No matter how many millions of dollars that we spend on anti-aging creams and restorative surgery, we can never overcome gravity, which is at the heart of all wrinkles, sagging skin and drooping eyelids. While it’s true that no topical applications are stronger than Father Time, non-invasive skin tightening and toning technology does offer excellent temporary fixes that last on the average from two to 10 years, depending on the procedure used, as well as an individual’s genetics and type of skin.

Matching our more inner youthful spirit and a younger face without the use of invasive surgeries and the attendant weeks of swelling and skin discoloration is no longer a tall order to fill, thanks to the variety of painless, safe and non-invasive facial treatments that take advantage of radio frequencies and ultrasound vibrations. From light chemical facial peels that refresh the skin, crystal-free microdermabrasion, microcurrent and ultrasound, the effects of aging, wrinkles and damaged skin can now be managed via what skin specialists have labeled the lunchtime facelift. This term, which has emerged within the last five or six years, generally refers to facial rejuvenations and mini-lifts that are the result of minimally invasive procedures and quick recovery times. Natural Awakenings turned to local spa owners and estheticians to learn more about such anti-aging measures and quick uplifts.

At Spa de Larissa, in Naples, the Vita Lift Non-Surgical Face Lift is an electro-lifting “workout” for the 55 muscles of the face. Very effective for sagging skin, Vita Lift uses an electrochemical, bipolar microcurrent that targets specific muscles. A customized facial is included. “Adding a Vita Peel and microdermabrasion prior to this treatment provides a jumpstart by removing the top layers of skin and regenerating the epidermis,” says Larissa Smolen, spa owner.

From an anti-aging and ageless beauty perspective, acupuncture is a valuable ally for the face. According to Teri Evans, acupuncturist, doctor of Oriental medicine and owner of TAE Healthy Aging, in Naples, facial rejuvenation acupuncture (FRA) provides benefits beyond skin-deep. “FRA, a specific system for the face, turns back the

clock and takes years off your appearance. By systemically treating the whole body via the energetic channels of the face, its muscular structure also benefits. FRA can reshape patterns of aging, reduce lines and wrinkles, improve complexion and provide a natural acupuncture facelift,” says Evans.

Michelle Brown, a licensed acupuncture physician and owner of Alternative Natural Healthcare, in Bonita Springs, offers skin needling, also called dermarolling, and micro-needling therapy. “I apply skin rollers with fine surgical steel needles directly to the upper dermis in a crisscross motion. It stimulates the collagen and elastin production. Needling uses the body’s natural healing process to stimulate collagen deposits while preserving the epidermis,” advises Brown.

From light chemical facial peels that refresh the skin, crystal-free microdermabrasion, microcurrent and ultrasound, the effects of aging, wrinkles and damaged skin can now be managed via what skin specialists have labeled the lunchtime facelift.
 

Tehjan Prendiville, owner of Assuage Spa Luxury, with locations in Fort Myers and Naples, recommends Ultherapy, a non-surgical skin rejuvenation procedure that uses ultrasound to target the deep foundational layer of skin. The only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved device for facial tightening and brow elevation, it produces gradual tightening and firming results for a natural lift of the skin over time. Intense Pulse Light Therapy, another non-surgical skin rejuvenation procedure that tightens and firms skin, also uses ultrasound. “Diamond Microdermabrasion is a good addition. This gentle mechanical process of exfoliation removes the outermost surface of the skin, diminishes fine lines, lightens skin discoloration from sun damage and rejuvenates dull-looking skin,” she says.

At Andrea’s Organic Hair Studio & Day Spa, in Naples, LED “light” Therapy is a painless, even relaxing skin-care treatment that plumps up aging skin by boosting collagen production. “LED works by sending energy-producing packets of light into deeper layers of the skin. Red light stimulates the fibroblasts that produce collagen, giving skin a plump look, while minimizing fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage,” explains spa owner Andrea Sorrenti.

Radio frequency facial rejuvenation energy penetrates deep into the skin and affects the deeper dermis and subcutaneous layers, causing tightening and improvements to the underlying tissue structure. It treats the forehead (lifts brows and tightens the forehead skin), under the eyes (thickens skin and tightens and lifts the upper cheek skin), cheeks (lifts slightly and diminishes enlarged pores), mid-face, jaw line (diminishes jowling and sagging along the jaw line), and neck (tightens skin and diminishes wrinkling of the neck).

Purely You Spa, in Naples, a certified organic spa, uses a powerful system of red light therapy to encourage collagen production and healing that is ideal for tightening pores, promoting collagen regeneration and diminishing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. “It generally takes six treatments of 10 to 15 minutes each to achieve desired results, with maintenance treatments every 45 to 60 days thereafter,” remarks spa owner Jennifer Alvarez.

Skin Renewal Systems, on Marco Island, helps skin look younger and more vibrant with numerous varieties of facial services, which include the Microcurrent Non-Surgical Facelift, which promotes the production of collagen to firm and lift naturally. “The spa also offers skin needling and LED light therapy,” advises spa owner Elizabeth Havens.

To reduce the fine lines of aging, Organic Skincare & Bodyworx in Naples also offers LED light therapy, numerous facials and crystal free microdermabrasion that return a more youthful appearance. “They are all pain free and there is no recovery time,” says Jayne Koedding, spa owner.

Trim & Tone Spa, in Naples, offers two different non-surgical facelifts. One combines microcurrent and the Ultimate Ultrasonic EpiWave treatment, which provides exfoliation without the irritation and inflammation generally associated with microdermabrasion. Microcurrent, applied to each muscle group of the face and neck, mimics the electrical impulses of the body to lift and tone and contour jowls, double chins and droopy eyelids. It increases blood flow, as well as collagen, and diminishes capillaries, dark circles and puffiness. Results are cumulative over a series of six to 12 treatments.

“My facelift specialty combines two devices with powerful technologies, ultrasound vibrations and radio

frequency energy. Exilis Elite, recognized by New Beauty magazine as the “best skin-tightening device”, is a non-invasive, non-surgical, skin-tightening instrument that causes collagen to contract for smoother skin and visible reduction of facial wrinkles. Exilis rejuvenates the production of collagen for even more skin tightening. We see immediate results when treating the face, neck, and arms,” advises spa co-owner Shelle Misiorowski.

While Southwest Florida offers numerous skin experts skilled in anti-aging procedures for the face, the real defense for staving off the appearance of aging is to eat right, drink plenty of water, exercise and get enough sleep.

Resouces

Alternative Natural Healthcare, 26381 S. Tamiami Tr., Bonita Springs. 239-947-6234. AlternativeNaturalHealthCare.net.

Andrea’s Organic Studio & Day Spa, 6714 Lone Oak Blvd., Naples. 239-514-4707. NaplesOrganicHairStudio.com.

Assuage Spa Luxury, 9407 Cypress Lake Dr., Ste. C, Ft. Myers. 239-333-1450. 1201 Piper Blvd. Unit 1, Naples. 239-333-1450. AssuageCenters.com.

Purely You Spa, 3066 Tamiami Tr. N., Ste. 302, Naples. 239-331-8266. PurelyYouSpa.com.

Skin Renewal Systems, 1000 N. Collier Blvd., Ste. 11 and 13, Marco Island. 239-394-1083. SkinRenewalMarco.com.

Spa de Larissa, Airport Professional Center, 3811 Airport Rd. N., Ste. 201-B, Naples. 239-571-9900. FacialSpaDeLarissa.com.

Tae Healthy Aging Center, 11983 Tamiami Tr. N., Ste. 100A, Naples. 239-430-6800. TaeHealthyAging.com.

Trim & Tone Spa, 1201 Piper Blvd., Ste. 20, Naples. 239-596-5522. TrimAndToneSpa.com.