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Laser skin tightening, simply put, is the tightening of the skin on the face, neck, or body using the good old-fashioned laser heat. Laser skin tightening treatment addresses aging and loose skin non-invasively by incorporating radiofrequency technology into the process. This technique contours the body and helps tighten loose skin.
In addition, it promotes the healthy production of collagen by your body’s organic way of healing. Results appear almost immediately, with improvements continuously seen as the body heals and produces more collagen. Laser skin tightening is one of the most effective methods for tightening loose, crepey skin. Let’s learn today its areas of treatment and why it was deemed so.
What is Laser Skin Tightening and How Does It Work?
Laser skin tightening heat tissues within the most superficial layers of the skin down to the dermis. Depending on the target area’s size, it can perform targeted areas in sessions of 45 minutes to an hour and a half. This procedure has no downtime, allowing patients to incorporate this procedure into their busy schedules. In addition, this treatment also has minimal discomfort that will enable patients to have adequate tolerance for multiple therapies for optimal results, all in a span of four (4) to six (6) months.
The laser has two settings with a radiofrequency treatment that allows deep penetration, creating new collagen throughout the skin. As a result – skin becomes smoother, more pleasing for more significant maintenance. The creation of heat and friction within the deeper tissues benefits superficial skin appearance and wrinkles and enhances the deeper tissues’ shape and firmness. This treatment makes it ideal for body areas such as the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs, which leads to an overall younger appearance and complexion. In addition, this treatment gives the whole-body experience of anti-aging on a much deeper level without the downtime or discomfort of a more effective cosmetic procedure.
Three Major Methods
Laser skin tightening treatments fall under three major categories: ultrasound, radiofrequency, and radiofrequency micro-needling.
Ultrasound
Contrary to popular belief, ultrasounds are not only for expectant mothers. Ultrasound laser treatments are proven very effective for those patients who want a heavy-duty lift afterward. Ultrasound energy focuses on heating the skin at deeper depths than the other methods, so the tightening and lifting will be more profound under the skin. Ultrasound treatments are delivered using handheld devices that procure ultrasound waves. Usually, doing one or two treatments spaced apart equally based on your plasticity will do the trick.
Radiofrequency
A handheld device is also used to heat the skin for that practical, tightening effect with radiofrequency. This method heats the skin at a more superficial level that triggers collagen production, with little to no downtime. Much like ultrasound treatments, radiofrequency procedures can provide a feeling of being very hot— like having a hot stone massage. This type of treatment is a gradual process that needs at least two to six treatments, usually delivered seven (7) to ten (10) days apart.
Radiofrequency Microneedling
You can compare the radiofrequency micro-needling tool to a stamp. It is a motorized stamper with 37 gold plated needles. What is done is stamping the skin to create microscopic holes, not destroying the epidermis and creating micro-tears like with microneedling. Once the needles are inserted, radiofrequency is then emitted to tighten the layers of the skin. Like most laser treatments, radiofrequency microneedling is quick but will require multiple, additional treatments later on. Three to four sessions spaced within four (4) to six (6) weeks apart will provide the best results.
Areas of Laser Skin Tightening Treatment
Lasers skin tightening can be used to tighten skin almost anywhere on the body. Yes, you’ve read it correctly. Lasers can treat loose skin on any part of the body – on the face, neck and chin, décolletage, stomach, thighs. You can use laser skin tightening anywhere on the body you want to improve. But it is also essential to take note that not all lasers are made equal. Lasers that might work their magic on the butt might not be the best option for tightening your undereye area. So, proper consultation of what laser goes best with specific body parts is crucial before undergoing laser skin tightening treatment.
Additional Things to Ponder
Laser skin tightening has little-to-no downtime required.
The benefit of non-surgical laser skin tightening, although gradual, is that there is no downtime. You have to be patient and wait before the collagen and elastin are naturally produced. Usually, with a few treatments spaced apart equally, laser skin tightening can achieve little or no downtime – one has to be patient. With ultrasound and radiofrequency methods, patients may have minor redness and a feeling of tenderness in the targeted areas. And with just no use of makeup or doing exercise for the next 24 hours after each treatment, radiofrequency microneedling is the only known treatment to have any real post-care, if that’s what we can call that.
You might need multiple sessions before getting the best results.
Even though there is little-to-no downtime or even pain after laser skin tightening, one drawback is that, in general, multiple treatment sessions are needed later on. These treatments are spaced a few days or even weeks apart after your initial treatment. Doctors can call for additional sessions between two (2) to ten (10) treatments of radiofrequency or radiofrequency microneedling, which will target superficial layers of the skin. They can also call for just one (1) up to five (5) ultrasound treatments since this type of treatment targets deeper layers of the skin right above the muscles.
Anyone at any age can undergo laser skin tightening.
Patients in their 20s who have skin that doesn’t demand laser skin tightening can do this procedure as a preventive measure. They can get ahead and prevent potential skin sagging by getting a laser treatment. These procedures help bank and store collagen, so it is convenient even for young people for future skin rejuvenation and gaining. In addition, this treatment also decreases the need to undergo surgical lifting.
In the end, it is safe to say that laser skin tightening is there to keep our skin from the suffering of sagging and drying out. Nevertheless, knowing when and how to go about this treatment is beneficial, so take time to do research first. Once you are equipped with the proper knowledge, laser skin tightening will be a piece of cake for you later on.
Want to know more about laser skin tightening and other effective skin tightening treatments? Our amazing friends from Premier Med Spa can help you out with that! Visit them now!