This Skin Tightening Device Really Firmed My Jawline

When invited into the Sperling Dermatology’s new Sperling Spectacular Spa in Red Bank, NJ, I jumped at the chance to check it out, meet the staff, and try a non-invasive treatment. As a beauty editor who focuses on skincare and aesthetics, this place can easily become my new home ‘office.’ I met with board certified physician assistant Christinna Del Genio, MS, PA-C, who gave me a tour space before recommending I try InMode’s Evoke, one of their newest treatment offerings. The device uses radiofrequency (RF) heat technology to stimulate collagen and lift and tighten the skin around the cheeks, jawline, and jowls.

Once I saw the before and after pictures, I was sold. The Evoke “workspace” comes with two offerings — Evoke Face and Evoke Neck. Both applicators are hands-free and employ RF energy to reshape facial tissue, but the former is specifically designed to treat cheeks and jowls while the latter addresses the neck and submental areas. We decided to focus on my jawline since I’d love for that skin to be a bit tighter (I’m in my late thirties, after all), and I wasn’t a candidate for the neck portion. As Del Genio and her team set me up in a comfy chair for my first 30-minute treatment, I began taking notes and interviewing her about the technology.

Evoke Technology

“The goal of radiofrequency skin remodeling is to heat collagen at deep and superficial levels to 40 to 43 degrees Celsius,” Del Genio explains. “In doing so, the formation of new collagen begins and the skin tightening effect takes place.” Unlike other tightening devices that promise similar benefits, Evoke is hands-free and contains temperature monitoring and control. As a result, it has the ability to deliver uniform, controlled heat energy without being dependent on the technician. If the skin reaches a threshold level the radiofrequency energy, it’s temporarily suspended to protect the skin from discomfort and possible burn. Other devices have a hand-held applicator, which requires the person giving the treatment to continually move it around at a fast speed to prevent that from happening.

Evoke Treatment & Protocol

Thirty minutes flew by, and, as promised, it didn’t hurt at all. It was as if I was wearing warm Bose headphones that were positioned tightly on my cheeks. After each treatment my face felt tighter. I didn’t even have to touch it to feel the difference. I saw results after my first treatment, but I followed the protocol and continued to do a series of four sessions spaced about one week apart for the best results. While I noticed incremental changes throughout, final results will be visible eight weeks after my fourth treatment. Skin tightening results are supposed to last one year, with one yearly maintenance session encouraged thereafter.

The writer's jawline before Evoke (left), immediately after her first treatment (middle), and immediately after her fourth treatment (right). The red marks on her cheeks are from the device and faded quickly. Her final result will be visible eight weeks after her last session.

The Ideal Candidate for Evoke

Anyone who experiences skin laxity in the lower face and neck can benefit from Evoke, but the treatment isn’t for everyone. Skip it if you…

• Have a pacemaker or defibrillator
• Have a history of cancer
• Are pregnant or nursing
• Have cardiac disorders, sensory disturbances, epilepsy, uncontrolled hypertension, and liver or kidney disease
• Have an impaired immune system due to AIDS or HIV

The Cost of Evoke

I feel very fortunate that I have the opportunity to try these treatments for work at no cost because they are pricey. A series of four in one area (jawline or neck) will run you about $2,000. If you want to treat both areas, a series costs about $3,000. Pricing depends on the practitioner and where you get it done, but these prices are average.

The Takeaway

The lift is real! I am beyond impressed with my results week after week and am excited to have a more sculpted jawline — I never had one before! I’m anxious to see my full results eight weeks from now and am optimistically curious as to whether this is really going to last 12 months like it claims. Time will tell.