Time Machine Procedure

The Time Machine Procedure is a skin rejuvenation technique that combines various non-surgical technologies such as laser skin resurfacing, fractional laser resurfacing, dermal fillers, Botox and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) into a customized treatment plan. The procedure addresses wrinkles, sagging skin, eye bags and droopy eyelids to give patients a comprehensive anti-aging treatment. The treatment is called the "Time Machine Procedure” because patients look like they stepped in a time machine and exit looking like they did 5 to 10 years ago. It is a popular choice for patients who want to address multiple signs of aging without having to undergo a surgical procedure.

Am I a Good Candidate for Time Machine Procedure?

GOOD CANDIDATES for Time Machine Procedure include:

• People looking to rejuvenate their skin via resurfacing
• Patients with wrinkles, fine lines and stretch marks
• Those who desire a younger appearance without having surgery
• Adults who had acne when they were younger and still have acne scars

People who are NOT GOOD CANDIDATES are:

• Patients who want long lasting results that can only be achieved by a surgery such as a facelift
• People with deep acne scars or deep wrinkles
• Patient with severely droopy, or loose, skin

How is Time Machine Procedure Performed?

Since the Time Machine Procedure is a non-invasive and non-surgical procedure, patients do not have to be put under general anesthesia. The Time Machine Procedure can treat the skin in a variety of ways including:

• Laser skin resurfacing to rejuvenate the skin and reduce the effects of sun damage, age spots, acne scars and skin blemishes
• Fractional laser resurfacing which targets an area of the skin to be treated while not impacting the surrounding skin
• Dermal fillers to add volume, remove wrinkles and soften the appearance of crow’s feet
• Botox to smooth the facial features by eliminating wrinkles and forehead lines
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to harvest the patient’s own growth factors and is administered in the skin, in multiple modalities, depending on the needs of the patient
• The treatment is customized and personalized based on the skin type of the patient. 

If the Time Machine Procedure treatment plan uses energy to heat the skin, the energy either heats the skin on contact to help tighten and resurface it or it delivers heat under the skin Electrodes on the surface of the application device tip are used to deliver the frequency to the skin. The energy stimulates the production of new collagen which, in turn, creates skin that is younger looking, and thicker and tighter, while improving fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars and stretch marks.

Compared to Other Treatments

Compared to the Time Machine Procedure, treatments such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels are more superficial treatments of the skin that address the stratum corneum (the very top layer) of the skin. These treatments give a temporary improvement in the texture of the skin as well as a mild improvement in pigmentation. They do not induce major collagen formation or treat saggy eyelids, saggy brows, eye bags and wrinkles. The Time Machine Procedure is able to address all of these issues in one office visit.

What is the cost of the Time Machine Procedure?

The cost of a Time Machine Procedure depends on where it is performed in the United States and how much work is involved in the treatment (since it is a customized procedure). The cost runs from $800-$2500 depending on how many treatments are performed during the procedure.

There are situations where patients only want to address their cheeks for acne scars or treat their eyes for sagging and eye bags. If patients have less total treatments during the Time Machine Procedure, the overall price will be a smaller amount of money. 

Recovery and Downtime

The RECOVERY time for the Time Machine Procedure depends on the treatments utilized during the procedure. The various treatment options can cause conditions such as redness, bruising and swelling for a few days to a week. The full healing period can also take about a week depending on the extent of the treatment.

The amount of DOWNTIME also depends on whether the procedure was aggressive in nature and how many treatment options were utilized during the procedure. Patients should check with their doctor to get a better indication of how much downtime is necessary before work and regular activities can be resumed.

Results

After the Time Machine Procedure, new collagen gets produced over the course of several weeks and months. Most people start seeing improvements in their skin after a couple of weeks. The amount of skin tightening, firming, plumping and improvements in the eye bags, brows and the opening of the eyes continue over a period of several months. 

After the treatment, the patient will look 5 to 10 years younger after a single office visit. Because of the dramatic results seen after a single treatment, the procedure is attractive to people who are not interested in treatments that are surgical in nature.

Limitations of Time Machine Procedure

The main limitation is the fact that the results are not permanent. While the results can last for up to a decade, there will be a need for a follow-up procedure

Risks of Time Machine Procedure

The treatment has to be customized based on the skin type of the patient. This means there is a small risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) depending on the skin type. The risk is highest for those with skin of color. There are different ways to resurface the skin, based on the skin type, to minimize the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. For example, when treating darker skin, a fractional radiofrequency is used to avoid giving patients hyperpigmentation. 

A Customized Treatment Plan

When performing the Time Machine Procedure, it is necessary to customize the treatment to match the needs of the specific patient. The techniques used in the procedure are a big factor in the amount of patient safety and results. If a patient is searching for a way to look younger without undergoing an invasive surgery, the Time Machine Procedure is a good nonsurgical option to turn back the clock. Patients need to do their research in order to find a skilled doctor who has experience in performing the Time Machine Procedure and helping patients look years younger without surgery. 

Written by Cosmetic Town Editorial Team- MA

Based on an exclusive interview with Dr. Tess Mauricio in San Diego, CA