There’s a new radiofrequency treatment in town that promises to boost collagen in the skin while tackling eye bags, sagging cheeks and more – all gently, painlessly and effectively. Oligio RF has been making waves in South Korea before landing in Singapore recently, with Bay Aesthetics Clinic among the first to offer it. Is this skin tightening treatment worth the hype? I chatted with the clinic’s Medical Director and Founder Dr Bernard Tan to find out more – and gave it a go myself!
What exactly is Oligio RF and how does it work?
Oligio RF is a monopolar radiofrequency medical device designed for non-invasive, no-downtime skin tightening and lifting of the face, eyelids, eye bags and neck.
“Oligio” means “lifting up” in Korean and it does as promised, using radiofrequency energy (an oscillating current that is converted into heat energy) to gently heat up the skin to 45 to 50 degrees Celsius. At that temperature, existing collagen in the skin contracts and new collagen production is stimulated, resulting in tighter and lifted skin.
How long has the technology been around for?
Oligio RF was developed four years ago in South Korea, where it has become wildly popular (their advertisements are everywhere in the malls and subway stations). It recently received approval in Singapore and Bay Aesthetics Clinic is amongst the first three clinics to offer this treatment. It’s suitable for clients aged 30 to 60 who are looking for non-invasive, no-downtime skin tightening and face lifting. As the treatment stimulates your skin to produce its own collagen, you can expect natural-looking results with zero chance of looking “overdone” or “fake”. Oligio RF treatments have no downtime. Clients can return to normal activities immediately after the treatment – making them suitable for busy working professionals!
Aside from skin tightening, what other issues does it help with?
Oligio RF boosts collagen levels of the skin, helping with signs of skin ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles, dull skin, droopy eyelids, eye bags, sagging skin and double chin. The lifting effect from the treatment has also led some patients to comment that their face “looks smaller”.
How is it different from other radiofrequency treatments?
Not all radiofrequency treatments are made the same. Spas and beauty salons are allowed to use low-powered radiofrequency devices that require many sessions to produce a result, if at all. Oligio RF is a medical device that means serious business. It must be used in a licensed medical clinic by a trained doctor. Clients can see results in a single treatment, with annual treatments recommended.
The closest alternative to Oligio RF is Thermage FLX (Solta Medical, USA). Oligio RF (WonTech, South Korea) is Korea’s answer to the Thermage FLX – developed about four years ago after Thermage’s patent ended. Both devices utilise monopolar radiofrequency at 6.72 MHz range for non-invasive skin tightening. Oligio RF has several key features that differ from Thermage FLX, including a faster firing rate, higher shot count, less discomfort and a more accessible price.
Should we be worried about blistering, scarring and excessive tightening?
No – while burns and blisters are possible risks with all radiofrequency treatments, Oligio RF has multiple safety features to minimise this risk. These include cryogen spray cooling, surface temperature sensors, and impedance and pressure monitoring. Excessive tightening is not possible — the tightening effect is gradual and natural-looking. Most patients report looking one to two years younger after the treatment.
Who is a good candidate for this radiofrequency treatment and when is a good time to start considering it?
Oligio RF treatments are suitable for individuals aged 21 and above who are looking to delay or reverse the signs of ageing. It’s also a good treatment for someone new to aesthetics and anti-ageing treatments. It’s non-invasive, non-painful, safe, reasonably priced and with visible results, and it works well for all skin types and in men and women.
For patients above 40 years old, this radiofrequency treatment is best combined with other face-lifting treatments such as Ultherapy. A good time to start with annual Oligio RF treatments is in your mid-20s, even before signs of ageing become apparent. Like a savings plan, these treatments will pay dividends if you start investing early.
Do you combine this radiofrequency treatment with other treatments?
Oligio RF combines well with Ultherapy. Ultherapy targets the deeper layer of the skin at 3mm and 4.5mm. Meanwhile, Oligio RF targets the surface layer of skin (1 to 2mm). Together, these two treatments work in synergy to deliver significant face-lifting and skin-tightening.
When can we see results and how long do they last?
Visible skin tightening and lifting can be seen immediately as the existing collagen in the skin contracts. Full effects are seen in one to two months when new collagen is produced. Effects last for up to 12 months, with annual treatments recommended.
My experience with this radiofrequency treatment at Bay Aesthetics Clinic:
At 36, my cheeks are starting to sag a little and my eye bags are more pronounced (no matter how much eye cream I pile on). So I’ve been looking for a non-invasive (and ideally, painless!) solution. And after doing a lot of research, Oligio RF is the one that ticks all the boxes.
Many friends have loved their treatments with Dr Bernard so I knew I was in good hands arriving at the stylish clinic at Marina Bay Link Mall. Dr Bernard is warm, knowledgeable and detailed as he explained how this radiofrequency treatment could help with my concerns, recommending it for my face and eyes – 600 shots each. The lovely Tracy prepped my skin with a double cleanse and took 3D photos to give Dr Bernard a clearer view of my skin. After 20 minutes of numbing cream, I was off to the treatment room.
Taking about an hour, the procedure was surprisingly comfortable (much more so than similar radiofrequency treatments, I’m told). Dr Bernard gently pressed the device against my face and I felt a bit of heat on my skin, with some stinging on sensitive areas that was totally manageable. What’s impressive about Oligio RF is its rare ability to safely treat the delicate eye area. For this, Dr Bernard switched to a smaller specialised tip that can reach areas most devices can’t – even the inner corners of my eyes. This makes it a great treatment if eye bags or droopy lids are your concern.
Afterwards, Tracy applied moisturiser and sunscreen, leaving my skin feeling soothed and refreshed. There was only a hint of redness, which disappeared within a couple of hours. I loved that I could jump right back into my day.
The verdict
A week on, I’m already seeing a subtle lift in my jowls and firmer cheeks. My eye bags look less puffy too! These are just early results so I’m excited to see the full effects in the next couple of months once the new collagen in the skin kicks in. Whether you’re dipping your toes into anti-ageing treatments or looking to tighten your skin in a natural looking and painless way, Oligio RF is definitely worth considering.
Prices of Oligio RF at Bay Aesthetics Clinic
- Full face (600 shots): $1788
- Eyes (600 shots): $1788
- Full face and neck (1200 shots): $3200
Bay Aesthetics Clinic is at #B2-12 Marina Bay Link Mall, 8A Marina Boulevard.
8428 7811 | bayclinic.sg
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