Skin Tightening Treatments - Do Non-Surgical Methods Work?
By Brooke Seckel
New, but they are more invasive, subcutaneous laser treatments for skin significantly better than the clamping surface treatments currently available with Thermage, Titan, and Refirm Lux IR, in my experience. I predict that the new laser technology used to further enhance and gradually replace the old surface technologies, radio frequency and infrared energy to tighten skin.
Treatments such as skin tightening?
As our skin ages, loses its elasticity. The elasticity is what keeps our skin firm in our face and body. Depends on the elasticity of the collagen and elastin, named two components of the deeper layer of our skin, the dermis. The elastin and collagen to firm skin are in the deepest part of the skin is just above the layer of fat that lies beneath the skin.
Collagen is at 66 degrees centigrade, the collagen contracts and heats the skin tightened. This is called conversion and heating is done over several months after the collagen was.
The method of one of these machines is to heat the collagen in the skin deep to a contraction of collagen and alterations, the main cause of skin tightening. To achieve this heating of the skin is deep radiofrequency energy (Thermage), infrared energy (titanium, LuxIR deep), or heat a combination of both (Refirm) in the skin and increased collagen remodeling. These machines have sophisticated cooling devices to prevent the skin surface to be cooled to burns, while the energy passed through the skin into the deep dermis.
How effective are these treatments?
For this purpose infrared and RF-based therapies tone the skin. However 3-4 treatments scheduled 4-6 weeks is usually required to obtain a visible result. In my experience as a result of 20-30% is the best I can do what I did.
The most telling example of the benefits, in my experience is that I am a patient is a before photo shows next to a 6 months after admission the patient to see the difference. This is decidedly different than knowing a facelift or tummy tuck result; patients a significant improvement in skin tone after surgery immediately appreciate.
How are these treatments?
Costs vary, but generally the treatments cost about $ 1000.00 per treatment. Four treatments are generally reduced to $ 3,500.00. In my experience, four treatments are needed to see the best results.
What new technologies on the horizon?
New laser liposuction methods produce remarkable skin tightening, in addition to dissolve fat. Objective data on the proportion of the shrinking skin after liposuction laser treatments are not yet available. However, in my anecdotal experience, I see very important, the contraction of the skin visible after laser-assisted liposuction and the results were maintained for at least eight months, the longest I've seen to date.
The new laser technology is not really non-surgical, but is certainly minimally invasive. A small laser fiber is inserted under the skin into the fat. Heat from the laser dissolves fat and tightens the skin.
I guess I see better results because the more energy laser on collagen and elastin deep layer of the skin, where skin elasticity is provided.
My prediction is that this new minimally invasive technique is gradually replacing the current transcutaneous (from on top of the skin) technique used by the radio frequency and infrared techniques already mentioned.
How to decide which method is best for you
I must admit my bias, I am a specialist in plastic surgery and my goal is always the best outcome for the patient. Currently, if you lose the loose skin of the face and you want to look much younger, a facelift is performed professionally, clearly gives you the best result.
If you care that you do not want surgery, then I would recommend a radio frequency that the non-surgical methods or infrared. However, I will warn you that you need to study your face carefully to see the benefits.
I think the non-surgical procedures often use around the mouth, where face-lifting is less effective. I am also using the infrared device on the neck to recurrent laxity after a facelift to treat.
If you are not in a hurry, and are comfortable with the possibility of a minimally invasive procedure, by placing a small laser fiber is under the skin, then I would wait. Undoubtedly improve the new laser technology further.
Skin Tightening Treatments
