How the Butterfly Facelift® Works
Watch James Explain the Five Butterfly Facelift® Steps
The Butterfly Facelift® brings five complementary technologies together in one personalized rejuvenation experience. Watch James Hooper explain the purpose of each step and how the treatment is customized according to the client’s facial structure, skin, concerns, goals and suitability.
The precise treatment plan, settings and intensity vary by client. Not every client receives identical settings or treatment intensity. A consultation is required to determine suitability.
As seen on The Doctors
1. Apollo TriPollar RF
Controlled radiofrequency supports firmer-looking skin and improved facial definition.
Individual results vary.
Read video transcript
Dr. Ordon: Thank you for joining us on Aesthetic TV. Today, we're going to talk about how to get rid of something none of us want, but we all get as we age.
Misha: That is unfortunately true, Dr. Ordon. No matter what you do, wrinkles and sagging skin are going to eventually creep up on every face, even the fittest of bodies.
Dr. Ordon: That's right, Misha. Adult skin loses one to two percent of its dermal collagen deposits every year. But the good news — we don't have to live with the wrinkles and loose skin we get from aging anymore. We have great treatments available that can rejuvenate the skin on both the face and the body.
Misha: I love it. Well, I know that I'm starting to see a few lines already on my face that I could definitely live without. And we all have those little trouble spots that we wish we could firm up. I'd love to know more about what treatments are available to get rid of these irritating wrinkles.
Dr. Ordon: Well, I think I have one that you're going to love. It's called TriPollar, and it uses radiofrequency energy.
Misha: Radiofrequency energy — that sounds a little bit intense.
Dr. Ordon: Well, it's actually a very safe and effective treatment method. It's been used in medicine for over 75 years, and we've been using it in aesthetic medicine for more than 10 years already. And I've asked leading Los Angeles cosmetic dermatologist and plastic surgeon Dr. Ronald Moy to join us today, to tell us more about TriPollar and how it can help keep a refreshed, rejuvenated appearance. Dr. Moy, thank you so much for joining us. Welcome to Aesthetic TV.
Dr. Moy: My pleasure. I want to tell you and the audience some things about TriPollar and how it can be used on the face and the body. TriPollar radiofrequency technology is an innovative, proprietary third-generation radiofrequency technology developed by a company called Pollogen. TriPollar harnesses the inherent benefits of radiofrequency technology and overcomes the limitations of the previous monopolar and bipolar technology that Dr. Ordon and I have used. It's simple to use, and it's extremely efficient. TriPollar treatments deliver immediate, visible tightening and contouring effects from the first treatment, and they're long-lasting aesthetic results without any surgery and without downtime.
Misha: So you mentioned mono and bipolar technologies. How is TriPollar different and superior to them?
Dr. Moy: That's a good question. Monopolar is the first generation that Dr. Ordon and I used. It's radiofrequency, but it uses one electrode to deliver electrical energy and then a return pad that's connected to the leg or to the back, which closes the electrical circuit. The electric current passes through a large part of the body area, so there's really no control over the depth of penetration, which caused a lot more pain. And because the energy wasn't focused, it required a lot more power to reach the therapeutic window. Oftentimes it really couldn't be done without a lot of pain. The second generation is bipolar technology, which uses two electrodes on the treatment-area applicator, with the current flowing between these two electrodes. Now, this confines the treatment area somewhat, but still doesn't really achieve the effective treatment focus. Since both monopolar and bipolar technologies aren't focused, they usually require much higher energy levels to achieve clinical results. And this high energy is focused near the electrodes and not necessarily in the skin, where you really want the tightening effect. Not only that, this can cause pain and a higher risk of burns and skin damage — and I've had that happen with the first generation. In addition, these older technologies require cooling mechanisms to mitigate these risks, which results in less efficient heating of the skin layers. With TriPollar radiofrequency technology, the controlled energy is delivered with three or more electrodes, and it's centered between them, so it limits the energy to a smaller treatment area. This focused energy delivery results in improved treatment efficacy that gives immediate, visible results. So our patients are really happy even from the first treatment. The treatment is painless, it's pleasant, because it's really low power that's needed. My wife had a treatment and said she felt no pain at all.
Misha: Well, it sounds like TriPollar is a great advance in RF technology for aesthetic medicine. I'm dying to know how the treatments actually work, though, on both the face and the body.
Dr. Moy: TriPollar treatments will reduce facial wrinkles by heating the skin from within, using medically proven radiofrequency energy. This internal heat causes collagen to contract — collagen fibers are the key structural components of the skin. This contraction results in immediate wrinkle reduction. Simultaneously, the heating causes an increase in metabolism of the fibroblast cells, and these cells are responsible for collagen production, which also gives tightening. The new collagen provides the skin with added flexibility, some thickening, and leads to long-term wrinkle reduction.
Misha: Wow, well, it sounds quick and easy. How long does the treatment actually take to perform?
Dr. Ordon: You know, Misha, this is another one of those lunchtime procedures. There's no surgery and no downtime. You can walk into your doctor's office at the beginning of your lunch hour and walk out 30 or 40 minutes later, looking younger and feeling better.
Dr. Moy: That's right, Dr. Ordon. Patients can immediately return to their normal routines following a treatment.
Misha: I like the sound of that. Well, how many treatments does a patient need to get optimal results?
Dr. Moy: Well, patients will notice a difference after the first treatment — even in the middle of a treatment they often see a difference. But we recommend about four to six sessions, with about a week between treatments, to get the face and the body absolutely looking their best.
Misha: Now, I'm not the best at tolerating pain when it comes to getting treatments. So what does a TriPollar treatment feel like, and should I be a little nervous?
Dr. Moy: You have absolutely nothing to be scared of. It really feels like a warmth, or like a hot stone massage, is what my wife said. It's very pleasant, it's pain-free. In fact, we have patients that are so relaxed that during a treatment they actually fall asleep.
Misha: Is TriPollar something that works on pretty much anybody with wrinkles?
Dr. Moy: Yeah — unlike lasers, TriPollar is really suitable for all skin colors. Even the darkest skin color, my skin color, any type of skin color, and it's really not affected by any of the skin pigmentation issues. That's really a great advantage TriPollar has over laser treatments.
Misha: I noticed in that video that the practitioner was using a kind of video monitor during the treatment. What is that all about?
Dr. Moy: I'm glad you asked. That's the LumaCam. The LumaCam works with the TriPollar and helps us to see exactly how we're treating the skin in real time.
Misha: Wow, that looks really high-tech. Now, what exactly are we looking at here?
Dr. Moy: Well, you can see that the healthcare provider is actually doing the treatments, and on that screen behind is where you can see the thermal measurements. So we make sure that we get the temperature up to the right temperature, so that we get the skin contraction and the tightening that we want. And you can see she looks very comfortable. She's looking at the thermal energy on that screen.
Dr. Ordon: So as you can see, the LumaCam represents another evolution in delivering radiofrequency treatments. It uses infrared technology to show both the patient and the practitioner the temperature of the skin. This way we know that the skin is being heated to the proper 40 to 42 degrees Celsius for the face, and 42 to 44 degrees Celsius for the body. These are the temperatures you want to get and maintain in order to see the best results.
Dr. Moy: That is the tightening that we want.
Dr. Ordon: Well, in fact, we have a LumaCam here today. Take a look. I'm going to show Misha's face, and you can see precise measurements. If we were doing a treatment, you'd be able to see where the treatment is most effective and get precise measurements of her skin temperature. We can see you heating up there.
Misha: Yeah, that's amazing. Isn't that cool? Well, this really is a benefit to both the patient as well as the practitioner — they can actually see that heat that's being generated. And this treatment is all about generating heat in the right place to get contraction and new collagen.
Dr. Moy: Well, that's exactly it. The LumaCam is the most advanced diagnostic tool available for radiofrequency treatments. It's really a huge leap over the old way of manually testing the skin temperature with a thermometer, which really requires stopping the treatment. By visually mapping the skin temperature in real time, you can really ensure the best possible results.
Misha: Well, speaking of results, let's see some actual patient results that you brought with you here today.
Dr. Moy: You can see here really significant tightening — that maybe is comparable to some of the surgery that you perform, right?
Dr. Ordon: Yeah, I mean, that amount of lax skin — she looks like she's had a mini tummy tuck.
Dr. Moy: Here you can see, really, in this neck area, where a lot of people are always complaining about this looseness, you can see at least modest tightening after six treatments. It's probably not as good as a facelift or a neck lift, right? But still significant tightening.
Dr. Ordon: For sure. And I mean, we talk about it all the time — surgery is not for everybody.
Dr. Moy: And this is one of the most common areas that people come to me with complaints about, and that is this arm area. I don't think we have a good operation for this, but you can really see both fat reduction and tightening of the skin.
Dr. Ordon: There was really no good operation for this, right? Not one that doesn't leave significant scars. That is incredible.
Dr. Moy: And then this is cellulite, and maybe some unevenness that maybe you would call, well, cellulite and loose skin. And we really get really amazing treatments. There are certainly other things out there that people have touted for cellulite — this is the best that we've seen in our hands. Especially that it's non-invasive and really easy, and they're easy treatments.
Misha: Those are some really incredible results. Now I know exactly what to do as those inevitable wrinkles start appearing on my face as I get a little bit older.
Dr. Ordon: And of course, as always, patients need to maintain a healthy diet and get some exercise to help maintain those results. And also, it's always a good idea to start maintaining your beauty before age gets too much of a head start. It's far easier to control and maintain a youthful appearance if you begin while you still have that youthful appearance.
Misha: I couldn't have said it better myself, Dr. Ordon. And TriPollar is a great procedure for someone just starting to notice those fine lines and wrinkles on the face, as well as those who want to tighten areas like the stomach or the thighs or arms. Now, Dr. Moy, thank you so much for being here with us today, talking about TriPollar treatments for facial wrinkles and skin tightening on both the face and the body. It's such a great technology, and I'm sure our viewers will love the results.
Dr. Moy: I'm sure they will too. Thank you very much for having me on your show.
Misha: If you would like to find out where you can have a TriPollar treatment in your area, make sure to visit the Aesthetic TV physician finder on our site for more information.
Dr. Ordon: Well, that wraps up another episode of Aesthetic TV. We hope you enjoyed learning about TriPollar and how it can help you look and feel your best. I'm Dr. Andrew Ordon. Thank you for watching Aesthetic TV, and remember to stay tuned and stay beautiful. Bye, everyone.
2. Ultrasonic Cavitation
Used selectively to support contouring around the lower face and jawline.
Read video transcript
Hi, I'm James Hooper, creator of the Butterfly Facelift. Let me show you the science behind Ultrasonic Cavitation, one of our five technologies. It starts with low-frequency ultrasound — mechanical sound waves, far below what you can hear — delivered gently through the skin surface. As those waves travel into the tissue, they create rapid cycles of high and low pressure in the fluid around the fat layer. During each low-pressure phase, microscopic vapor bubbles form, and then gently collapse. That's cavitation, and the energy it releases is focused right at the membranes of stubborn fat cells, while the surrounding skin, nerves, and vessels are left undisturbed. As those membranes give way, the cells release their contents — triglycerides — into the space between the cells. From there, your body takes over. The lymphatic system carries them away to be processed naturally, the same way it handles fat from food, gradually, over the days that follow. Through all of it, there's no surgery and no needles. Just a warm handpiece and a faint buzzing sound. No anesthesia, no downtime. Session by session, along the chin and lower face, the goal is a smoother, more defined-looking jawline. And because it's one of five technologies we layer together in the Butterfly Facelift, each step supports the next, for a more complete, non-surgical result.
As seen on The Dr. Oz Show
3. Ultherapy®/HIFU
Focused ultrasound supports lifting and tightening at carefully selected treatment depths.
Individual results vary.
Read video transcript
Dr. Oz: Today on the Dr. Oz Show, I've got an exciting show for you — get comfortable, today it's one of your favorite topics. I'm revealing how you can look 10 years younger in less than 30 minutes. I've got two cutting-edge plastic surgery procedures, and the results are going to blow you away. Up first, a revolutionary non-surgical facelift. We're going to get rid of one viewer's sagging neck live on this stage. But first, take a look at how this breakthrough technology can help you defy gravity without ever undergoing the knife.
Narrator: Every woman's fix-it list: what can I do to get rid of this? If you're over 40, you know what we're talking about — and you dread it. That unsightly flap of skin dangling underneath your neck, caused by excess fat, loose skin, and weak muscles. The solution, until now, was expensive and invasive surgery. But finally, there's a new groundbreaking lunchtime procedure to turn back the clock. It's a revolutionary technique that draws on an age-old technology you probably know best from prenatal exams, body scans, and physical therapy. Called Ultherapy, it uses focused ultrasound to lift and tighten sagging skin in just 30 minutes. And because it utilizes only sound waves, it is completely non-invasive, requires no recovery time, and can take just one treatment. Could a 50-year-old medical technology be the cutting-edge answer to your aging neck?
Dr. Oz: New York plastic surgeon Dr. Haideh Hirmand is here. She serves on the New Technologies Task Force of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Dr. Hirmand, do you see these new technologies actually changing how we age?
Dr. Hirmand: Absolutely. And it does it by slowing down the aging process. This technology, by regenerating collagen, actually slows down the aging — puts us on a different track.
Dr. Oz: There's a therapy you've talked about called Ultherapy, which I had not heard of before. I'd love for you to give me a little overview of how it differs from other skin-tightening procedures.
Dr. Hirmand: Absolutely. It's totally different from lasers and other cosmetic procedures we have. First of all, it's ultrasound — a first for us in the aesthetic domain. There's no downtime, no scars, no anesthesia — that's important for my patients. It's really cool. It's really sci-fi meets beauty. And remember, we can see what we're doing. We've never had this before. It's the first time, honestly, as a surgeon, that I'm really excited about a technology that's non-invasive.
Dr. Oz: Before we do this live on the stage, I want to show you with a little animation what's going on. Dr. Hirmand is talking about a therapy that goes not just on the skin, but deep under the skin. Let's take the neck as the example, because that's what we're going to deal with today. When the ultrasound touches the skin, it can fire down deep. There's the deep muscle of the neck. It's firing in and affecting the tissues just above the muscle and on the muscle. Then it can target areas that are just beneath the skin. What's going on? It's hitting and taking these collagen rubber bands that are lying there — the elastin — these things give you the bounciness — and it's getting them to regenerate, so there's more of them to do what they're supposed to do, which is to make your skin bouncy. So once you've done the process, you are able actually to reconfigure the skin — the tightening ends up pulling out the wrinkles, but you haven't cut the skin at all.
Dr. Hirmand: That's the hope.
Dr. Oz: And now we're going to find out if it works. Dr. Hirmand is about to take one of our audience members into her operating room. We're going to look at the sagging neck the audience member has been complaining about, and live on this stage we're going to try to do this. Carol, welcome. Thank you for volunteering. So why does this bother you a lot?
Carol: It does. Every time I look at a photograph of myself, my eyes go right to my turkey neck. And I feel like I look a lot older than I feel.
Dr. Oz: Well, tell me honestly if it hurts you.
Carol: I will.
Dr. Oz: Good, then we're going to take care of you. How old are you?
Carol: 51.
Dr. Oz: 51 years old. And we're going to go through this procedure. I know a lot of folks are interested in seeing how it works. Dr. Hirmand, can anyone have this procedure? What are the indications for it?
Dr. Hirmand: Well, actually, Carol is a good candidate. If you have loose skin that's moderate looseness, you're a good candidate. If it's too loose, it's not going to replace surgery. But remember, even if it's a little bit more than this, it's still a great alternative — if someone can't have surgery, doesn't want surgery, is not ready for surgery, or even after surgery to maintain results. So let's put your head back here now.
Dr. Oz: Dr. Hirmand, can you show us how this works? There's the device, obviously.
Dr. Hirmand: Okay, and this is the handpiece. I put on the ultrasound gel that ensures a good seal with the skin. And there — you can see it perfectly. Here's the skin that I showed you on the animation. This muscle down here is right there — you all see that? And that muscle is deep, deep in there.
Dr. Oz: So Dr. Hirmand is able to engage that entire area. Now you turn it on, is that right?
Dr. Hirmand: You're going to put your chin up a little bit further. Are you ready?
Carol: I'm ready.
Dr. Hirmand: I'm going to treat. Tell me if it hurts.
Carol: I will let you know... I honestly couldn't feel anything.
Dr. Hirmand: Okay, I'm going to move down just a little bit and treat again. Are you ready?
Carol: I'm ready... It's great.
Dr. Oz: So you can see that green line is fairly deep under the skin. I'm surprised it isn't hurting you — that's good, though. Does it usually create very little discomfort? Is that normal?
Dr. Hirmand: The sensation varies, of course, from person to person, but this is typical — tingling, pins and needles. It really doesn't need any anesthesia. It's really mild.
Dr. Oz: And what other parts of the body can you treat besides under the neck?
Dr. Hirmand: Well, you can treat the face and the neck. It's cleared by the FDA, and it also has a specific indication for brow lifting.
Dr. Oz: And cost — a rough idea?
Dr. Hirmand: Starts at about $1,000 and goes up from there, depending on what areas are treated.
Dr. Oz: Now, it takes several months to see the results. Since we can't wait to see everyone's on stage here, there are a couple of images I want to show you. Dr. Hirmand, would you walk us through?
Dr. Hirmand: Absolutely. Here you see the pre. In this person, there is laxity — looseness of the skin, of the jowls, of the neck. And if you see, after treatment, the neck is tighter, it's firmer, the skin is toned, the jawline is more defined. This is a good candidate. This is a typical result. And we have one more example, just in case you look like this — that's a more typical neckline.
Dr. Oz: Is that too much skin?
Dr. Hirmand: And you see, it's not 100 percent gone, so there is some skin.
Dr. Oz: It looks pretty good to me. It's a dramatic, dramatic result. And we've never been able to get that without surgery. I mean, it's pretty exciting. This is a cool device. So this procedure is going to take you about 20 minutes more, I gather. Dr. Hirmand has agreed to take you back to her office to complete it.
Carol: I'm so excited.
Dr. Oz: All right. Thank you very much. Congratulations. Next up, a cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedure that targets another area that women hate.
4. Microneedling with AQ Growth Factors
Supports collagen renewal and improves the appearance of texture, pores, fine lines and acne scarring.
Read video transcript
Hi, I'm James Hooper, creator of the Butterfly Facelift. Let me show you the science of microneedling with growth factors, and why we pair the two. Microneedling uses ultra-fine needles to create tiny, controlled microchannels in the skin — a process clinicians call percutaneous collagen induction. Each microchannel is a precise micro-signal, and your skin responds by triggering its wound-healing cascade, a coordinated sequence of repair. In it, the skin's fibroblasts lay down fresh type 1 and type 3 collagen, along with elastin, then remodel them over the weeks that follow — rebuilding the framework that keeps skin firm and smooth. And those same channels do something else. For a short window, they can help a serum absorb more deeply than it could on intact skin. That's where growth factors come in. Growth factors are the skin's own messenger proteins — signals like EGF, FGF, and VEGF — that help direct cell repair, collagen, and fresh blood supply. We use AQ growth factors, a concentrated blend of these signaling proteins, applied right into the freshly open channels to support your skin's renewal where it's needed. Microneedling opens the door, the growth factors walk through it — together supporting a more complete renewal than either could alone. Over a series of sessions, that renewal helps soften the look of fine lines, refine enlarged pores, smooth uneven texture, and improve the appearance of acne scars. Your treatment is customized to your skin, your concerns, and your goals. All without surgery, with little more than a bit of redness that settles quickly.
5. Red Light and Near-Infrared Therapy
Completes the session by supporting the skin’s natural recovery process.
Read video transcript
Hello, I'm James Hooper, creator of the Butterfly Facelift. Red Light Therapy is the final step in our five-technology treatment. Let me show you how it works. It uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light — gentle, soothing, and completely non-invasive. Unlike the everyday light around us, these wavelengths reach past the surface, into the living layers of your skin. There, the light is absorbed by tiny structures inside your cells called mitochondria — the part of the cell that produces its energy. That gentle boost helps your skin cells work more efficiently, supporting their natural cycle of repair and renewal. As those cells become more active, they support the skin's own production of collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep it looking firm and smooth. At the same time, red light helps encourage healthy circulation and calm the look of redness and inflammation. That's why it's the final step in the Butterfly Facelift — soothing the skin and supporting recovery after the other technologies have done their work. As the final step, we apply our human fibroblast growth factors, then bring you under the red light. The gentle warmth helps open the skin and draw those growth factors deeper, so your skin can absorb more of what helps it recover and renew. The goal is a calmer, smoother, more rejuvenated-looking complexion — with no surgery, no injections, and no downtime. Red Light Therapy: the finishing touch to the Butterfly Facelift.
Find Out Whether the Butterfly Facelift® Is Right for You
Meet privately with James Hooper to discuss your concerns, review relevant client cases and learn whether a customized Butterfly Facelift® may be appropriate for you.
A consultation does not guarantee treatment suitability or results. Individual results vary.
By appointment, 7 days a weekMon–Sun 9am–9pm · By appointment only
