The Truth About Radiofrequency for Festoons: Why It Falls Short

Treating lower eyelid fullness and Festoons
Before and after: Treating lower eyelid fullness and Festoons/malar mounds

There are plenty of practitioners promising quick fixes for Festoons and malar mounds, but beware of the hype. The only effective and lasting solution is the RESET ® Festoons procedure.

To understand why radiofrequency and other non-surgical skin-tightening technologies won’t remove these swollen mounds that look like they’re filled with fluid, you need to start by knowing what they really are. 

What are Festoons?

Festoons and malar mounds are not the same thing as wrinkles, crow’s feet, or even under-eye bags. They come with age and sun damage and happen a lot more frequently in individuals with fair skin. They are located deep under your skin’s surface, between your lower eyelid and your upper cheekbone where the collagen and elastin have been weakened, usually by the sun. The improper use of fillers can make Festoons look worse, and so can excess skin that creates a combination of swelling and droopiness that make you look tired and unhealthy. 

People have been trying to get rid of Festoons for as long as there have been mirrors. Surgeons have tried many different modalities and devices to treat them, but so far, only one thing has worked: deep laser resurfacing. Recently, medical spas have claimed that radiofrequency devices using low-frequency electromagnetic waves are a miracle solution, but the truth is that they offer little to no improvement.

Though radiofrequency technology can penetrate and tighten the skin and stimulate collagen production, it does nothing to eliminate the underlying problem.

The most effective solution for Festoons is a deep laser resurfacing procedure that I developed years ago. This surgical procedure not only removes the swollen mounds but also rejuvenates and resets the skin. 

If you have malar bags/malar mounds/festoons you need a permanent, effective solution. My RESET ® Festoon surgical procedure leverages the power of advanced laser technology to eliminate Festoons and resurface the wrinkled, aged skin where the Festoons were, taking years off your appearance. 

If you have concerns with your upper or lower lids in addition to Festoons, my Better Blepharoplasty (™) may be the ideal two-step procedure. It includes the removal of Festoons for the lower lids and removal of crepey skin in the upper lids. No matter which procedure is right for you, I look forward to restoring a more vibrant look to your eyes in a way that no quick-fix, skin-tightening option can achieve.