Pelleve- Get Your Glow On!!!!

O.K., what have have you done now???  I have been fielding questions for two days now... My clients and everyone who I work with, knows I am game for just about anything and they are always up for new tales from the beauty trenches.  I had a Pelleve treatment administered on Wednesday at Dr. Z. Paul Lorenc Park Avenue office by the lovely Carissa McCormack.  What exactly is Pelleve???

Pelleve is a revolutionary non-surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate skin.  Used safely and effectively to combat aging with virtually no pain and little downtime The Pelleve Wrinkle Reduction System (http://www.pelleve.com/) is a radiofrequency system that allows patients to have a cosmetic treatment which feels like a warm, relaxing massage. Recently, it was featured on the Dr.Oz Show. Here's what the buzz is all about:

The Procedure:  

Performed in an MD office, The Pelleve Wrinkle Reduction System softens wrinkles on the face by slowly heating the deep layers of the skin with a warming device powered by advanced radiowave technology.  The heat helps create new collagen, plumps up wrinkles and firms, tightens and brightens skin - results can be seen immediately and last six months... The entire treatment takes less than an hour, and depending on the patient, they can have 1-3 sessions with a few weeks in between each. The side effects and discomfort are minimal (busy patients can go back to work), and no drugs or anesthetics are used.  No needles,  no downtown and  no pain and Pelleve works well on men and women of all ages. 

Below are some Frequently asked Questions and Answers about Pelleve from their website and my experiences with the procedure:


How does Pelleve work?
Pellevé delivers constant, gradual energy to the skin, causing heat to build up where the skin and fat layer come together. The increasing heat modifies the collagen bundles deep inside the skin, causing them to contract and stimulating the growth of new collagen over time. This results are firmer, tighter skin.


How long does the Pellevé procedure take?
A full facial treatment typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Because no anesthesia is used and any swelling is minor, there is no downtime. (My treatment took 45 minutes.  Carissa focused more on my lower face, including my neck, after I told her I had already achieved  great firming results with Ultherapy).


What should I expect during the Pellevé procedure?
First, a protective gel is applied to the face. Patients say they feel a deep warming sensation when the doctor touches the area being treated with the Pellevé hand piece. No anesthetic is used, so you will act as a guide to describe the depth of the sensation as the doctor moves the hand piece across your face. (I had one minor ouchy and Carissa quickly moved on, otherwise there was zero discomfort.  We chatted amiably through the whole procedure and I was completely relaxed).


What about after the procedure?
Mild swelling and redness may occur, but studies have shown that this usually goes away within a few hours to a day. ( I had neither and thought I looked dewy, glowing and good to go, immediately after the treatment. I couldn't bear to muck it up with makeup so I snapped this picture as soon as I got home so you could see how I looked after the procedure with zero face makeup or lipstick...look closely, you may never see this again)!:

How long does it take to see results?
Many people see the result immediately after just one treatment, with lasting improvement for up to six months as the skin produces new collagen. Additional treatments may improve results, so you should consult with your doctor for a recommended number of treatments. (Carissa told me some patients do follow up with a second procedure about 6 weeks later, but many maintain their results once a year).  I think the results below, taken at 30 days post treatment are excellent!  Don't you???:

The all important How much does a Pelleve treatment cost?  was nowhere to be found. 
I imagine that rates do vary from state to state, just like all goods and services do.  My initial research turned up about $600 a treatment, but at Dr. Lorenc's office that would be for either the lower or upper face, so a full face would be double.  Dr. Lorenc is one of N.Y.'s most highly regarded, oft quoted Park Avenue Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (983 Park Avenue 212-472-2900).  It is not entirely unexpected that his prices would fall at the higher end of the scale then they might by a practice in Tulsa.

 Here is what Dr. Lorenc had to say about Pelleve:

"Pellevé does not have the discomfort associated with some other skin tightening therapies,”  “Pellevé is ideal for patients seeking effective yet natural looking solutions without downtime and at a price they can afford. Pellevé skin tightening technology fills this important role in my practice.  My patients love it. With four different sizes of GlideSafe hand pieces, the treatment can be customized even more easily for each patient.  And with the new larger 20 mm spot size, the treatment takes less time, and is even more comfortable for both the patient and the user.”

I think this is absolute WINNER!!!  No pain all gain!!!  Now get glowing...

xox,

DD