Electrical treatment using probes at the Caci Clinic. Photo/George Novak
Cosmetic enhancement or appearance medicine is no longer just in the kits of the rich and famous, but every day more women are resorting to a little help to stay fresh-looking.
Botox and fillers are in the regular regimes for some women while others may even consider full surgical facelifts.
While a full surgical facelift can take years off your look, it may be out of reach for many given the cost. Then there is the fear of "going under the knife", the risks of surgery.
For some women Botox is a scary thought, and even the prospect of losing some wrinkles may not convince you if you are scared of needles, or just don't like the thought of something like fillers being injected in your face.
It sounds too good to be true to have a facelift done in a clinic without anaesthetic, scarring or needles, and at a fraction of the cost of a full surgical facial.
Internationally, this is one of the most popular non-surgical treatments, with a cult following amongst many famous people from the world of show business, music, media and royalty but, in New Zealand, it is still very much a word of mouth beauty secret.
I was invited by Caci clinic Tauranga to try it.
Caci brought this machine to New Zealand over 20 years ago. It was actually where the name Caci came from; named for the Computer Aided Cosmetology Instrument, or CACI non-surgical facelift. "It was originally invented for the astronauts' muscles when they returned from space to strengthen them.
The medical field then treated Bell's Palsy and stroke victims with the machine. The beauty industry found a place for this machine to prevent and help reduce signs of ageing," explains Michaela Shaw, Caci training manager.
So, given that if someone wanted a real surgical facelift, and may be concerned about sagging skin and wrinkles, how does the non-surgical method work?
Michaela gives the analogy of a regular gym workout but for the face.
"Most of us go to the gym to tone and strengthen our body muscles, however we forget about looking after our facial muscles. This treatment uses microcurrents to tighten and tone sagging facial muscles. The CACI system use a microcurrent applied to the skin through two cotton-tipped wands to activate the electric synapses in the muscles; stimulating and re-educating the fibres and restoring the muscles."
Michaela says the results are different to a facelift because whereas one is a surgical procedure which tightens only the skin, the CACI non-surgical works on toning and firming face muscles along with rejuvenating and enabling skin to become healthier.
The one-off treatment starts at $120 and is not much different pricing to a facial, but Caci advises a course of treatments to achieve maximum results. The course and price will be tailored to your skin's needs. Typically, you have 10-12 Caci non-surgical treatments over a year, then a maintenance programme of a treatment every four to six weeks.
Michaela says you can have the treatment as a stand-alone or combine it with Botox and fillers.
"We often find that the end result is much better when all three treatments are combined. However, there is a waiting period of at least two weeks between having Botox and fillers, before having a CACI non-surgical treatment."
For me, therapist Monique at the company's Tauranga clinic, decides on a course combining microdermabrasion and glycolic peels before each treatment. Each treatment takes about an hour.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is used to even skin tone and texture using fine crystals and a suction tool. It helps shed impurities and dead layers of skin. It can be used alone to treat concerns such as dull, environmentally weathered skin, uneven or blotchy pigmentation, freckles, blackheads, sun damage and fine lines.
The treatment exposes a new, fresh layer of skin of a more even colour and smoother texture so, combined with the CACI non-surgical facial, which tightens muscles, the microdermabrasion improves skin's overall appearance, and helps to soften fine lines.
The microdermabrasion is as relaxing as a facial and even after one treatment my skin feels deeply cleansed and glowing.
Glycolic Facial
Cream containing glycolic acid is applied to skin. It removes the outer layer so, like microdermabrasion, works on skin damaged by the sun and weather as well as improving fine lines.
The initial application can cause a tingling sensation but Monique quickly massages this in to avoid any discomfort.
The non-surgical facelift
Monique moves two sets of prongs painstakingly across the face like chopsticks, picking up skin. For the first few treatments Monique explains that the microcurrent will be barely noticeable but it still stimulates cells in facial muscles.
Monique explains the science behind it. The currents work on the collagen-producing cells and, that, combined with the prongs, spur them into action.
After one treatment I wondered if my face muscles would ache, like after a gym session when you have not worked out for ages. I did not notice any ache but my skin did look plumper (see picture).
Over the course of three weeks, Monique slowly increased the level of current, and would repeat the same process of passing over the prongs as well as rollers, which are used on the various muscle groups. In the final part of each treatment, creams are feathered and rolled into the skin with special rollers.
Monique tells me it is completely safe and the prongs and rollers can be used on all areas of the face and neck, including around the eyes. It is painless, although towards the end of the course when the current was turned to maximum, it did cause a twitching sensation around the eyes, but nothing unpleasant.
After each treatment my skin felt glowing. As it takes just an hour, a treatment can be done in your lunchbreak and you can go back to work.
Monique says it is best not to reapply makeup off for the remainder of the day so bear this in mind, and skin may be reddened for a while, in which case Monique applies primer and Bella Vi mineral powder.
During the course, as I was doing Junk Free June, I felt I was also giving my skin the best shot. There is no point investing in facials or appearance medicine if you are not going to work on your skin by eating well, drinking lots of water, limiting alcohol and getting enough sleep.
At the end of the course I did feel my skin was noticeably firmer, particularly around the chin, where I can usually tilt my head down and create several double chins, but my neck skin felt tightened and toned.
My cheeks also looked plumper with fewer wrinkles particularly around the nasolabial folds, which had lost their deeply etched look.
Overall, my skin felt deeply cleansed, fresher and revitalised. It was put to the test when I attended book club, where I had not seen some of the girls for a month. A few remarked on how well I looked. Michaela Shaw says women - and men - of any age will benefit from this treatment, and there are minimal risks (your therapist will first go through a checklist to ensure you are eligible).
Michaela says if you keep to the recommended maintenance treatments, you can expect to a smoother appearance, with firmer and more toned muscles giving you a more youthful healthier look.
With regular treatments, it results in slowing down and minimising the process of ageing
Who can argue with that? And at $120 for the maintenance treatment every four to six weeks, that works out at no more than a regular schedule of facials but with the bonus that you are keeping your facial muscles toned. I will definitely be going back for maintenance treatments.
I think I have found one gym workout that is painless, sweat-free and involves me lying on my back relaxing for an hour. I like it.
Annemarie Quill experienced the non-surgical facelift at Caci Clinic Goddard Centre Tauranga
They were keynote speakers at this year's Business Women’s Network Speaker Series.