Ultimate Duo
ICON Dermatology & Aesthetics offers many impressive facial rejuvenation procedures, and The Ultimate Duo is one of our most effective. This procedure combines two highly effective facial rejuvenation techniques for an incredible way to bring back a more youthful appearance.
WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE DUO?
This skin rejuvenation treatment combo pairs the newest RF Microneedling device on the market – the Virtue RF – and an exclusive little to no downtime laser treatment called Cool Peel. The Ultimate Duo helps to stimulate collagen at both the superficial and deeper skin levels without requiring additional significant recovery time. The Virtue RF micro-needling provides deep collagen remodeling and rejuvenation while the Cool Peel produces a superficial injury by delivering high energy in extremely short pulses.
The Virtue RF is the first RF Microneedling platform product that offers the utmost versatility for every patient. The available SmartRF handpiece delivers 36-gold tipped needles into the skin with absolute precision while heat energy is evenly distributed at the exact depth and pulse duration. Full-face treatments take about 30 minutes and are virtually pain-free with zero social downtime. Treat enlarged pores, plump, and tighten skin with Virtue RF and follow up with Cool Peel to correct uneven skin tone and sun damage.
The Cool Peel is an extension of the Tetra CO2 laser system that leverages the exclusive H-pulse – a high-peak-power short pulse that delivers a fully-ablative treatment without causing thermal damage to surrounding tissue. Without thermal damage, downtime is drastically minimized while impressive superficial, skin-resurfacing results are delivered.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ULTIMATE DUO?
Facial rejuvenation can be accomplished in several ways, and by combining two of our most effective non-surgical procedures, we’re able to create incredible results in an impressive amount of time. The combination of microneedling, radiofrequency, and laser skin resurfacing is the ultimate way to smooth over fine lines and wrinkles, and can also help you address a number of other skin concerns.
The Ultimate Duo can improve the following:
Fine lines
Sun damage
Wrinkles
Uneven texture
Blemishes
Acne scarring
WHAT MAKES ULTIMATE DUO SPECIAL?
CO2 lasers are the gold standard in treating wrinkles, age spots, acne scars, and other blemishes and can tighten skin and balance tone. Damaged skin tissue is removed, or ablated, stimulating new collagen production while heat energy is delivered to tighten the skin. Many advances have been made to improve the side effects of CO2 treatments but only the Cool Peel can deliver a fractional ablative treatment without significant downtime.
The Ultimate Duo combines the Cool Peel with Virtue RF microneedling. Radiofrequency energy has been used for decades to rejuvenate and tighten the skin. The heat created by radiofrequency waves causes the body to produce collagen and elastin, the main supportive proteins in the skin. Microneedling elicits a similar response from the body by creating tiny injuries within a treatment area that activate the wound-healing cascade. This process also encourages collagen and elastin production. Virtue RF device combines these two processes for an effective skin rejuvenating treatment that smooths fine lines and produces younger-looking skin over a series of treatments.
The Ultimate Duo provides the benefits of Cool Peel CO2 laser, radiofrequency and microneedling to stimulate collagen at both the superficial and deep levels of the skin without any incremental downtime.
HOW DOES THE ULTIMATE DUO WORK?
RF Microneedling
Microneedling is a method of inducing controlled injury with a device to deliver tiny needle pricks to the skin’s dermal and epidermal layers. This induces growth factors and stimulates the growth of new collagen and elastin. Virtue RF allows for radiofrequency to be delivered to specific layers of skin while microneedling. The radiofrequency results in tissue tightening, resulting in skin that feels firmer and looks more supple and youthful.
Cool Peel
Once the Virtue RF process has been completed, our board-certified dermatologists will begin the Cool Peel CO2 laser resurfacing treatment to safely remove the topmost layer of your skin. This portion of the Ultimate Duo treatment takes about 10-15 minutes.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR ULTIMATE DUO?
As with any treatment, our board-certified dermatologists will need to discuss your options with you before treatment. However, an Ultimate Duo treatment can be administered on virtually any skin type, so most patients will be a candidate for this treatment.
The Ultimate Duo may be right for you if you:
Want to minimize fine lines and wrinkles on the face and neck
Have brown spots and pigmentation
Have enlarged pores
Have mild skin laxity but are not a candidate for a surgical facelift
Are looking for non-surgical treatment for unwanted scars
Want to improve irregular texture
HOW LONG DOES THE ULTIMATE DUO TAKE?
Patients can expect an Ultimate Duo treatment to take about an hour. The Cool Peel takes about 15 minutes, and the Virtue RF takes 30 to 45 minutes. Patients will require additional time to numb prior to treatment.
WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO SEE RESULTS OF THE ULTIMATE DUO?
Ultimate Duo results will develop as the treated skin heals. Patients will see that fresh skin will be revealed as the damaged treated surface layer falls away.
The skin requires roughly a week to turn over the epidermis, and then you will see the dramatic changes to your skin. Texture concerns, sun damage, age spots and pigmentation, and overall dull skin will all be significantly improved as new, and healthier skin continues to surface. Within the next few months, the results will improve.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET ULTIMATE DUO?
Our board-certified dermatologists will discuss a treatment plan with you, including the spacing of your treatment sessions.
ARE ULTIMATE DUO TREATMENTS SAFE?
The Ultimate Duo is a safe treatment, as Cool Peel and Virtue RF have both been cleared by the FDA. Ablative laser skin resurfacing treatments like Cool Peel come with the risk of hyper- or hypopigmentation particularly for people with darker skin phototypes. Our board-certified dermatologists evaluate each patient and will outline any risks.
WHAT IS ULTIMATE DUO RECOVERY LIKE?
One of the main benefits of a Cool Peel, is that patients get the benefits of CO2 laser without the downtime. After the Ultimate Duo treatment, the patient may feel a warm sunburn-like sensation for about an hour post-treatment and should expect to be a little red for a day or two. The skin may feel dry and a bit like sandpaper for three to four days as it heals so it is important to keep the skin hydrated. We suggest that you avoid makeup, sunscreen, and active topical products for a minimum of 24 hours post-treatment. After this time, mineral makeup and sunscreen are recommended. It is best to sleep with a clean pillowcase and with the head slightly elevated.
Our board-certified dermatologists will help you to determine which products are suitable and when you can resume your usual skincare routine. We will provide you with post-treatment care instructions to ensure that your skin stays protected and hydrated as it heals so that you achieve optimal results. Direct sun exposure should be avoided for the first 10-14 days if possible and SPF 50 or higher must be applied prior to going outside.
WILL I NEED A FOLLOW-UP VISIT?
It is best to schedule a follow-up visit within 3-5 weeks of treatment if possible. This is a great time to take your first set of after-pictures and to check on your skin. We can address any concerns at that time and follow up with suggestions on additional treatments needed at that time.
We are excited to be one of the only dermatology practices in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC to offer The Ultimate Duo. To learn what this treatment might do for your skin please schedule a consultation with our board-certified dermatologists by calling us at 301-810- 3600.