SMAC lifting is its high efficiency with minimal trauma.
The device SMAS-lifting provides the most accurate focused radiation, due to which it is possible to distinguish the zones of exposure to ultrasonic pulses and the depth of penetration. It is not necessary to carry out the procedure on the whole face, only specific areas can be processed: eyelids, forehead, neck or chin. It is also possible to work on pronounced nasolabial wrinkles or wrinkles around the eyes.
The hardware SMAS lifting procedure is intended not only for the rejuvenation of the face, neck and décolleté. You can also process the inner thighs, abdomen and arms, and the technique is effective in the fight against cellulite.
The ultrasonic method of rejuvenation has practically no drawbacks. The rehabilitation period is minimal. Therefore, it can be held on any day off, as the redness passes in the coming hours.
Indications and contraindications
Before setting a date for the procedure, the patient undergoes an examination that will help to avoid negative consequences. As a rule, prohibitions are associated with anesthesia, which is why hardware SMAS face lifting has practically no side effects and consequences.
SMAS lifting is used in the following cases:
- With a strong omission of the muscular-aponeurotic system of the face;
- With the appearance of deep facial wrinkles and the allocation of nasolabial folds;
- With early skin aging;
- For preventive purposes, destructive processes in the skin layers, including ptosis of 1-2 degrees.
So that a facelift does not contrast too much with the skin of the neck and arms, it is recommended that additional therapy be carried out to improve these areas. To obtain and maintain a uniform and lasting effect, a patient will need to visit a cosmetologist only once every several years.
The maximum age mark at which hardware lifting will prove to be most effective is 40 years.
Contraindications to the procedure:
- Pregnancy and lactation;
- If the patient has a pacemaker;
- If the patient has implanted metal implants, except for dental ones;
- Severe diseases of the nervous system, including epilepsy;
- Diabetes mellitus and other pathologies of the endocrine system;
- Oncology of all types;
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- With a plentiful appearance of acne and acne;
- While taking medications that affect blood coagulation;
- Lupus erythematosus;
- Scleroderma;
- With inflammation of the skin areas subject to ultrasound treatment;
- The presence in the body of chronic and acute diseases caused by infections;
- Minor age.
Procedure
During the procedure, an apparatus equipped with 2-3 sensors is used. This helps to simultaneously process two layers of fabric at once. Using the apparatus, you can determine the thickness of the tissues and set the required depth of exposure.
The SMAS lifting procedure includes the following steps:
- First of all, with the help of cosmetic lotions and foams, the face skin is cleaned of traces of cosmetics and impurities;
- Further, the skin is treated with a special gel, which has an anesthetic effect. After half an hour, its remains must be removed;
- Before lifting, an antiseptic treatment is performed - the skin surface is wiped with chlorhexidine;
- With a special ruler, markings are applied to those zones that will be subjected to ultrasound exposure;
- A gel solution is applied on top of these markings, which contributes to the improved transmission of ultrasonic waves;
- Using the apparatus, ultrasonic processing is carried out first of one half of the face, then the other.This will make it possible to assess the difference between the result of “before” and “after” SMAS-lifting not only to a cosmetologist, but also to a patient;
- After all the zones have been processed, the gel is removed and a cosmetic lotion is applied that has a calming and moisturizing effect.
The average duration of hardware SMAS lifting is 45-50 minutes. With the correct procedure, the patient will feel only a slight tingling and warmth. The power of ultrasonic radiation is regulated depending on the individual sensations of each patient.
Recovery and side effects
One of the main advantages of SMAS lifting is the absence of a long recovery period. Immediately after the procedure, facial tissues can ache a little, but the sensations are not too intense and pass quickly.
During the recovery period, it is recommended:
- In the early days, avoid a strong and prolonged tilt of the face down;
- Do not visit baths, tanning salons, saunas;
- In the first seven days after hardware lifting, wash your face with cool water only;
- The first month after the procedure, you can be in the sun, but for this you need to apply sunscreen to the face;
- In the first few weeks, exclude strong physical activity and active strength exercises.
As already noted, due to the fact that anesthesia is not used with hardware SMAS lifting, side effects are minimal. For customers who, due to various circumstances and professions, cannot afford a long recovery period, this is extremely important. After all, a day after the ultrasound procedure, clients can return to their usual routine and lifestyle.
Possible side effects:
- Migraine;
- Nausea;
- Slight redness on the skin;
- In very rare cases, edema may occur, which disappears within a few hours.
The new collagen will gradually act over 3 months, however, this does not mean that you will have to wait a long time for the results and improvement of the facial contours. Immediately after the procedure, collagen will also stimulate less deep skin levels, that is, some improvements will be visible immediately after the session. Every day, wrinkles on the face will be less, and the firmness and elasticity of the skin will increase. The final result can be enjoyed after an incident of 3-4 months.
Most often, one hardware procedure is enough. In some cases, the cosmetologist recommends conducting a whole course - from 8 or more sessions. A long course is necessary when the signs of aging are strongly expressed on the face, and gentle procedures do not bring the desired result.
Skin care after the procedure
It is not difficult to take care of the skin and the area around the eyes after the procedure. Basically, this consists in intensively moisturizing the skin with creams, masks and protection against dehydration.
Within 2-3 weeks after SMAS lifting, you should also abandon the use of scrubs and aggressive cosmetics for washing. You can apply a tonal base to the skin and use other decorative cosmetics 5-6 hours after the end of the session. Compliance with the recommendations will help to properly care for your skin after the procedure, which will save the result as long as possible and will not allow any negative consequences.
One session of hardware SMAS lifting and proper skin care after the procedure can rejuvenate the face by about 10 years. As a result, sagging tissues in the cheeks, eyebrows, eyelids are tightened, the skin frame is restored, and a sharper oval face appears.
Opinions of cosmetologists
Galina Morofeeva, practicing beautician:
Cosmetology centers offer a wide range of techniques that can correct aesthetic flaws and eliminate the main signs of aging: sagging cheeks, eyelids, deep wrinkles, blurred oval face. Despite the huge number of ways, I always recommend ultrasound rejuvenation to my patients.Hardware SMAS lifting is the safest and most painless method for rejuvenating and lifting the face, which does not require a special recovery period, and it also has practically no side effects.
Daria Glushakova, cosmetologist, plastic surgeon:
As a rule, the final result will largely depend on the physiological characteristics of each patient. However, there is no doubt that hardware-based SMAS lifting does work. It is also worth noting that repeated procedures 3-4 years after the first session can significantly improve the results. Ultrasonic waves are effective in combating the signs of aging, but no method can replace a surgical facelift. If you intend to achieve significant results, I recommend resorting to plastic surgery. If you need a slight facelift, smoothing wrinkles, and so on, in this case, hardware lifting is the best choice.
Tatyana Bulatova, cosmetologist:
In recent years, the most popular non-surgical method of rejuvenation is hardware SMAS-lifting. Ultrasonic waves tighten the skin in the area of the eyebrows, cheeks and neck, and also correct the sagging oval of the face. Despite all the advantages of this technology, it must be understood that it will not lead to the same results as surgical intervention. A hardware facelift is ideal for those who do not want to resort to plastic surgery for rejuvenation.
Customer reviews about SMAS lifting
The final result, duration and painlessness of the procedure depends on the competence and experience of the cosmetologist, as well as on the series of the device used to lift the face. Many photos of patients “before” and “after” the procedures published on the websites of cosmetology centers and specialized forums are really impressive. Most women who have tested this method of rejuvenation, boldly share their feelings and impressions of the result.
Veronica, 43 years old:
I’ve been doing face lifting for 4 years, but I tried ultrasonic SMAS rejuvenation just now. I had not heard about this procedure before, I only knew about laser methods and radio frequency. Hardware SMAS lifting was advised by my beautician. Since I have known her for a long time and for a long time I have been using only her services, I immediately agreed to try this method. Tightening was done with the Alter apparatus. Despite the fact that the device is criticized at various women's forums, the beautician advised him. Indeed, using Alter, the procedure was somewhat painful. As a rule, the final result can be estimated after 3-3.5 months, but it took me half a year. At first it seemed to me that it would not be better and the procedure is not so effective. But six months later, I realized that at 43 I looked at all 30. I am very pleased with the result. It is especially great that the effect persists for several years at once.
Ekaterina, 48 years old:
The forums inspired me to decide on rejuvenation with the help of hardware SMAS lifting. There, both the positive and negative sides of the procedure are analyzed in great detail. After seeing the pictures where the skin after the procedure really changes and looks younger, I decided to try it. At the moment, only a month has passed since the procedure, the beautician assures that the effect will be even stronger. But now I notice changes - the skin has become more elastic, soft and moisturized. Some wrinkles were smoothed out, the face was slightly tightened, but the muscles felt a tone. I look forward to the final result, although now I do not regret that I decided!
Margarita, 52, Ufa:
Already at 47 years old I had a full complex of aging face: deep wrinkles, pronounced nasolabial folds, a second chin, and shots. When I turned to the beautician, she doubted and immediately admitted that this method might not work for me, but I still insisted.I easily underwent the procedure, although I expected it to be painful and unpleasant. However, the only treatment I felt was the eyelid region, where the skin was very delicate and sensitive, and there were plenty of wrinkles there. 4 and a half months passed, the second chin finally disappeared, the cheeks returned to their proper place, and the skin no longer looked like a dried apple. I believe that for my age this is an excellent result, it would hardly be possible to achieve better. Therefore, I think that women should not be afraid of rejuvenation with the help of new technologies, regardless of age.
Alexandra, 36 years old:
Most of all I did not like the floating oval of the face. To pull it up, I tried many methods: exercises, massages, special diets, but nothing worked. Despite the fact that I do not have many facial wrinkles and a good figure, this defect still showed true age. I did not believe in hardware cosmetology. I decided on it after a good example - my work colleague got rid of this problem with the help of SMAS lifting. After this procedure, I was delighted with how the oval of the face was corrected. I didn’t like only the fact that the result has to wait a long time. But the second chin disappeared, and the skin on the neck became elastic. The lifting effect is really good, but a nice bonus was that the wrinkles disappeared, the skin on the face tightened, and, in general, began to look younger.
Tatyana, 28 years old:
I made myself SMAS lifting on Double. I decided on the procedure spontaneously. I signed up for a cosmetologist for another session, and when she came and talked about her problem, she persuaded me to hardware rejuvenation. The cosmetologist told me in detail about the device itself that it is Korean-made. I liked him. During the procedure, she did not feel pain, although she warned that some discomfort could be. I noticed the first results after 3 weeks: the chin became smoother and the oval of the face is now not so blurry. Every day was getting better. The skin became soft and supple, peeling and constant dryness disappeared.
Julia, 42 years old:
My skin is very saggy, my cheeks are sliding and every day my second chin is getting bigger. Initially, I wanted to use plastic surgery. I was very afraid of the operation and its consequences, but still decided to do it. When the beautician conducted the examination, and I talked about my wishes, she began to tell me about the hardware method, which has been maintained for 3 years. I did not hear anything about SMAS lifting and, of course, did not believe that it is possible to rejuvenate so without surgery. In the end, I decided to take a chance and do an ultrasound procedure. An Alter apparatus was used in the cabin, the procedure went practically without pain and took 40 minutes. First I was treated with one half of my face, photographed and shown. Even then, in comparison with the other side of the face, I noticed changes for the better. It was very hard to wait for the final result, personally for me. Fortunately, deep wrinkles and nasolabial folds disappeared almost immediately after the procedure. The oval of the face fully tightened within 2.5 weeks. At the moment, a year has passed since the SMAS lifting and I am very pleased. Definitely recommend it!
Svetlana, 41 years old:
I decided to do ultrasonic lifting according to the recommendations of my sister. She made herself a surgical lift and began to look even younger than me, although she was 49 years old. I did not decide on the operation, so I began to look for alternative methods. In the cosmetology center, I was recommended to do an SMAS lift, in which anesthesia is not used and pain is not felt. However, the effect of lifting was minimal, and the procedure is quite painful. I was reassured that the effect can be fully appreciated in 3-4 months. As a result: the facial skin tightened, some facial wrinkles smoothed out, but nothing more. Still, this method cannot be compared with the surgical method.I was convinced of this on my own experience, therefore I recommend doing a facelift with ultrasound only to get rid of minor defects.
Olga, 53 years old:
My daughter gave me a facelift session; I myself would never have decided on such a thing. To be honest, I wanted to return the certificate or exchange it for some ordinary massage course or regular masks, and then I thought - why not do it? I did not like the procedure itself, it hurt me, and it lasted quite a long time - 2 hours. It was especially painful and uncomfortable when the area around the eyes and mouth was treated. The result was promised in 3 months, but I noticed it right after the procedure. Maybe the oval of the face has not changed much, as they said, but the wrinkles were smoothed out, the skin tightened, it became more firm and elastic. It’s good that I decided to take a chance and agreed to the procedure. After all, thanks to lifting, I really got younger.
Maria, 39 years old:
I decided to surprise my husband and make a facelift. Usually, after cosmetic procedures, he noticed only that the skin became smoother, but did not notice the anti-aging effect. I was very afraid, especially after having read negative reviews. Many women complained about the lack of the desired result, the high cost and redness after the procedure. As a result, I did not regret that I decided to do hardware SMAS lifting. I practically did not feel any discomfort, there was no redness, and my husband noticed the result immediately. On the same day, he asked what kind of new procedure I tried, and every day the result was getting better. The effect was especially noticeable in the cheeks and chin, and small wrinkles were smoothed out, but the oval remained the same. Now the skin on my face looks toned, as if I'm 30 years old again, this is incredible. Finally, I am satisfied, and my husband noticed external changes.
Valentina, 39 years old:
Four months ago, she did a hardware facelift on the Korean U-one device. The procedure was not at all what its friends described it. Firstly, they did not give me anesthetic. Secondly, they said that I myself would choose the appropriate intensity. Thirdly, the markings were the same as before the plastic surgery, although they wrote that this stage was also different. But I did not feel pain, unpleasant sensations, but tolerable. Now the result is much more noticeable: the skin has smoothed out, it has become softer, the oval has been corrected and tightened. The cosmetologist assures that this is not the final result, and the cumulative effect inherent in SMAS-lifting, which will continue to manifest itself for some time.
