Titan Laser: What You Need to Know

Written byKarina GiglioUpdated on June 13, 2023
You can trust RealSelf content to be unbiased and medically accurate. Learn more about our content standards.
Written byKarina GiglioUpdated on June 13, 2023
You can trust RealSelf content to be unbiased and medically accurate. Learn more about our content standards.

Fast facts

50% Worth It rating based on 14 reviews

$1,225 average cost

No downtime

Topical anesthesia


Titan Laser (Page Image)
Titan Laser (Page Image)

The Titan laser is an FDA-cleared infrared device that’s designed to tighten skin on the face, neck, stomach, and upper arms. The infrared energy heats the dermis beneath the skin’s surface, which stimulates collagen production and creates firmer, tighter skin over time. 

As skin ages, collagen fibers begin to stretch and collagen production slows, resulting in sagging skin.

The Titan procedure works two ways:

  • First, it heats the weakened collagen, causing it to immediately contract and thicken.
  • Second, it creates micro injuries to the dermal layer of skin, boosting the production of new collagen over the next several months.

The results from Titan skin tightening won’t be nearly as dramatic as they would be with surgical procedures such as a facelift, eyelid lift, neck lift, and arm lifts or tummy tucks. But it can be a good option for people looking for modest results without the risks of surgery.

“The best candidates for Titan are those who have mild to moderate sagging,” says Dr. M. Christine Lee, a dermatologic surgeon in Walnut Creek, California, in a RealSelf Q&A. “Patients can expect about 20–30% improvement after three to four treatments, done a month apart. I recommend maintenance treatments once or twice a year.”

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Pros

  • It tightens skin tightening, without the costs or risks of surgery.
  • There’s no downtime.

Cons

  • Titan reviews and patient satisfaction greatly vary. Only 50% of RealSelf members say it’s Worth It. 
  • Like all nonsurgical treatments, it won’t deliver anywhere near the tightening results of a traditional facelift.

Before treatment, a topical anesthetic cream is applied and you'll be given protective eyewear. Because this is a nonablative laser treatment (meaning that it leaves the surface of the skin intact), no other anesthesia is needed.

Your provider uses a handpiece to apply brief pulses of laser energy to the skin. It targets a dime-size area at a time, and a continuous burst of cool air from the Titan laser ensures comfort. Patients describe the treatment sensation as a mild stinging, similar to a rubber band being snapped against the skin. 

After the procedure, it’s normal to feel a warm sensation, redness, and minor swelling (like a mild sunburn), but these side effects resolve after a few hours. The treatment area may also become temporarily white (a condition called blanching). This usually lasts for a day or less. 

Total treatment time varies, but treating the face should take about an hour. “The Titan procedure is very technique-dependent. In order to get an adequate treatment, the operator needs to do multiple passes over the face, which can take over an hour. If your treatment is done in 15 minutes, you’re definitely not getting an adequate treatment, ” says Dr. Lee.

Some skin tightening may be noticeable immediately, with additional tightening over the next few months. New collagen growth takes 90 to 180 days, which is when you can expect to see the final result. 

Most patients can expect to enjoy their results for a year or two. The natural aging process will continue, so you’ll need annual follow-up treatments to maintain your results.

Updated June 13, 2023

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