Skin Tightening - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about Skin Tightening or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
Skin Tightening
Facial skin tightening with Infini - after two treatmetns
Treatment Options
| Infini® | CO2 Laser | DeepFX® | Titan | Thermage | Nd:YAG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results | ++++ | ++++ | +++ | ++ | + | + |
| downtime | 1 days | 7-14 days | 2-3 days | None | None | None |
| # Treatments | 2-3 | 1 | 1 | 1-3 | 1-3 | 3-6 |
| Lasting results | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years | Unknown | 2-3 years | Unknown |
| Avg. total cost | $2000-3000 | $3000 | $3000 | $4000 | $4000 | $2000 |
Treatments: Surgical revision, CO2 laser, Deep FX, Titan, Thermage , Nd:YAG, fractionated lasers
What is laser skin tightening
Laser skin tightening is a minimally or non-invasive process that uses an infrared light source (a laser) to tighten skin by heating the collagen under the skin's surface, causing the skin to contract (tighten).
Neck - Skin Tightening
Extremely effective treatmeant with Infini®
- Infini® - breakthrough technology (fractionated RF microneedling)
- Quick recovery - minimal downtime
- Creates new collagen to smooth wrinkles and improve aging and sagging skin
Skin tightening is a unique option for facial and body rejuvenation that produces dramatic results. Skin tightening effectively reduces the appearance of loose skin or fine and intermediate wrinkles for a smoother and more youthful appearance. Sometimes, surgical correction (face lift, tummy tuck etc) is the only option. However, most of the time, laxity of the skin is mild or moderate, and a less invasive treatment can achieve the desire results.
Who can benefit from skin tightening
People who start noticing loose skin in their cheeks, neck, chest, abdomen, buttocks, legs, and arms as a result of aging or weight loss could consider skin tightening treatment. Laser skin tightening is appropriate for men and women of all skin types and skin tones who wish to achieve dramatic results without painful surgery and lengthy recovery.
Skin tightening expected results
Skin type, body area, and downtime play a role in the outcome. Also, various laser technologies provide different degrees of skin tightening. In general, the more aggressive the treatment the more noticeable the results are.
CO2 laser treatment is the most aggressive approach and is usually used when skin tightening and skin rejuvenation are desired. It delivers the most drastic results. It is effective for the treatment of the face, and neck in fair and Asian skin.
A newer technology that is based on the CO2 laser is fractionated CO2 laser (DeepFX). It delivers similar results for skin tightening with greatly reduced downtime. In addition, it treats effectively other body areas such as the chest and the lax abdomen after pregnancy.
Titan laser can treat all body parts. In comparison to CO2 laser treatments, the downtime is much shorter but it requires multiple treatments to achieve substantial results. Results can last up to 2 years and additional treatment can follow to maintain the desired look.
Nd:YAG, Thermage™ ( radiofrequency), ReFirme™ are also used for tightening lose skin. These products use lower energy levels to deliver reduced patient discomfort. Consequently, multiple treatments are required to achieve significant results.
Skin tightening down time
If the 7-14 day-downtime of the conventional CO2 laser is unacceptable, fractionated CO2 with a downtime of 3-6 days may be used with minimal sacrifice of results.
Nd:YAG, Titan, Thermage™ do not harm the surface of the skin. Therefore, those treatments do not involve downtime. However, allocating time for multiple treatments should be considered.
Skin tightening pricing
Skin tightening cost depends on the desired results (number of treatments) and the size of the treated area and can vary between $500 to $7000.
CO2 laser or fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing require usually a single treatment with an average cost of $3000.
Thermage™ and Titan treatment cost structure is similar. A single session usually costs around $1500. As two to three treatments are usually needed, a patient should expect an average cost of around $4000.
Related treatments
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Hello,
I am 51 years old very fit and thin. I have noticed sagging skin on my thighs is there any treatment you recommend that will materially improve this?
Thank you .
Lax skin can be significantly improved by a laser treatment called Precision Tx and by radiofrequency (ThermiRF). With these treatments,a very skinny probe is inserted just beneath the surface of your skin and tightens the skin form the underside. The probes for radiofrquency treatment are designed for small areas such as the beck but Precision Tx can be used on larger areas of the body. Please schedule an appointment with our cosmetic surgeon, to learn about your options.
What is the preparation process for the Infiniti treatments? Is it the same as the C02 laser prep?
Yes, preparation for both fractionated CO2 laser and fractionated radiofrequency (infini) is very similar.
Hello- I am in my thirties and have three horizontal neck lines. My skin in the area is not sagging but i have these neck lines. I have heard that Radiofrequency can help with these neck lines. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4323608/
Do you offer radio frequency in your office? And do you think it might work on neck lines?
Fractionated radiofrequency can indeed significantly improve these necklines. It can take between 2-4 treatments at least 4 weeks apart to achieve the results you desire but you will see improvement even after the first treatment. The results will last several years. Downtime includes redness and swelling for 10-14 days, roughness of the neck skin from day 3 to 7 and possibly small bumps on the neck skin for 2-3 weeks. Post operative care with hydrating moisturizers makes the recovery a breeze compared to CO2 laser tightening. Please set up a consultation for fractionated radiofrequency (infini) in our office.
Doctor, I am a 68 year old Black American,with deep laugh lines,frown lines, skin seemed to have taken on a dull tone,with break outs. Do you think the deep fx, sounds like a good treatment for me?
The description that you provide does not let me think of fractionated CO2 laser such as DeepFX first. DeepFx is great for dullness and overall tightening yet will fall short of deep laugh lines and breakouts. there are so many other options that you might consider including fillers for deep laugh lines, peels, fractionated high powered radiofrequency and Picosure focus lens laser to mention just a few. Please schedule a complimentary consultation with our aestheticians for a thorough analysis and to learn about treatment options.
I am a 55 year old female of thin build who exercises on a regular basis. I have 2 “problem” areas; sagging upper arms and loose skin on my abdomen. What type of non invasive procedure would you recommend to help these two areas?
Skin tightening of the face and neck can be achieved with many different technologies. Skin tightening of the remainder of the body is still worlds behind that of the face because of the differences in wound healing. Externally applied radiofrequency and ultrasound have been available for a little while but do not reliably work for everybody. Fractionated CO2 laser tightening has unjustifiable downtime when used in areas other than face and neck. I believe that fractionated radiofrequency (Infini or other high intensity focused RF devices) is going to be the most successful device for this purpose going forward because it reaches directly into the layer where it is needed and it can safely be operated on all skin colors. We are currently operating Infini for the face and neck with excellent results and minimal downtime.
What treatments do you recommend for neck skin tightening?
Ultherapy delivers great results and works about 50% of the time. There are number of plastic surgeons in our area that perform the treatment and should it not work are able to apply some of the fee towards a lower face an neck lift.
For heavy upper eyelids with redundant skin and associated small flat and some rounded lesions around the eyes (cholesterol deposits) are there any options other than blepharoplasty and if so, what would the cost estimates to correct be? Thank you.
Correction of heavy upper lids can only be achieved surgically through a lid lift, a brow lift or combination. There is double gain if your cholesterol deposits are in the area that would be surgically removed. In addition to surgery, cholesterol deposits can also dissolved by application of trichloracetic acid (TCA). Complete resolution can take up to 3 TCA treatments. Cost per treatment of the deposits on the eyelid is currently $150.
Hello,
I am 46 and my eyes have hallowed out and I have permanent dark circles under my eyes. Would a cool
laser help with the dark circles and wrinkles ? I have had fillers under my eyes and the dark circles did not diminish,is surgery the best option?
Thanks!!
Lasers can nicely tighten the eyelid skin if skin laxity or fine lines are present. It cannot fill a structural void in hollowed areas. If fillers have not been effective for your hollows, surgery is the best option. I recommend consultation with a plastic surgeon who performs blepharoplasties.
Hello. I just turned 40. I have wrinkles under my eyes. I do not bags and nor do I have crows feet. I’m finished with creams and lotions that do nothing to repair this area. What are my options to remove the wrinkles under the eyes. Is fraxel and option for under the eyes only? What are my options and how much does each option cost?
Wrinkles under the eyes can be treated by fractional laser or surgically by lower lid blepharoplasty. Laser tightens the eyelid skin within itself whereas blepharoplasty tightens the skin through reduction of the skin in one dimension. Laser treatment is performed under local topical anaesthesia, causes redness for 6-12 weeks and is well tolerated. The results typically last 7-10 years. At that time, the genetic tendency for wrinkles to occur may catch up. Cost of fractional lid tightening is $1000. Hydrating (not firming) eye creams can eradicate very fine lines that are caused predominantly by dryness. They are recommended to be used after fractional laser treatment as well as after blepharoplasty.
Hi doctor!
I’m 33 and currently considering laser skin tightening however, I am currently pregnant. How long after delivery do you recommend patients waiting before getting these types of procedures?
You could start non-surgical skin tightening immediately after delivery yet I recommend to wait 6 months to take advantage of your skin’s capacity to firm up if your focus is the trunk or thighs. Facial procedures can be started any time after delivery.