As we get older our skin starts to lose its firmness, skin starts to sag and wrinkles start to appear contributing to that ageing look. For women and also for men, there are several skin tightening treatment options (such as non invasive laser skin tightening) that help to restore the firmness of skin.
Treatment options are plentiful, from creams and lotions that you buy over-the-counter to the invasive surgical operations. Depending on what part of the body you want to tighten up your ideal treatment will depend on how much time and money you have. If you want to look more youthful, there are options for you no matter how old you are.
What Is Laser Skin Tightening?
Laser skin tightening is not the same as ablative laser skin resurfacing. In ablative laser skin resurfacing, a laser is used to remove the top layer of skin. This is an invasive but nonsurgical treatment. Because a layer of skin is being removed this allows a fresh new layer of skin to take its place. However there are many side-effects to laser skin resurfacing, the biggest being the associated bruising and swelling and resulting downtime.
Skin tightening lasers are little bit different. Although the technology is the same lasers used for skin tightening are a minimally invasive way for you to get back your youthful and firm skin. Results are permanent and the associated downtime compared with ablative lasers is non-existent.
It works by using lasers to warm the layer under the skin. This stimulates your body’s natural production of collagen under the surface of the skin. In effect as collagen production is being increased fine lines and wrinkles around the forehead, around the eyes and any other areas being targeted will start to fade away. The extra collagen production is used by the skin to fill out and smooth any skin blemishes.
Using a laser means that you do not have to undergo any painful incisions or even injections. Lasers used for skin tightening actually cool the upper layer of your skin while only heating up the collagen below the top layer of your skin. Unlike ablative lasers you will experience minimal discomfort.
How Long Does Laser Skin Tightening Take?
A session will take between 30 min to 1 hour depending on the size of the area being targeted. This is an outpatient procedure there is no need to be admitted to hospital. On large or sensitive treatment areas you may be given a topical anaesthetic cream that is applied directly on to your skin, there are no need for an injections.
Results are almost immediate, collagen production is stimulated immediately and most patients will notice results from even just one treatment. However as more sessions are undertaken over the next few months further tightening will result. To get the most benefit of laser skin tightening more than one treatment session is advised. Unlike a surgical facelift, there is no associated healing and downtime. You may need up to 3 treatments to get the best results.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of a treatment various considerably depending on the size of the area that you wish to treat. However expect to spend $500 to $2500 per session.
Laser Skin Tightening Risks & Side Effects
There are some risks associated with this laser technique. Although no surgical incisions or injections are used there are some temporary side-effects. Most patients report that after a treatment session the skin will feel warm and overly sensitive over where the treatment took place. In some more severe cases there maybe some localised swelling or bruising. The mechanism used to cool the top layer of your skin while the laser is being applied is getting better every time. The technology is continually improving in this area and patient discomfort is continually being reduce.
For almost patients, after a treatment session they are able to go back to work or resume other activities immediately.
If the thought of undergoing a full facelift or mini facelift is a little bit too much a laser skin tightening is a good viable alternative.
Resources
- http://www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet/skin_tightening.html – Content from the American Academy of Dermatology
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