Non-surgical skin tightening procedures work by using targeted heat energy to reach the layers of skin, stimulating collagen and elastin to gradually improve the youthfulness of the skin. Of course, you could opt for surgical options to get the results but non-surgical options can be considered as:
- They have limited downtime with minimal side effects
- They can be cost-effective
- They work great on light or moderately loose skin without scarring
- Results can last for more than a year
Our guide below will help you learn more about the different non-surgical skin tightening treatments.
1. Radiofrequency for Neck and Jowl Skin
Radiofrequency uses heat energy to promote contraction of the underlying tissues at the dermis level and also produce new collagen. These sculpt the neck and jowl skin to be more youthful and elastic.
Radiofrequency is the most popular treatment as it can be used on different areas of the body to achieve various benefits such as:
- Removal of cellulite, a common problem that occurs in women due to accumulation of fat.
- Reduction of body fat causing a weight loss effect on the treated areas. It melts body fats which is then drained out of the system producing a result at par to surgical means of losing body fat.
- Tightening of loose skin caused by aging and weight fluctuation by reaching deep into the dermis.
Great for people with sensitive skin, radiofrequency treatment is gentler on the skin than most thermal procedures. The treatment can be used to tighten the skin on many parts of the body such as the face (face wrinkles, jowls, smoker’s lines, eye wrinkles), stomach, arms, hands, thighs, knees, and buttocks. The procedure can take up to one hour with results appearing gradually within six weeks to three months.
2. Ultrasound Skin Tightening
Ultrasound therapy or Ultherapy focuses ultrasound energy below the skin’s surface to improve the appearance of medium loose or sagging skin. This treatment stimulates the creation of collagen, the protein that is responsible for a youthful appearance, firmness and elasticity of the skin. Ultherapy has been shown to be effective in tightening loose neck skin or “turkey neck”, and also smoothen wrinkles on the face.
A completely non-invasive procedure, ultrasound therapy lasts from 30 to 90 minutes depending on the area being treated.
3. Fractional Resurfacing
Fractional resurfacing can be used in areas that demonstrate fine or deep wrinkles, scars or discoloured red and brown skin tone. The most common areas of treatment are smile lines, cheeks, mouth, neck and décolletage or chest.
Fractional resurfacing uses localised heat and creates small micro-ablative columns to promote collagen restructuring. Both small areas like acne scars, smile lines and large areas like stretch marks and deep lines on the body can be treated by fractional resurfacing.
This treatment takes about 30 minutes and allows for topical anesthetic to make the procedure comfortable. Many patients see improvement after just one session, but depending on the area, multiple treatments can be performed to achieve greater results.
4. Dermal Fillers
Aging and sun damage can cause a loss of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the upper layers of the skin, both of which are responsible for youthful skin. Dermal fillers “fill” the spaces in the skin to increase facial volume, treat sagging skin and improve the appearance of wrinkles and lines.
5. Microneedling
Microneedling, also known as a “collagen induction therapy“, uses fine needles to create invisible puncture wounds on the top layer of the skin. By doing so, microneedling kick-starts the skin’s healing processes to replenish damaged collagen and thereby, rejuvenating your skin.
Primarily used to treat the face, neck, and chest, it also shows improvement on the hands, knees, and abdomen. Typically, 3 to 6 treatments are required to improve the texture of the skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and achieve a better skin tone.
6. Non-surgical Threadlifts
Currently trending in the beauty industry, threadlifts are minimally invasive procedures in which bio-absorbable threads are passed under the skin to stimulate the formation of a collagen matrix. The threads get a hold of the skin and pull the skin in a lifted position, reducing the sagging effect and making the skin look tightened.
Non-surgical threadlifts are done under anesthesia and require very little downtime compared to a surgical threadlift of about two to three days. Being non-invasive, side effects are also minimal. Patients may experience some bruising and redness which should subside on its own in a few days.
A threadlift can be used to tighten skin on the following areas:
- Laugh lines
- Jowls
- Droopy eyelids
- Sagging jawline
- Neck lines or turkey neck
- Décolletage
- Postpartum loose skin on the abdomen
Depending on the area being treated, the procedure takes 30 minutes to an hour and the results can last up to a year.
7. Laser Skin Tightening
Another minimally invasive procedure, this method uses infrared light to tighten skin by stimulating collagen under the skin’s surface. This works by bulk heating the skin to a temperature that metabolises unhealthy fibers and cells, stimulating collagen and elastin fibers.
A versatile treatment, lasers can be used on any area of the body, ranging from your face and neck to stomach, thighs or buttocks. The treatment takes 30 minutes with 4-6 sessions required depending on the area being treated. Patients may see some redness on the treated area which can be calmed by hydrating the skin and avoiding exercise for 1-2 days.
8. Intense Pulsed Light
Intense Pulsed Light uses bursts of intense light energy to heat the layers of the skin stimulating collagen production. Best used for improving skin tone and texture, it also tightens loose skin and decreases discolouration.
Three to six treatments is recommended with results appearing gradually over 2 to 3 months. Suitable for both men and women with moderate skin looseness and wrinkling, it is mostly used in combination with fillers, laser resurfacing or chemical peels for best results.
This concludes the 8 non-surgical skin tightening treatments. Keep in mind that most of these procedures show gradual results which may not be permanent as compared to surgical methods. You may also be required to schedule more than one session to observe good results. And of course, you can enhance and extend the youthfulness of your skin by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding sun damage and taking good care of your skin starting from now!