Skin tightening treatments are becoming increasingly popular, and we have mainstream media to thank for this! Skin tightening treatments come in different forms, helping us age gracefully.
Non-surgical skin tightening treatments have come a long way. Our patients love skin-tightening results with minimal downtime, and our staff loves providing safe and effective treatments with little to no risks. However, it is normal to feel nervous before jumping into a consultation or a procedure.
At Skin Technique, we enjoy providing skin tightening treatments because of their ability to naturally regenerate the skin’s collagen and elastin production. These treatments honour your beauty – a core principle we bring to every treatment room.
This article will provide questions to consider when scheduling a skin tightening consultation. Our goal is to provide answers so you may feel more confident and informed before booking a consultation or a skin tightening procedure for your sagging skin.
How Do Skin Tightening Procedures Work?
Skin tightening treatments use safe and precise controlled trauma to the deep layers of the skin to force a natural healing process, triggering collagen production. Collagen is a protein that provides structure to our skin. Our collagen production slows down by the time we turn 20, which results in gradual skin laxity, fine lines, wrinkles, and increased appearance of sun damage.
Skin-tightening treatments can provide:
- Improvement to the skin’s natural collagen and elastin production
- Reduction to the appearance of skin laxity, fine lines, wrinkles
- It can also improve skin tone and texture
- There is little to no downtime with these procedures, which means you don’t have to pause your life if you don’t have to!
- The results are always natural
What are the Non-Surgical Skin Tightening Treatments at Skin Technique?
As a clinic that prides itself on putting YOU first, we are dedicated to bringing in the best and most effective skin-tightening technologies to our patients.
Microneedling + Radiofrequency (RF)
Morpheus8 and Intensif are the newest innovative treatments that combine the technology of microneedling and radiofrequency to promote the production of collagen. This results in skin tightening and smoother skin texture. The treatment works by creating controlled micro-injuries to the skin using microneedling technology, while the radiofrequency waves heat up the collagen layer to trigger its natural restorative processes. Both treatments revolutionize skin tightening and contouring without any prolonged downtime, plus it is safe to treat any Fitzpatrick type in any season.
We offer these two treatments to suit your skin physiology because we know through experience that every skin is different.
Ultrasound Therapy (Ultherapy)
Ultherapy is a non-invasive, FDA and Health Canada-approved treatment that uses ultrasound technology to stimulate the growth of collagen. The treatment works by sending micro-precision heat energy directly to the layer where collagen sits, leaving the epidermis unaffected. This allows the collagen to immediately contract and go through the process of denaturation to effectively speed up the skin’s healing process.
By stimulating collagen production, the skin gradually tightens and lifts over a 6-month period. The results will visibly lift the jowls and brows, and tighten the cheeks, neck, and chest. Because Ultherapy treats below the epidermis, it is safe to get the treatment at any time of year and with any Fitzpatrick type. Ultherapy is not short of celebrity fans, with Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox loving their results without downtime!
What is the Best Skin Tightening Treatment?
Determining which skin tightening treatment will benefit you most is not straightforward. Everyone’s skin concerns are unique, and what works well for you may not be the best solution for another person. But to give you a small guide:
RF microneedling may be best for those who are looking to treat other parts of the body other than their face, as well as if you have secondary skin concerns like minimizing acne scars and stretch marks.
Ultherapy is great for those who don’t want to commit to more than one day of skin-tightening treatment a year but are still looking for effective results.
Ultimately, an experienced skin care practitioner at Skin Technique can assess your needs and suggest an appropriate action plan.
What Can I Expect from Skin Tightening Treatments?
We can treat almost anything
You can treat almost any area of the body you’re interested in! With Morpheus8 and Intensif, you can treat anywhere from the face, neck, and chest, down to the abdomen, arms, and thighs. While with Ultherapy, its lifting results are best seen on the face, neck, and chest.
Expect mild discomfort
Skin tightening treatments can be uncomfortable. But it all depends on the patient’s tolerance, coupled with the type of skin tightening device you choose for your skin goals. But no need to worry, we will use topical anesthetic to ease the pain. It’s important for us to make sure you feel comfortable with every step of your treatment.
Expect results within 3-6 weeks
Skin tightening triggers the skin’s natural collagen production, which needs time to regenerate. Within 3-4 weeks after your RF microneedling, or Ultherapy treatment, the initial results will appear- showing soft and smoother skin. About 4-6 weeks after a series of RF microneedling treatments, your skin will look tighter and smoother. With Ultherapy, the best results are visible 6 months after a single treatment, with your skin looking tighter and lifted.
Results can last up to a year
For skin tightening treatments, the results vary per individual but on average, patients enjoy the results of Ultherapy and RF microneedling for a year and maintenance as needed for the following year.
As always, it is best to consult our treatment providers to determine the best type of skin tightening treatment for your skin goals.
There is some preparation involved
It’s important to stop using retinol, glycolic acid, or any other chemical exfoliants to reduce the skin’s sensitivity during and after the treatment. It is also good to be mindful of blood thinner intake, such as alcohol or medications like aspirin, as this might increase your chances of bruising post-treatment.
Prepare for 3-7 days of downtime
Many skin tightening treatments are non- or minimally invasive and rarely cause any serious side effects. With that said, you may experience temporary bruising, swelling, tingling, or redness. These side effects typically last 3-7 days. However, it’s important to note that each person’s body reacts differently. So while others may only experience post-treatment symptoms for 3 days, some may feel it for 8 or 14 days.
Does it Matter who the Skin Care Practitioner is?
Absolutely! An unskilled medical esthetician can leave your body with accidental burns and scars. These scars might take longer to recover from. Skin Technique employs experienced laser, body and skin care practitioners with years of experience in the field. As a physician-led clinic, we provide our patients with the best and latest technology in the industry.
If you have further questions on what you should (& shouldn’t) do before a skin tightening procedure, don’t hesitate to ask your medical aesthetician. They will also go through your medical history during your consultation to make sure there are no health contraindications with the skin tightening procedure.
Get a Skin Consultation at Skin Technique
Excited to start your skin tightening journey? We warmly invite you to book your consultation today!
Our team at Skin Technique is keen to help you answer any of your brewing questions, from skin-tightening to any of our signature treatments such as MystLift™ or TiredEye™. During the consultation, your skincare practitioner will evaluate your individual needs & goals and develop a tailored plan of action. We look forward to meeting you!