Skin tightening+Resurfacing : Morpheus or Kybella? CO2 or BBL? Long term effect desired with min maintenance. (photos)

Question

Hello; 33 y.o, some normal sun damage, possible melasma upper left of forehead. I'm looking to 1) address the sunkenness and darkness under my eyes, 2) lift/eliminate the bit of fat/sag of my jowls and 3) improve overall skin texture. Minimal maintenance desired--1-2x per year at most. Have seen two specialists. Deciding between Facetite or Morpheus or Kybella? Adding either CO2 or BBL laser? And a bit of filler if needed for eye or jawline? Timeline? Do not currently use any retinol products

Timothy Jochen, MD · Answer

When considering skin tightening and resurfacing treatments with a focus on long-term effects and minimal maintenance, Kybella and CO2 laser resurfacing are excellent options. Kybella is an injectable treatment that targets and destroys fat cells, primarily used under the chin, but its off-label use can address small areas of unwanted fat, contributing to a tighter, more contoured appearance. It provides long-lasting results since the destroyed fat cells do not return, requiring minimal maintenance after the initial series of treatments.

For skin resurfacing, CO2 laser is highly effective in treating deeper wrinkles, scars, and significant skin laxity. It works by removing the outer layers of damaged skin and stimulating collagen production in the underlying layers, leading to smoother, tighter, and more rejuvenated skin. The results from CO2 laser resurfacing are long-lasting, often requiring only one treatment for dramatic improvements, followed by occasional touch-ups.

While Morpheus8, which combines microneedling with radiofrequency, and BBL (BroadBand Light) therapy are also effective for skin tightening and resurfacing, they may require multiple sessions and more frequent maintenance. In contrast, Kybella and CO2 laser provide significant, long-term benefits with minimal ongoing upkeep, making them preferable choices for those seeking enduring results with less frequent treatments. Always consult with a qualified practitioner to determine the best approach for your specific needs and ensure safe, effective outcomes.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

These are all natural parts of the aging process. What we can do is try preventative treatments or get a neck lift / face lift earlier in the aging process. There are numerous non-surgical options available, and some can be used in combination to get best outcomes, but you would need a consultation with an expert. Dermarolling should be started now (see link).

Some options for skin tightening include:

- Thermage radiofrequency to heat the skin, tighten it over time, and prevent the aging process
- Ultherapy high-intensity ultrasound to contract the muscle, tighten the face and neck, and prevent the aging process
- PDO NovaThreads or InstaLift threads for immediate lifting without surgery and long-term collagen production
- Sculptra injections for collagen production to areas of the face and neck with crepey skin or early sagging
- BTL Exilis Ultra, Venus Legacy, and Thermi250 for monthly collagen stimulation with facials
- ThermiRF, Renuvion (J Plasma), or Inmode BodyTite for internal heating and tightening with or without surgery
- Fillers (or facial implants) to contour the jawline, chin, cheeks ad under eyes to improve the appearance of the neck
- Face lift / neck lift with fat grafting and fillers if you need a significant improvement​

​I would suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer​​​​

Michael Hakimi, MD · Answer

Facetite would give you the results you want. It is one and done.
M8 requires few treatments so with the type of low maintenance results you want it is not a good choice.
Kybella melts fat but does not tighten skin. And very risky in the jowl area being close to the nerve.

Hope this helped

Skin tightening+Resurfacing : Morpheus or Kybella? CO2 or BBL? Long term effect desired with min maintenance. (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Facrtite

Answer: Facrtite

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Skin tightening+Resurfacing : Morpheus or Kybella? CO2 or BBL? Long term effect desired with min maintenance. (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Facrtite

Answer: Facrtite

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Skin Tightening

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.