Radio Frequency or Laser - which one tightens only?

Question

I’m interested in tightening the skin on my face and neck, but am concerned that the non-invasive procedures like radio frequency or laser will also remove the fat which is counter productive, especially at my age. Is there a radio frequency or laser procedure that will ONLY tighten the skin?

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

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Danielle Shanley, MD · Answer

You are a great candidate for NeoGen! Using advanced nitrogen plasma technology, NeoGen effectively tightens, adds volume, resurfaces, and rejuvenates the skin. It addresses and enhances the entire skin structure, targeting multiple concerns at once. Unlike microneedling, which can cause volume loss, NeoGen is less painful, avoids fat melting on the face, and typically results in only mild redness similar to a chemical peel. Many patients achieving their desired results after just one treatment!

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Radio frequency is going to help tighten the skin more so than some lasers will.  If you have a really deep/invasive laser, this will help tighten but with a lot of down time.  For sole purpose of tightening, I would recommend RF.   It is true that RF microneedling can remove fat or volume, depending on the specific settings.  If you are wanting to achieve tightening only without fat reduction, make sure that you are finding a provider that is experienced and knowledgeable with their RF device to ensure that they are using appropriate settings.

Paul Flashner, MD · Answer

This is a great question. The Morepheus8 is a great treatment to help the texture of the skin as well as skin tightening. Be sure to have a consultation to express your concerns because the Morpheus can in fact destroy unwanted fat like under the chin if desired. But if the appropriate setting can be used for tightening only is also an option. Venus legacy would be a great maintenance treatment.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Both radio frequency and laser can be used to tighten skin.  Both treatments have different settings which would determine how deep the treatment would be.  If the settings are adjusted correctly, there should be no fat loss with either treatment.

Laura A. Katz, MD · Answer

Neither one tightens only.  Radiofrequency microneedling causes plumping of collagen, filling in of scars, muscle contraction, and skin tightening.  It can also cause some minor fat loss.

Stuart Diamond, MD · Answer

Hi SarahGG! Morpheus 8 is amazing for all things skin tightening and is super common. Here at Bodyrx Location in south jersey we offer lots of different packages and combinations of Morpheus and BBL/MOXI. Eon is also a super popular ground breaking treatment. We are the only ones with this in the TRI state area. Eon laser is a 20 minute procedure that kills 22% of body fat in targeted area each time. We recommend a package of 6 for this treatment to really see those amazing results.

Luis A. Perez, DO · Answer

These procedures are operator dependent. You need to go to a person that knows their anatomy and understand your concern. If the person doing the procedure understands anatomy no fat loss should take place on your face.