VIRGINIA BEACH -- Getting a facelift no longer means you have to go under the knife.
Dermatologist Dr. David McDaniel is using the FDA-approved, non surgical Thermage Comfort Pulse Technology, CPT for short.
"It uses radio waves to heat the skin to cause tightening without surgery and without down time," he explains.
CPT combines a vibrating hand piece with a cooling effect to give better skin tightening results and a lot less pain, he adds. There's no anesthesia and no shots.
"You can simply lay down, be treated, get up and go back to work," Dr. McDaniel stresses.
Susan McGinnis tried the FDA-approved treatment.
"Like a hairdryer without the wind, just warm. That was it," she described.
McDaniel's Laser, Skin and Vein Center of Virginia in Va. Beach was the latest stop of what's called the "illumination tour." ?A state-of-the art airstream, outfitted with both Thermage and Fraxel treatment stations, is criss-crossing the country.
The Fraxel systems use laser technology to deliver tiny beams of laser to penetrate the skin for resurfacing, smoothing wrinkles, softening scars and reducing fine lines.
Dr. McDaniel says both systems can be used on all skin types and they're considered cutting edge alternatives to surgery.
"For people who have milder sagging, wrinkles, people who don't want to undergo anesthesia or don't have the time and the budget for surgery, it's a great alternative," he notes.
McGinnis agrees.
"It doesn't hurt. It's got great results and the results are better now that the technology is more advanced," she said.
The treatments range in cost from $600 to $1,500.
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