No More Scowling: The dynamic muscles of the glabella region (the area at the top of the nose just between the eyebrows) are sometimes overactive, giving one a ‘scowling’ look—appearing angry, worried, or stressed. Whether we realize it or not, others unconsciously focus on this area as part of normal non-verbal communication, and along with a few other quick observations, can formulate an unflattering opinion about us. Is your face sending out the wrong impression about you? If you have deep glabella furrowing, even at times when you weren’t angry or upset, you may have been 'labeled' as being hotheaded, depressed, or as having a negative attitude.

GFX (Glabellar Furrow Relaxation) is sometimes called ‘No-tox’ because it does not employ a purified toxin as another popular wrinkle relaxing treatment, Botox^® does. Instead, GFX utilizes radiofrequency energy to stop the ‘frown’ nerves from transmitting signals to the muscles to tense up. This numbing effect usually lasts up to eighteen months or longer, making it an ideal treatment for those who don’t care for frequent office visits and quarterly injections.

How is GFX Performed? Under IV sedation, two small probes are inserted under the skin on each side of the forehead. Once the motor nerves which are responsible for frowning are located and identified, bursts of radiofrequency energy disable their ability to function as before. Now, the muscle cannot receive the message to tighten, and the glabella muscles will relax and become smoother—no more deep furrows.

Is GFX Painful? The procedure is not painful if performed under IV sedation. Several aesthetic centers are offering this procedure, but not all offer this high level of pain management. Dr. Jeffrey Adelglass, M.D., F.A.C.S., the SKINTASTIC Medical Director and Chief of Surgery, performs the procedure with the help of his surgical team in SKINTASTIC’s own on-site O.R.

Who Should Perform GFX? GFX should probably only be administered by a physician who is extremely familiar with the inner-workings of the musculoskeleton, the nerve branch anatomy, and other internal facial structures. Results may be long-term or permanent, and are not reversible.

“Will I Look Natural after GFX?” You should still have plenty of expression after your treatment; you just won’t have the deep furrowed lines between your eyebrows—in fact, you may be very surprised at the types of comments and compliments you will get from friends and family members who don’t know you’ve had something done, like, “Have you been on vacation? You look so rested”, and “Did you do something to your hair? What’s different about you? You look great!”