ANALYSIS/OPINION:
Call it the pull of gravity. Decades of skin care were paying off, and I was pleased with my complexion. Then I gradually noticed a loss of firmness. I could feel it, and I could see it. It turns out that skin creams, sunscreen and healthy eating couldn’t prevent the inevitable.
To my discouragement, the lines around my eyes didn’t bounce back once I stopped laughing or smiling. The age spots were faint but resisted my best efforts to eliminate them. Plenty of products on the market promised to reduce the “appearance” of these signs of aging. I didn’t want their temporary solutions. I wanted a fix. Still, plastic surgery and other invasive methods were not an option. Neither were thousands of dollars’ worth of clinic appointments.
That was when I was introduced to EndyMed’s Newa, which promised to “slowly reverse the aging process” with the use of an at-home device. Now we’re talking.
The science
As we age, we lose collagen and elastin — the stuff that keeps our skin firm. No topical cream on its own can stop the onset of sagging. That’s because collagen is formed in the dermis — the deeper layers of skin.
The good news is that skin can be revived without invasive methods. Using heat is the key. Heating collagen and elastin to a specific temperature tightens existing fibers and triggers cells to produce more collagen. Dermatologists have been using this method for years using infrared, LED and ultrasound technology, and the effects can last for months.
A preferred energy source for many is radio frequency. Thermage and ThermiTight are among the pioneers to harness radio frequency waves in the harmless range of the electromagnetic spectrum to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, to improve the texture of skin, and to enhance the effectiveness of serums and moisturizers.
Most devices available today use one or two electrodes that emit radio waves, but EndyMed in 2007 developed 3DEEP technology that uses multiple positive and negative electrodes to reach the deeper collagen-rich dermis layer. This is the technology used in the Newa, a home care device that has been popular in Europe for years. With approval by the Food and Drug Administration, it has been introduced over the counter to the U.S. market.
Using the Newa
The Newa is easy to use, and each complete session takes about 30 minutes. Clean any makeup and debris from the face that could interfere with penetration of the radio waves. Connect the device to the power cord, and plug it in. The Newa has two heat settings. The manufacturer recommends the higher heat setting for maximum effect but offers a lower setting in case of discomfort. Remove the cap on the device and apply your preferred lift activator gel to the electrodes. It is important that the electrodes be completely covered with gel. Place the electrodes against your skin and press the blue-light button. Massage the gel into your skin using circular motions. The blue light will turn green when the skin temperature reaches maximum effectiveness. A vibration will let you know when the four-minute treatment has been completed, and the device will automatically stop. This procedure is intended for six treatment areas: the left and right cheeks, the left and right jaw, and underneath each side of the chin.
Treatments are recommended five times a week for the first four weeks and then twice a week for maintenance. The benefits will be visible quickly and continue for months. Users can track their results with apps from Apple’s App Store and from Google Play.
The first time I used the Newa, I was concerned about redness. It looked and felt like a sunburn. This is normal, and the redness vanished in minutes. What appeared in its place were a smooth complexion and plump skin. The circulation made gave me a radiance I had not seen before. I forgot about gravitational force on my face. The fine lines next to my eye area bounced back again, and even the stubborn age spots began to disappear.
Precautions
The Newa is not for everyone. It is intended to treat mild to moderate facial wrinkles for women with “Fitzpatrick Skin Types 1-IV” — lighter skin, in other words. Women with thick, very dark skin and those with deep wrinkles might not see much difference.
To achieve desired results, Newa takes a commitment — particularly during the first month — and proper use. For the first few weeks, I used the Newa nearly every day. I took a break if my skin felt sensitive or if small red spots appeared. The only concern I had was a small area of swelling below my right eye after a hot shower a couple of times. This is common and normally lasts for only a short time.
Although the device was able to treat key areas of my face, it is not intended for the forehead, neck or direct eye area.
The smoother skin on my cheeks and over the orbital bone seemed to make my eye crinkles more pronounced. To further my anti-aging regimen, I plan to supplement it with more powerful eye treatments, starting with retinol and eventually investing in a safe device similar to the Newa, such as the Tria SmoothBeauty Eye Wrinkle Laser ($249).
The forehead, on the other hand, simply does not have enough collagen in the deeper layers to repair. Most forehead wrinkles are not initiated by a loss of collagen but by repetitive muscle contractions, such as furrowing the brow. Microcurrent technology can stimulate the top layer of the skin and lift, firm and tone the muscle underneath, though results can take weeks. Jennifer Aniston has raved about Nuface Trinity ($325), telling InStyle magazine, “It’s like a little workout for your face.”
Before trying this device, read the entire user manual and follow directions precisely. Heed all risks, and address any concerns with a qualified doctor. For more information about Newa’s advanced technology, visit TryNewa.com.
Conclusion
At $450, the Newa costs more than anti-aging creams, yet it is far more effective and is a bargain compared with treatments in a professional’s office. I’ll leave those pricey visits to Gwyneth Paltrow, Oprah Winfrey and other wealthy celebrities who swear by radio frequency treatments to keep their skin youthful and radiant. I have a couple of standing appointments each week in front of my bathroom mirror with my Newa.
• Cheryl Danehart can be reached at cdanehart@washingtontimes.com.
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