As you age, your skin naturally loses some of its elasticity and firmness that keeps you feeling youthful and vibrant. This can lead to insecurity, lower self-esteem, and a negative self-image.
The good news is that skin tightening treatments are becoming much more widely accessible, and you can feel like a better version of yourself in no time at all. Skin tightening is a cosmetic technique to restore the elasticity and youthful appearance of your skin.
And it’s not just limited to your face. You can get skin tightening treatments almost anywhere that makes you feel uncomfortable. If you’re thinking about getting one of these procedures done, here are some important things to know ahead of time.
Types of Skin Tightening Procedures
You have many different options when it comes to skin tightening, and most of them are minimally invasive and require very little recovery time. Here are a few of the most popular.
BOTOX Injections
Perhaps one of the most well known skin tightening treatments, and plastic surgery techniques in general, are Botox injections. Every famous celebrity and model out in LA has gotten Botox done, and you can join them!
Botox is short for botulinum toxin, which is a chemical that is injected into the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It works by contracting your muscles in the injected area, temporarily relaxing the muscles that cause facial wrinkles.
Botox is most commonly used on the forehead or around the eyes. It is not generally used in other areas of the body for cosmetic purposes.
The entire procedure doesn’t take longer than thirty minutes and you don’t even need anesthesia. While some mild discomfort might persist for a day or two after treatment, you’ll be able to return to daily activities in no time at all.
Keep in mind that Botox is only temporary and you’d need to return to your plastic surgeon for subsequent injections.
Radiofrequency (Thermi)
If you’re looking for tighter skin but injections aren’t your style, then radiofrequency skin tightening might be just the thing for you! Thermi is a popular skin tightening treatment that uses radiofrequency technology to stimulate the production of collagen, a structural protein that aids in your skin’s elasticity.
Your body produces collagen on its own, but as you age, you start to make much less. Thermi stimulates the production of this protein by producing a skin firming effect through heat.
Additionally, the device heats subdermal fat to a point beyond repair without damaging the external skin structures. Over time, your body’s lymphatic system will draw away the fat, resulting in a little bit of fat loss in addition to the skin tightening benefits.
While certain Thermi treatments can be done on the face, it can also be used on other areas of the body such as your stomach or thighs to tighten your skin and improve your body contour.
Thermi won’t break contact with your skin and has a very minimal recovery process. It doesn’t hurt, and the effects can be long lasting as long as you work to maintain your skin following the treatment.
Skin Tightening vs. Liposuction
Many people wrongly assume that liposuction is also a form of skin tightening. However, the liposuction technique is actually a fat reduction procedure that may result in tighter looking skin following the procedure.
Liposuction uses small incisions to allow plastic surgeons to dislodge and remove excess fat. Once the fat is removed, the skin may “snap” into place and allow for a smoother, more firm contour on your body.
However, large fat deposits may stretch the skin to a point where it will not shape to your body, resulting in sagging skin post-operation. This may then require a skin removal procedure or a skin tightening procedure to get your body closer to your desired appearance.
What Makes a Good Candidate for Skin Tightening?
Every patient has a unique story, and there are many factors to take into consideration when assessing whether or not a skin tightening treatment might be right for you. In general, a good candidate for skin tightening is someone who:
Has a positive and realistic expectation for the outcome of the procedure.
Is in good health.
Does not have a life-threatening medical condition.
Is at a stable bodyweight.
Is committed to an active lifestyle following treatment.
Is Skin Tightening Effective?
Before getting a plastic surgery procedure, it is normal to feel nervous, scared, or concerned.
First things first, you want to make sure your plastic surgeon is certified by a major plastic surgery board, such as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. This means that your surgeon is experienced and knows what they’re doing, which can deliver more promising results.
One review found that radiofrequency skin tightening produced positive results in 96% of participants who had received a procedure, which is statistically significant.
Just keep in mind that the results may not be apparent right away. For one, swelling or irritations from Botox or radiofrequency tightening is possible, and you won’t be able to see your full results immediately.
Additionally, natural changes in your body size and shape can alter the way your procedure looks. In order to maintain the effectiveness of your skin tightening treatment for longer, it is important to stay active and eat a nutritional diet.
Benefits of Skin Tightening
Cosmetic surgery can give you a new lease on life, and skin tightening treatments are quick ways to help you get closer to looking and feeling your best.
There are plenty of benefits of skin tightening including:
Balanced mood.
More confidence.
Enhanced self-image.
More contoured features.
Positive outlook.
In some cases, more comfortable-fitting clothing.
If you’re ready to feel and see the benefits firsthand, we’d love to see you at our sunny office in Miami, Florida! PH-1 Miami is always looking to add new names to our book of clients. Click here to get started!
Risks of Skin Tightening
As with any medical procedure, there are some risks associated with skin tightening that you’ll want to know ahead of time.
The most important risk to understand is that the procedure may not look exactly as you had hoped, especially if bruising lasts longer than you had expected. You may need subsequent treatments to get closer to your desired appearance.
Common side effects of radiofrequency skin tightening or Botox injections include:
Swelling and redness
Bruising
Tingling
Soreness
Additionally, it is possible to experience burnt skin after radiofrequency procedures if not done correctly. As for Botox, your muscles may contract in certain areas of injection causing drooling, eye dryness, or droopy eyelids. These are normally not permanent and subside within a few hours or days after treatment.
What to Expect at a Skin Tightening Consult?
Before any plastic surgery procedure, you’ll need to meet with a plastic surgeon for a consultation. This ensures that you’re a good candidate for the procedure and helps to assess your general health ahead of time.
Your plastic surgeon will ask you a number of questions in regards to any past surgeries, goals for skin tightening, and any current medications you’re taking. It may be helpful to come in with some knowledge of your family medical history.
However, the main goal of a consultation is to alleviate any fears or concerns you still have about the procedure. It is normal to feel scared or nervous, and your plastic surgeon wants you to be able to leave feeling more confident and calm than you did when you walked in. Ask any and all questions that you may have.
In Conclusion
Fluctuations in weight and natural byproducts of aging can have an effect on your skin’s collagen levels, and therefore its elasticity. If wrinkles and fine lines are making you feel less than your best, then skin tightening procedures may be right for you.
Botox injections are a common tightening procedure to reduce the appearance of fine lines on the face. However, Thermi radiofrequency technology can achieve similar results on other areas of the body without need for injection.
Skin tightening is generally fast and recovery time is minimal. While there are risks of some side effects, most are only temporary and subside within a few days.
If you’re looking forward to restoring the youthful appearance of your skin, then PH-1 Miami is happy to add you to our list of satisfied clients. We’re proud to offer both Botox and Thermi procedures to help you achieve a more firm body contour without the need for invasive surgery.
Ready for a consultation? Click here to fill out our inquiry form and get one step closer to your best body ever.
Sources:
What You Need to Know About Aging Skin | Cleveland Clinic
Botox injections | The Mayo Clinic
Radiofrequency for the treatment of skin laxity: mith or truth | NCBI
