If you have had Infini in the past, you are going to be blown away by Genius. I have been performing Infini treatments for skin tightening and acne scarring for over 3 years, and I have been anxiously awaiting their new and improved microneedling RF device. There are many look-alike devices out there now, but none produce the kind of results Infini does. Thus, Infini has been the most popular device for skin tightening and scarring world-wide. Genius is so dramatically different and improved, they decided it needed a new name. As far as I know, I was the first person to purchase the Genius literally on the day the FDA cleared it in December 2018, and we have now been using it for all our procedures since then. WOW, what a huge difference!

The Technology

The engineers have introduced smart technology that measures impedance of the skin and how much energy is being absorbed with each pulse, so we can modulate the energy being delivered as we treat. What this means is that the exact right amount of energy is used for effectiveness and NO MORE, so that each pulse is maximally effective with much less discomfort.

The needle tip and the motor have been completely redesigned, increasing the ease of each pulse insertion and the accuracy of the depth of the needle tips. This also results in less pain and a more accurate treatment. The motor is now very quiet as well – no more snapping noises.

The Experience

We have now performed Genius treatments on over 15 people who have had Infini before, including myself. The universal consensus is that Genius is a breeze. There is minimal to zero discomfort and less need for medication and the chiller. There is almost no bleeding with Genius, and recovery time is decreased. My own recovery after Genius was 24 hours of redness, and I did not need makeup at all the next day. Patients are also reporting quicker recovery and almost no breakouts or bruising. Both the experience of the procedure itself and the recovery are markedly improved.

The Results

The Genius prototype has been in use for the last year and has shown to produce even better results than Infini for both skin tightening and acne scarring. Docs who have been using it have reported that Genius gives more tightening and lift and resolves scarring better than Infini. We have not had the device long enough to publish any of our own long-term results, but I am confident our patients will love the Genius. It is a game-changer.

How Does Genius RF work?

Each Genius tip (we always use a new sterile tip for each use) has 49 tiny microneedles. These needles are insulated, so that the RF energy is only released at the tips of the needles. A motorized handpiece is used to deliver the needle tips at precise depths within the dermis. Each insertion causes 49 small balls of coagulation (tissue damage) within the dermis. Each of those areas of coagulation is completely replaced with collagen and elastin over time. Genius is actually one of the few treatments that has been shown to stimulate elastin along with collagen. We make several passes through the dermis to treat it completely. The advantage of the insulated needles is that they do not zap the epidermis. This allows maximal treatment to the dermis with much less downtime that what you see with most lasers. (Lasers create a column of destruction, taking along with it the epidermis. This creates more of a burn, and carries much higher risks of hypo- and hyper-pigmentation.)

How long does it take to see results?

All procedures that trigger collagen stimulation take a long time to show results. Why? Each time you do a treatment, the cells in your dermis that make collagen, the fibroblasts, respond with 4-6 months of collagen building. If you do a series of treatments 1-2 months apart, your maximal result will be 6 months after your last treatment. That could be 8-12 months after you start! I tell people to give me a year. The change is slow but steady. It is hard to tell day-to-day, but over time results can be dramatic.

How long do results last?

Because Genius causes the skin to make its own collagen, results are long-lasting. The collagen you produce is yours to keep! Your body will still break down collagen at 1-2% per year, and of course you will continue to age. You will always need to make up for this loss with some kind of maintenance. Correction of acne scarring is permanent (unless you get new break-outs that scar!)

Does Genius treatment hurt?

At Glow Medispa, we use a very strong topical anesthetic to numb the skin, oral pain medications and a chiller that blows cold air during the procedure. With these preparations 90% of our Genius patients do not feel anything at all. For about 10% even with all that, the procedure is still uncomfortable, but doable. As with any procedure requiring medication, all patients undergoing Genius will need a ride home after the procedure.

What is the downtime from Genius?

After Genius there is an average of 3-5 days of downtime. Immediately after the procedure you will be red and swollen. The swelling lasts 1-2 days. This is somewhat diet dependent. If you go home and eat a salad and some protein, you will not have much swelling. If you eat pizza and beer that night, you’ll probably be a pumpkin the next day. The redness fades over 3-5 days. In general it is the swelling that keeps you home. The redness is easily covered with a high quality powder. We recommend Jane Iredale mineral makeup as it is highly purified and is safe for post-procedure skin. Each procedure gets easier, and downtime tends to decrease with subsequent treatments. Genius may be used to treat any skin; however, recovery takes longer the lower you go on the body.

What are the possible complications from Genius treatment?

Genius RF is safe on any skin type. We have treated skin of all colors and ethnicities. Patients with very sensitive skin can have prolonged recoveries, and we have seen a few people take 2-3 weeks to completely recover, but this is very rare. We have also seen a small number of patients have a transient hyperpigmentation as the skin heals, also very rare. Anyone at risk may be pretreated with topicals to prevent hyperpigmentation.

How do I know if I’m a good candidate for Genius?

If you are interested in tightening and lifting the skin or want to correct acne scarring, you are likely a great candidate for Genius. You have to be willing to do 3-5 days of downtime and follow our aftercare instructions. No matter what modality you choose, you have to be willing to give it a long time to get results– “Give me a year!” If you are looking or a quick fix, this will not be a good match for you. But if you are in it for the long haul, you’ll find no better option.

You can read more about Genius and view before and after pictures on our website here. We are also happy to talk with you in consultation, which you can schedule online or call us at 206-800-7379.

By Kate Dee, MD

One and Done? Will I see results after just 1 treatment?

I get this question every day. “Will I see results after just one treatment?” Very few treatments in aesthetics have immediate results and almost none offer a “One and Done” answer. (OK maybe fillers. But those are temporary, and you’ll eventually need more!)

Think of maintaining your skin as like maintaining your body. The skin care products you use every day are like eating a nutritious diet. The procedures that improve your skin are like getting regular exercise. Will you have a six-pack after one rigorous work-out? No. Will you slim down after one virtuous day of salad and grilled salmon? No. Will you look like you’re 10 years younger after one skin tightening treatment? No.

Is doing one vigorous workout great for your body– yes. It is a great first step, but you have to work for a while to get into shape, and then you have to maintain your results with continuing effort. It is the same for your skin.

I have written a lot in this blog about collagen and the treatments that increase it. Let’s use skin tightening as an example. We need to build collagen in the skin to keep it thick and springy, to prevent wrinkles and sagginess. Each time we do a treatment like Infini for skin tightening, the skin cells that make collagen go to work for 4-6 months, then go back to sleep. In order to get your skin back in shape, we have to do a series of treatments, building on each one to get a slow improvement. We recommend a total number of treatments equal to the number of decades you have lived. So, at 50, we recommend 5 treatments (on average). We do this 4-6 weeks apart until we get the results we want. Give us a year and we can change what your skin looks like. Then after that, you must do something to keep those fibroblasts awake every 4 months for maintenance. This is a long term project. If you want instant results, this is not your procedure. But if you want long term results that don’t just dissolve away, then Infini is a great way to go. You will slowly age backwards while your friends and colleagues age forward. It is kind of amazing.

This is true of pretty much everything we do. Some procedures can show demonstrable results soon after the treatment, like laser hair removal. But will all the hairs be gone after 1 treatment? No. It takes 6-10 treatments for most people to clear the hair. The same is true when you treat sun spots with IPL or LaseMD. You can see some improvement after one, but you will need a series of 3 or more to make a significant difference.

If this resonates with you, come talk with me! Anyone can take your money and promise you one and done, if they have no intention of seeing you again. At Glow, we commit to our patients for the long haul. We will work on a treatment plan that works to keep your skin beautiful and healthy long term.

Your skin is an important part of your body. In order for a product to improve the appearance of your skin, it has to take a complete 3D approach to treatment. This is exactly what Infini does. It takes advantage of RF energy to increase the volume and ionization of the skin.

How does it work?

This treatment makes use of radiofrequency energy as well as the rejuvenating powers associated with micro-needling. There are other radiofrequency treatments on the market, but they focus on addressing the outside of the skin. Since micro-needling is combined with radiofrequency treatments, your skin is rejuvenated from the inside out. The micro-needling technology allows the radiofrequency energy to be delivered right where it needs to be.

Your dermis is a deeper layer of skin. This is the layer of your skin that produces collagen. This is the layer of your skin that helps to build the structure of your skin. Your dermis is what makes your skin look and feel tight and healthy. If your skin looks nice on the outside, it’s because what’s on the inside is working well.

Infini has become very popular because it is a non-surgical treatment. It has been shown to drastically improve the way your skin looks by removing scars, by getting rid of wrinkles, and by making your skin look and feel overall tighter.

Once your dermis is heated to a certain temperature, your tissue starts to become tighter and begins to remodel. Other radiofrequency devices on the market are categorized as being ablative, non-ablative, and sub-ablative. However, Infini is one of the only products that produce a multidimensional energy approach to the dermis.

Many people have been turning to Infini as a way to treat wrinkles, to encourage collagen production, and to improve the appearance of your skin. This product has been used throughout Asia, South America, and Europe. It has helped individuals who have acne scars and individuals with premature wrinkling to tighten the appearance of their skin.

Contact us

Loose, wrinkled, or scarred skin can make you self-conscious about your appearance. Infini can help give you the attractive appearance that you want. Contact us today at Glow MediSpa in Seattle to schedule your consultation.

What are Skin Tightening Treatments?

Skin tightening treatments are non-invasive and non-surgical procedures that are available on an outpatient basis at our office in Seattle. At our med spa, we use the INFINI skin tightening system, which utilizes both radiofrequency (RF) energy and micro-needling to provide effective and long-lasting skin rejuvenation. The RF energy heats up the collagen under your skin’s surface and causes your skin to contract and tighten. Micro-needling enhances your results by further encouraging collagen production in the body.

The results of the INFINI skin tightening system are noticeable right away and can last for several weeks. Because these treatments are minimally invasive, they require little to no downtime. You can get your procedures done on your day off or during your lunch hour and get back to your normal routine quickly.

They also are safe enough to undergo regularly if you desire. The frequency at which you receive the treatments will depend on the cosmetic issue that you want to address. You and your doctor can determine how often you might need them based on what kind of results you hope to achieve.

However, even if you do not undergo skin tightening treatments several times per month, you can still enjoy long lasting results with your initial procedure. The effects of the treatment can last for as long as four months for some patients.

INFINI skin tightening is FDA-approved and effective for treating skin issues like wrinkles, fine lines and skin laxity. It is a viable alternative to surgical procedures such as facelifts.

Skin Tightening Benefits

INFINI skin tightening treatments offer numerous benefits that make them appealing to people who would rather avoid going through a face lift. Some of the primary advantages of skin tightening procedures include:

• Long lasting results
• Effectiveness
• Noticeable and immediate improvements
• Safe
• Fast

Because it is non-invasive, it can be performed on patients who would otherwise not qualify for more invasive methods of skin care like dermabrasion or chemical peels.

Skin tightening is one of the newest options available to patients who want minimally invasive cosmetic skin care. It can be a viable alternative to invasive surgeries like facelifts. We are pleased to offer INFINI skin tightening at Glow Medispa in Seattle, and we would love to help you find out if it is the right treatment for you. Contact us today to book your first appointment and learn more.

Since many people are worried about what the end results will be, they put off having a facelift. Plus, some people don’t need a facelift in order to achieve their cosmetic goals. They may just have a few lines and wrinkles as well as sagging skin. This can be addressed through a non-surgical treatment at our office called a GlowLift. This amazing procedure uses non-surgical means to make a person look years younger. Thanks to the GlowLift, you no longer have to undergo invasive surgery and a long recovery in order to look and feel better.

Facelifts can be expensive and invasive. There are often individuals who say that they know how to perform a facelift, and they offer some other cosmetic procedures. However, when a person actually goes in for the facelift, the results are a disaster. For this reason, many people opt for a GlowLift at our office. This innovative procedure uses a combination approach to achieve its goals, typically utilizing dermal fillers, radio frequency and micro-needling techniques for amazing results.

If you opt to have a facelift, you will want to have a nurse or a medical professional with you for the first week or so after the procedure while you are healing from the surgery. In most cases, after a couple of weeks, you will be up and about. The GlowLift is different because the downtime is minimal. Patients can resume most of their normal activities quickly, if not immediately.

Your face is your most valuable asset. Take care of it by taking advantage of the latest and greatest in cosmetic procedures. Think twice before getting a facelift and consider the GlowLift, our non-surgical facelift treatment at Glow Medispa. Located in Seattle, we offer a variety of cosmetic procedures, including fat reduction treatments with innovative CoolSculpting® alternatives, PRP treatments, micro-needling and INFINI skin tightening. During a consultation at our office, you can get all the facts about the GlowLift and how it can benefit you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!