Skin tightening on tattooed arms? Are the treatments safe for tattoos?

Question

I am 33 with loose upper arm skin “bat wings”. I’m interested primarily in nonsurgical options, like ultherapy or thermage. Are these effective treatments for this area? Also, are the treatments safe for tattoos, meaning the tattoo will not be damaged?

Timothy Jochen, MD · Answer

When considering skin tightening treatments on tattooed arms, it's essential to understand the potential impact on the tattoos. Treatments like radiofrequency (RF), microneedling with RF, and non-ablative lasers are generally safe and less likely to affect the tattoo ink.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

arms typically need skin removal or AT LEAST internal heating if you want tightening. non Invasive will do "okay" if you have tight arms and some fat. 
You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Apostrophe,
in case you have a lot of loose skin, then arm lift can be the best option. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Mauricio Levine, MD · Answer

Tempsure-Envi is an excellent therapy to tighten skin, however, not a good idea when you have tattoos.
Because it is Radio frequency, it may damage the Tattoo. It will depend where is the tattoo in relation to where you apply the radio frequency.

Skin tightening on tattooed arms? Are the treatments safe for tattoos?

Answers (4)

Answer: Tempsure for Skin tightening

Answer: Tempsure for Skin tightening

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Everything you need to know about Skin Tightening

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Skin tightening on tattooed arms? Are the treatments safe for tattoos?

Answers (4)

Answer: Tempsure for Skin tightening

Answer: Tempsure for Skin tightening

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Everything you need to know about Skin Tightening

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