Evaluation of a nonsurgical, muscle-stimulating system to elevate soft tissues of the face and neck.

Non-invasive procedures for tissue tightening and elevation are new frontiers in dermasurgery. Current methods for achieving a "nonsurgical face-lift" include radiofrequency and infrared light devices which disrupt non-covalent collagen bonds and stimulate collagen production. This study evaluated a novel treatment protocol designed to achieve a nonsurgical face-lift with electrical stimulation of muscle. Thirty-five women were treated with the Pan G Lift (Pan Germinal Systems, Clearwater, Florida) to enhance skin and induce soft-tissue lifting via hypertrophy of the facial musculature. The protocol consists of biweekly treatments for 10 weeks followed by monthly maintenance treatments. Results were evaluated by both the investigating physician and patients for up to 12 months. Estimates of percentage improvement were based on a scale of 1 to 4 (1 = 0%-25% [mild]; 2 = 26%-50% [moderate]; 3 = 51%-75% [good]; and 4 = 76%-100% [marked]). After 10 weeks (20 treatments), the median lifting improvement scores as assessed by patients and physician were the following: cheeks-2.0 and 2.0, jowls-2.0 and 2.0, and texture-2.0 and 2.0, respectively. Physician-evaluated eye lift and neck lift showed similar improvement. At 12 months (32 treatments), lifting and skin texture changes (assessed by patients and physician) reached 3.0 to 4.0, respectively, while physician-evaluated eye lift and neck lift achieved at least a 3.0 at 20 and 26 treatments. At one year (32 treatments), neck lift reached a 4.0. There was no downtime and no complications occurred. The non-invasive, muscle-stimulating Pan G Lift is a novel procedure that yields significant 3-dimensional improvements of the face and neck (nonsurgical face-lift), which demonstrates progressive improvement with continued monthly treatments over time.