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Wouldn't it be nice if we could simply tighten the skin all over our bodies? That would certainly make the aging process a lot more agreeable to most of us. Alas, it is not that easy. Not only do we lose elasticity in our skin (dermis), but we also stretch out the vertical attachments that bind our skin to the underlying muscle and bone. We also loose elasticity in the connective tissue that invests and supports the fat compartments of our face and body. The latter is what underlies the expansion and descent of the jowl fat compartment in our face.That is why there is no magical non-surgical procedure or minimally invasive device that can reliably tighten sagging skin in the face. That doesn't mean that good results aren't possible without surgery. You can get good results when you combine several minimally invasive procedures. My approach is to first consider whether fat or filler is needed to support a deflated face. As we age we lose deep structural fat in the cheeks, temples and around the eyes. Fat in the upper face is important because it acts as a scaffold to support and prevent sagging of skin in the lower face and neck. Injecting filler or fat not only restores the graceful contours of the upper face, but it acts to minimize sagging in the jowl area and neck. Second, I recommend a combination of fractionated CO2 laser to improve the skin's surface texture and wrinkles, and micro needle RF to restore the elasticity and thickness of the skin. Radiofrequency is the best modality for increasing the number of "elastin fibers" in the skin's dermis, which are needed for the skin to hold its shape (elasticity). I strongly favor the Profound RF (Dermal) in combination with the fractionated CO2 laser. Finally, if there is expansion of the jowl fat compartment (heavy jowls), or fatty changes in the neck, I add a different type of RF energy to improve those areas. I use the needle based Profound SubQ system, or the ThermiTight cannula to tighten this deeper space under the skin. Unfortunately, none of these procedures are very effective in reducing platysma bands, although Botox can be of value. These procedures can be combined into a single office-based "skin tightening" treatment, which is my preferred approach. I wish you the best.
Ultherapy™ is a new non-invasive ultrasound procedure that has recently been approved by the FDA for use in the US. It has, however, been available in Asia and in Europe for several years, and preliminary results have been impressive. Ulthera™ is currently only being offered to select physicians within the US who have significant facial aesthetic practices, many of whom are involved in research and clinical studies as well.Ulthera is the first device that uses ultrasound technology to stimulate the body's own collagen response for lifting and tightening the skin and underlying soft-tissue of the face. This system also uses acoustic imaging to enable the physician to see the layers of soft tissue beneath the skin prior to treatment to ensure a uniform and accurate application of the ultrasound waves. This differs significantly from any other device that is currently on the market which typically use radio frequency or lasers to stimulate the skin.While Ultherapy is not going to yield the dramatic results of a surgical face-lift, many patients in my practice prefer the subtle, yet significant tightening and lifting of the skin and underlying soft tissue (jowl) that Ulthera provides. It is less expensive than a traditional facelift or MACS lift, has no downtime, and no bruising or swelling. I see Ultherapy™ as one tool in a full spectrum of options we have available to help patients achieve their desired outcome for facial rejuvenation. Physician credentials and experience, communication, education and expectation of the patient are all key to having an optimal outcome, regardless of whether the procedure is surgical or non-surgical.
I often see patients who wish to undergo facial rejuvenation. Sometimes they have fears about actual cutting procedures or for medical reasons (ie: blood thinners) can't have them. My first answer is: You can't! In reality you can't tighten the skin of the face effectively without removing part of it surgically. The good news is these are usually medium sized procedures that you get well from in about 10 days with draumatic improvements. They are often being portrayed as big and bad by non-surgeons who want patients to only have sculptra, dermal fillers. The take home message is go to someone who can offer you and unbiased look the whole spectrum of options, surgical and nonsurgical. My Second Answer: You can make big improvements and rejuvenate the face if you combine adding volume in the right areas (cheeks, temporal areas, nasolabial folds, brow, etc) with Sculptra and dermal fillers like Juviderm or Restylane for facial lines and wrinkles. If you add fractional laser resurfacing sun damage, fine wrinkles, mild skin tightening and Botox Cosmetic for animation related wrinkles (like crowsfeet and the lines between the brow), you can get exceptional results and draumatic rejuvenation. I doesn't replace a facelift but it really, really helps. I often combine these procedures with a lifting procedure to get truely the most exceptional results.
Radiofrequency (RF) therapy is a highly effective non-invasive treatment for tightening sagging skin and improving overall skin texture. This advanced procedure utilizes radiofrequency energy to heat the deeper layers of the skin, specifically targeting the dermis and subdermal layers. The controlled heating process stimulates collagen and elastin production, which are essential proteins for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity. RF therapy is renowned for its ability to contour and lift the skin without the need for incisions or downtime. It is commonly used to treat areas such as the face, neck, and body, providing a noticeable improvement in skin laxity and a more youthful appearance. The treatment is typically well-tolerated, with patients experiencing only mild warmth and a slight tingling sensation during the procedure. Over a series of sessions, RF therapy can effectively reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin, offering long-lasting results that continue to improve as collagen remodeling occurs.
Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive skin and soft tissue tightening treatment that is consistently amazing in our patients. We use the Morpheus to exact fractional induced RF into the skin or tissue in order to tighten collagen and stimulate contraction of the tissue. For acne scars, it is quite useful to build collagen in patients who have atrophic scars but is not very productive for ice-pick scars which require TCA Cross. For tissue tightening, Morpheus is ideal for the face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Ultherapy to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity. Avoid exfoliating skin treatments before Morpheus and expect a period of 2-4 weeks for skin contraction to set in. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Realself100 Surgeon
Without photos, I can only make some general comments. Happily, we now have a number of robust, natural, hyaluronic acid-based fillers that can achieve the following usually in one sitting: restoring upper cheek projection and lift in order to create a more heart-shaped face and to diminish smile folds; to straighten and better define the jawline and eliminate jowls; the elevate and straighten marionette lines and downturned angles of the mouth. We also have have some less robust hyaluronic acid injectables for addressing the vertical "lipstick bleeding" lines around the mouth and the horizontal "worry" lines along the forehead and "frown" lines between the eyebrows. And we other other injectable hyaluronic acid products, known as skin boosters that can be deposited throughout the skin to increase skin hydration and tautness. None of the aforementioned requires going under the knife, and particularly in the case of volumizing and lifting fillers, the results are typically immediate and elicit a "Wow!" response. Be "buyer beware" cautious in evaluating claims for this or that fraxel laser or radiofrequency devices as to date the purported benefits of these "bells and whistles" are far more backed by device manufacturer supported marketing hype than hard science. Hope this helps and best of luck.
FaceTite can internally tighten the skin in the lower face and neck. After all the skin has been heated and contracted, we shape the neck with liposuction to give definition and remove stubborn pockets of fat. In one quick treatment, we can tighten skin, remove fat, and contour the lower face, jawline, and jowls with only a weekend of downtime. Keep in mind that combination approaches will give you a more significant improvement as opposed to a single procedure. I recommend getting a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and facial sculpting expert. Best, Dr. Emer
The procedures I recommend depend heavily on the amount of loose skin and the location. My top two recommendations are: Active FX for the face, neck and chest and Cool Lipo for the neck, abdomen, knees and arms. Non surgical options usually require multiple treatments every 3-4 weeks to reach maximum results. Be sure to consult with a board-certified dermatologist to ensure you are getting the best treatment and the results you are looking for.
Dr. Petti below gives some excellent suggestions and repeating them here is not necessary. However, I would add the following to her answer:The trend is now away from lasers and towards radiofrequency to tighten skin. It better addresses not only the dermis, but the underlying subcutaneous tissue and fascial network as well, which is essential to get the best tightening of the skin. For a few years, I have used ThermiTight for this, however, there is more superior technology available. FaceTite (inMode corp) is the best technology available to tighten the skin of the neck and around the jawline. This can be done under local anesthesia, takes about 30 minutes and requires only a few needle punctures in the skin. Downtime is minimal.
Hello,There is good news for you in that technology has greatly improved over the last two decades. Because you do not include much information, I can generally tell you that I have seen impressive improvement with radio frequency and laser devices. The strong chemical peel groups can also do the job. These tighten the skin. If you have significant sagging, you have to realize that none of the aforementioned will tighten muscle or reposition tissue. Best of luck to you.