Is A Skin Tightening Procedure Right For You?

If you have fine lines or sagging facial skin you may want to correct, you may be looking into different cosmetic treatments. If you don't want to go under the knife, you may want to look into skin tightening procedures. Read on to see if this treatment route is right for you.

How Do Skin Tightening Treatments Differ from Other Treatments?

You may have heard of Botox and dermal fillers, but these options are different than skin tightening treatments. Botox injections are derived from Botulinum toxin, a bacterium that causes muscles to relax, thus reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Dermal fillers are injectable products that contain ingredients, like collagen and hyaluronic acid, which help to plump up the skin.

There are no injections for skin tightening treatments. Instead, a health provider uses handheld devices like lasers and/or ultrasound to heat up the skin's lower layers. This heat encourages the body to produce collagen and elastin, which are two proteins that help skin look healthy and smooth.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Skin Tightening Treatments?

In general, skin tightening is great for people with mild to moderate wrinkles or skin laxity. If you want to make major changes, then other procedures—like a facelift—may be better. Skin tightening can reduce the appearance of

  • Eye bags
  • Frown lines
  • Furrow lines
  • Nasolabial folds
  • Crow's feet

You'll want to consult with your doctor before proceeding with skin tightening, as pregnancy, certain medications, and certain health conditions may be contraindicated.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Skin Tightening?

The major advantage of skin tightening is that you can improve the appearance of loose and/or wrinkled skin without risking surgery or surgical scars. Besides some soreness or redness after treatment, there are few side effects, and you don't need any downtime to recover. Skin tightening treatments can be done in one appointment, and the results can last you many months. The main downside of skin tightening is that you will need to schedule repeat appointments to maintain results. And again, this treatment is really helpful with people who want to fix mild or moderate skin issues.

How Can You Protect Your Skin Tightening Results?

After your skin tightening procedure, your doctor may recommend that you temporarily avoid certain activities, like swimming, since this can dry out your skin. Your skin may be tender after this procedure, so temporarily avoiding exfoliation and other intense skin facials are also recommended. You can extend your results by staying hydrated and avoiding sun exposure. Too much sun exposure can actually damage elastin and collagen proteins, so be sure to use sunscreen when out and about. At night, you may want to use silicone pads to protect your skin, prevent wrinkles, and improve blood flow.

Reach out to a doctor in your area today to learn more about cosmetic skin tightening treatments

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