Technological advancements have helped revolutionize the field of cosmetic medicine. As practitioners who strive to stay on the cutting edge of our field, the team at The Maryland Institute of Plastic Surgery brings exciting, innovative tools and techniques into the menu of treatment options we offer our patients. One such choice is a unique nonsurgical offering called Profound® radiofrequency microneedling.
Profound has made waves for its remarkable ability to reverse the signs of aging by combining the effects of microneedling and radiofrequency therapy. The precise placement of tiny needles to create microscopic punctures in the skin causes your body’s healing process to kick into high gear, promoting new cell growth and the production of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin. Meanwhile, a burst of heat energy from the radiofrequency penetrates deeper into the skin and causes it to tighten. The result is smoother, firmer, and younger-looking skin.
What You Need to Know About Profound
Profound microneedling can produce rejuvenating results without incisions or sutures. Patients who are concerned about fine lines, wrinkles, skin sagging, and cellulite can enjoy the outstanding results this convenient, minimally invasive treatment option provides.
Profound is unique among comparable treatments because it can lift, volumize, and tighten in one procedure by stimulating a process known as neocollagenesis. Similar radiofrequency devices also rely on this principle, but do not offer the consistency, precision, and maximum tissue regeneration for which Profound has gained a reputation.
The Benefits of Profound
Profound is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to look younger, but who is not ready to commit to a full surgical facelift. It is also an alternative to getting injectable dermal fillers and neurotoxins.
Good candidates for the Profound procedure are people who have sagging skin – especially in the cheeks, chin, neck, and jawline – wrinkles along the cheeks, loss of volume in the mid-face, and upper lip wrinkles. Profound is also proven safe for all skin tones and types, and is the only device of its kind to receive FDA approval.
Profound therapy creates a wide range of improvements in the appearance of common signs of aging, including:
- Increasing the building blocks of healthy, youthful skin – collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid
- Smoother skin, fewer wrinkles, and improved skin tone
- Firmer, tighter skin in areas that are experiencing mild to moderate laxity
Frequently Asked Questions About Profound
Because Profound is a relatively recent breakthrough in aesthetic medicine, it’s understandable if you still have questions about what this in-office procedure entails. We are happy to help you become more informed about the results of Profound and what you can look forward to if you choose this treatment.
Q: What results should I expect?
A: The results of Profound are akin to a facelift, but also provide a volumizing effect that facelifts cannot match. In a clinical study by Syneron Candela, the manufacturers of Profound, patients experienced a remarkable 100 percent response rate for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and a 95 percent response rate for improving skin sagging.
Q: Am I a good candidate for Profound?
A: Because of its tightening effect, Profound is suitable for anyone who’s noticing significant signs of aging, such as sagging and drooping skin, jowls, and pronounced wrinkles. We recommend Profound for anyone who wants to reverse the effects of aging, but who is not ready to commit to a full surgical facelift. Profound is also an effective treatment for improving the appearance of cellulite. If you are pregnant, have a pacemaker, or have a history of poor skin healing, you should not get this procedure.
Q: How many treatments will I need?
A: Profound produces dramatic results in a single treatment. For optimum results, you may wish to have a follow-up Profound treatment at six months, with annual maintenance treatments thereafter. You may also choose to combine your Profound treatment with injectables to address issues such as undereye circles or wrinkles around your eye and eyebrow area.
Q: When can I expect results?
A: Results emerge gradually after your skin has moved through its natural healing process, and you’ll start noticing improvements in as little as two weeks after treatment. Your optimal results will appear six to nine months later.
Q: Is the treatment painful?
A: Before using the Profound device, we will provide a local anesthetic that numbs your skin and enables you to experience a comfortable, pain-free treatment. You may experience some discomfort during your healing process, but we can work with you to manage and minimize this issue as needed.
Q: Will I need to plan for downtime?
A: After your Profound treatment, you will be able to drive yourself home, since the anesthetic we use is topical. You should expect to be able to resume your normal activities within 24 to 48 hours. You’ll likely experience three to seven days of swelling and redness, similar to having a sunburn. There may also be some bruising as your skin undergoes the healing process. In addition, you’ll notice tiny dots on the treatment area, and up to a week of minor skin shedding. These effects are notably easy to tolerate, compared to a facelift, which has a much more extensive recovery period.
Q: How does Profound work for cellulite?
A: If you have cellulite, you know how frustrating the uneven, lumpy appearance of your skin can make you feel. Cellulite is notoriously difficult to get rid of, but Profound has shown extremely promising results. Profound uses radiofrequency energy to eliminate fat and prevent it from recurring, providing long-lasting outcomes in one single session.
Profound Radiofrequency Microneedling in Baltimore and Columbia
The Maryland Institute of Plastic Surgery pushes constantly to remain at the forefront of our field, and we are proud to be able to offer the groundbreaking Profound microneedling treatment to our patients. To determine if you would benefit from Profound to improve the appearance of your skin, contact us at either our Baltimore or Columbia office to schedule your private, personal consultation with one of our four board-certified cosmetic surgeons or our licensed esthetician.