Protégé Elite Non-Surgical Facelift Treatment

Treatment with Protégé Elite is easy and painless.  Treatment to a single area takes approximately 20 minutes.  During treatment the Protégé Elite tip is constantly gliding over the skin in continual arcs and circles.  The treatment feels like a warm roller ball floating over the skin’s surface.  No pain medication or numbing cream is required.

A series of treatments is recommended.  Protégé Elite is typically performed as 3-4 sessions spaced two to four weeks apart.

No.  Unlike many other skin tightening devices, there is no downtime following treatment.  The skin appears normal and without inflammation after treatment.

Protégé Elite is a monopolar radiofrequency device.  Specialized, safe electrical energy is delivered by the Protégé Elite tip to the skin.  A grounding pad, usually placed on one’s back during the treatment, ensures safe delivery of the radiofrequency.  During treatment, radiofrequency energy flows from the treatment tip to the skin, warming the skin to approximately 42 to 44 degrees Celsius.  At this temperature, collagen undergoes structural changes.  Over a period of weeks to months following treatment, new collagen growth is encouraged, leading to improvement in skin texture, laxity, and even wrinkles.

As Protégé Elite works by stimulating new collagen growth, a process called “neocollagenesis,” results take some time to develop.   Typically, results are seen within a period of weeks to months.

Protégé Elite is FDA-cleared for skin toning and firming.  Many areas on the face and body may benefit from this treatment.  Common areas of treatment on the face include the area around the eyes, the jowls, lower face, and neck.  Protégé Elite may also be used on the body to tighten skin.  Skin laxity of the arms, knees, and even abdomen may be improved with treatment.

Protégé Elite leads to visible skin tightening effects but maintenance treatments are always encouraged.  Typically, patients may have a “touch-up” session once a year, although the frequency is highly dependent on the individual.

Protégé Elite is priced as a package of four sessions to encourage the best results.  Pricing is based on the area of treatment.  Discounts are provided when multiple treatment areas are treated.

Adverse effects from Protégé Elite are uncommon and mild in nature. Mild redness or a hive-like reaction is possible but rare. A burn or nerve injury is extremely unlikely given the automatic shut-off safety features on this radiofrequency device.  This differentiates Protégé Elite from other radiofrequency devices that may cause burns or pain, especially when treatment occurs over bony surfaces.

Yes.  Protégé Elite is an excellent compliment to Ultherapy, a robust ultrasound device used as a nonsurgical alternative to deeper tissue tightening.  Typically, botulinum toxin injections such as Botox and Dysport are avoided on the same day of treatment.  Fillers such as Juvederm or Sculptra are best completed at separate visits.  However, other aesthetician services may be completed on the same day, and Protégé Elite could be completed the same day as some laser or light-based procedures such as IPL or Spectra.