‘Seven Years Younger’

The eMatrix skin resurfacing treatment uses radiofrequency energy to tighten and tone —
and sometimes make patients look years younger.

by Mark Thompson

Looking to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while tightening a selected area of skin thanks to a boosting of collagen production? You are not alone. Skin resurfacing is gaining in popularity as more and more people strive for smoother complexions and the reduction of unsightly facial lines and scars.

Take the case of Michelle Owen who, at 45, was suffering from sun damaged skin and wasn’t happy with the overall texture of her skin. The Kingston business woman and mother was especially unhappy when she noticed that “fine lines were starting to appear”.

She learned that radiofrequency (RF) technology had become one of the most favorable treatment options for skin rejuvenation procedures, especially for people who do not want to undergo surgery or have a procedure that involves a lot of downtime.
Specifically, RF treatments are used for skin resurfacing, acne treatments, and even for diminishing lines and wrinkles through skin tightening.

When Owen travelled to Shine’s clinic in Ottawa, she was duly impressed. “I was educated on my skin type and what the treatment was going to do for me personally,” she says, adding that, “It was the reassurance of the staff that gave me confi-
dence that the results would follow.”

On-the-Spot Treatment
Like so many others, Owen was told about the eMatrix system, developed by Syneron Inc., that aids in the tightening and toning of the skin due to the emission of deep dermal heat that provides clinical benefits. Results stem from the induction of a skin injury on
a tiny grid of ‘matrix spots’ that leaves the majority of the skin’s surface untreated.

“This allows the treatment to achieve effective textual improvement to the skin with significantly less recovery time than traditional ablative laser resurfacing,” reports Australian Cosmetic Surgery Magazine. “After the treatment, patients will have increased levels of collagen and new healthy skins cells are produced. Mild to moderate wrinkles and superficial skin dis-
colorations are reduced, and the skin’s texture becomes smoother and more elastic in quality.”

The benefits of the eMatrix fractional skin resurfacing treatment can include:
* Reduction of wrinkles and fine lines
* Treatment of acne scars
* Improved texture and tone of the skin
* Reduced pigmentation and superficial age spots
* Improvement of skin laxity

There is also evidence that eMatrix is effective at tightening up surface skin cells, removing superficial skin lesions, promoting deep scar revision, and reducing or removing unwanted freckles.

Easy and Painless
“The short treatment cycle makes the procedure very popular, with results intended to show immediately,” says Francine DesRosiers, RN, Clinical Manager at Shine. She points out that after a period of seven days, Shine patients may notice that their skin appears firm-er and more resilient, while continued treatments with
the eMatrix system can help create a smooth, toned skin that promotes an overall youthful appearance.

“I am very pleased with my results,” says Owen. “I feel that the texture of my skin has improved; my skin is softer, tighter and looks fresher.”

The eMatrix procedure takes about 30 minutes for the full face. (Shine has not yet offered a procedure for the chest and the hands.) Most people see optimum results after three treatments, performed at intervals, although the number of required treatments is determined on an individual, case-by-case basis.

“After three treatments, my skin could not look and feel any better,” insists Owen, adding that people have even stopped her to ask what has changed. “Just the other day someone guessed my age [as] seven years younger than I am. That is a great feeling.”