The Newest Facelift Alternative: CPS Introduces the Profound RF Device


There’s more than one way to get the face you’ve always dreamed of—to minimize the signs of aging, to turn back the clock, to look and feel more youthful and confident. The obvious approach, of course, is to get a facelift, and that’s certainly something we offer to our patients here at Charlotte Plastic Surgery. Yet we can also offer anti-aging services for those who don’t wish to go under the knife—so what is a facelift alternative? A device called the Profound® RF.

In this post, we’ll introduce you to this breakthrough device—showing you what it is, how it works, and whether or not it’s a good option for you.

What is The Profound® RF?

The Profound® is a device that works on radio-frequency heat energy—meaning it’s non-surgical and very tolerable.  When applied to the face and neck areas, these radio-frequency treatments help to tighten the skin, but also improve volume and skin elasticity thanks to an increase in collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production.  These treatments can have a demonstrable impact in various places, but they’re most impactful around the jowl line and the wrinkles or creases around the mouth. In tightening the skin, the Profound® can also reduce the appearance of cellulite, which is another unwanted signifier of age.

In other words, it can give you many of the positive benefits of a facelift procedure, but without the need to actually have any kind of surgery. It’s not hard to understand why this has immediately become one of our most popular anti-aging services. This makes Profound® a great facelift alternative.

How Does This Non-Surgical Facelift Alternative Work?

But what’s the science behind all this? How exactly do radiofrequency waves yield these positive effects?

Basically, the Profound® device stimulates the production of new hyaluronic acid, new collagen, even new elastin—all of which are imperative for keeping the skin tight and youthful. In fact, these naturally-produced substances are all critical parts of the body’s healing process. Their production can become dormant as the body ages, but Profound® RF revitalizes them.

That’s not to say that this works quite as extensively as the different types facelift procedures—but in our experience, it produces about a third the total effects of surgery. For many of our patients, that’s more than enough to help them meet their personal goals.

Indeed, the ultimate effect of Profound® RF treatments isn’t just a minor “cosmetic” effect, but the production of whole new, healthy tissues—potentially resulting in a major change to your physical appearance, including firmer, healthier, and smoother-looking skin.

Where Can Profound® RF Be Used?

While the Profound® RF device can be used in various places, it’s important to be aware of the places where it’s typically most effective.

For one, we highly recommend it to patients who feel as though they have lost definition along the jawline—specifically those who feel like their skin has gotten a little saggy, producing a “jowl” effect. That’s something the Profound® treatment tends to help with.

We also recommend application around the mouth. If you’ve noticed an abundance of wrinkles, smile marks, and other fine lines around your mouth, these anti-aging services can help smooth things out.

Finally, those who have lost volume in their cheeks will often find that Profound® RF provides a perfect level of new tissue growth, allowing for a more robust physical appearance.

All great places as a facelift alternative.

Who’s a Good Candidate for Profound® RF?

One of the many virtues of this treatment is that radiofrequency waves affect everyone about the same—regardless of skin type and color. As such, anyone who wants to volumize and define the skin along their mouth, jawline, or cheeks could potentially be a good candidate for Profound® RF. And, those who wish to have visible cellulite minimized may also find the Profound® to be valuable. (One caveat is that Profound is not recommended for those who are pregnant.)

How Many Treatments Does It Take?

Some patients are understandably skeptical of anti-aging facial procedures that require a long sequence of treatments. The good news with Profound® RF is that is usually has the desired effect with just one treatment, though there are infrequent exceptions where a follow-up treatment might be needed.

When you arrive at the office for your treatment, a local numbing agent is applied to whichever area you’re having treated—ensuring that the treatment is as comfortable as possible.

Are There Any Side Effects to Profound® RF?

The treatments are administered by one of our providers using a small, hand-held device. You’ll be able to go home shortly after receiving the treatment and can anticipate some minor side effects—including bruising and swelling. Most patients find that these side effects last for anywhere from three to five days, and can be largely concealed with make-up.

Beyond that, there typically aren’t serious side effects to Profound® RF, and patients shouldn’t require much “down time” at all before they feel normal again. This is one of the reasons our non-surgical facelift alternatives are very popular.

Should I Choose Profound® RF or a Facelift?

Of course, many patients will wonder which of our anti-aging services is better—a facelift or an RF treatment. There’s no correct answer here; it all depends on your goals, and the best way to make an informed decision is to come speak with one of our surgeons one-on-one.

Certainly, the Profound® RF is not meant to be a replacement for a facelift. It doesn’t offer the kind of major anatomical changes that a facelift does. For those seeking to totally transform the proportions of their face, Profound® RF probably isn’t enough.

Yet, for anyone who simply wants to reverse some of the wrinkles, loose skin, and poor definition that can come with aging, Profound® RF is an accessible option that comes with fewer side effects than a facelift.

Again, the best way to determine which option is right for you is to come meet with us at CPS.

Learn More from Charlotte Plastic Surgery

At Charlotte Plastic Surgery, we are pleased to provide our clients with a full range of anti-aging services. Part of our job is helping patients determine which of those services is the right fit for them. To speak with us more about the different options, make an appointment at Charlotte Plastic Surgery at your next opportunity!