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Agnes Radio Frequency

Radiofrequency treatments started over 140 years ago with the invention of electrolysis in 1875. With the advent of laser hair removal in the 1990s the demand for electrolysis has fallen but researchers have looked for new applications. Key among these has been the targeting of the sebaceous gland (which cause acne), blackheads, syringomas, wrinkles and fat pads under the eyes and chin.

The Agnes machine is unique in that its inventor Dr Gun Young Ahn, a professor of dermatology in Korea, as devised very precisely made needles with appropriate depths to target the structures in the skin causing the problem. The needles have an insulating coating, also engineered to a precise depth, to protect other structures in the skin and also the epidermis.

The coating means sufficient power can be delivered to the target tissue while causing minimal effects to other areas. The machine has also exact control over pulse duration and power. These factors means little downtime or risk of pigment changes.

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How are the treatment done?

Agnes RF procedures depend on targeted tissue. Many treatments can be performed simply with  application of anaesthetic cream 20 minutes before the procedure. The treatment then is relatively painless. In the case of eyebag treatments and deeper treatments local anesthetic injections may be used in addition to the anaesthetic gel. In the case of active acne treatments you may be advised to return in 24 to 48 hours for some light bipolar RF treatment plus further drainage of any remaining sebum/pus.

For the actual treatment the needle being used is inserted into the acne follicle, wrinkle, fat pad and the machine is fired off with a precise number of shots depending on target tissue.

Acne, Comedones, Blackheads, Syringiomas, Wrinkles, Eye-bags, Chin fat pads, lower face tightening

Immediately after the procedure for eye-bags and heavy deep lines the skin surface will be pink and sensitive for 3-10 days, again depending on depth. Some bruising is common also. Ice bags may be applied every half hour to reduce discomfort and minimise swelling. You may like some to take some Panadeine for discomfort or Phenergen 25mg for itch and to help sleep at night (these are both OTC medications

Benefits from a single treatment should be permanent but his does not mean you can treat everything in a single treatment so 2 or 3 treatments may be needed to maximize improvement. These repeat treatments could be 3 to 6 months later from initial treatment (or sooner eg 6 weeks in the case of active acne).

For deep lines and eye-bags downtime is between 3-7 days of swelling and redness followed by a further week of less severe redness. (It is possible to do lighter treatments with less downtime but more treatments may be needed later.) The redness and swelling should be able to be covered by foundation at day 4. Sometimes with heavy treatments there may be numbness and hypersensitivity of the treated area for up to 4 weeks.

For acne, syringomas, blackheads side effects are from mild redness for 1-3 days. This can usually be covered with some foundation or tinted moisturizer. No specific aftercare is needed for these procedures.

For deep wrinkles and eye-bags, about 1-2 weeks later, when you have pretty much recovered, the area my actually looks “worse” than it did before the procedure. This is normal. Much of the benefit appears over the coming months as new collagen is deposited under the skin and the skin begins to remodel its structure. For treatment of eye-bags it will take 2-6 months for the fat cells to be removed by the body’s macrophages.

For Acne, Comedones, Blackheads, Syringiomas benefits may be within a few weeks but similarly to wrinkles it may take up to 6 months to complete remodeling and remove damaged tissue

Possible temporary complications are bruising, redness, numbness, hypersensitivity, acne outbreak, herpes, yeast or bacterial infection. (Cold sore and Shingles outbreaks may occasionally occur if you are susceptible so we give valaciclovir 500mg as a single tablet for the first 3 days to reduce risk of this.)

Temporary crusting and oozing as well as permanent scarring, increased or decreased skin colour and persistent tightness around the eye are possible rare complications.

Good to Know
Not only can it improve collagen and elastin levels but it can also reduce inflammation, acne and speed up cell regeneration.