Would you love to reverse some aging signs such as sagging skin? A minimally invasive procedure with little to no downtime could do this for you. We're talking about laser skin tightening. This is a cosmetic skin rejuvenation treatment that can firm sagging skin to give you tighter skin. Laser skin resurfacing can also reduce fine lines for dramatically smoother skin. The result will be younger looking skin that defies age. Best of all, this can be accomplished with a non surgical procedure that works from within by stimulating new collagen production.
Please keep reading to learn everything there is to know about laser treatments for skin tightening, including how they work, what they involve, results, risks, costs, and more.
What is laser skin tightening?
Laser skin tightening is an FDA approved treatment for the reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity. It can restore a firmer, more youthful appearance to skin in most parts of the body.
As early as your 30s, your body starts making less collagen and elastin. These are two proteins that give your skin its firm, plump, toned appearance. As a result, with age, you develop skin laxity, fine lines and wrinkles, rough skin texture, and uneven skin tone. This is most noticeable in facial skin but also occurs elsewhere in the body. What a non-surgical skin tightening laser does is it delivers targeted heat energy to the deeper layers of your skin to stimulate collagen and elastin production. This leads to a gradual improvement in skin laxity and smoothness in the treated skin.
Laser skin tightening is a non invasive treatment that uses a laser (infrared light) to tighten skin. There is noticeable improvement in the skin immediately after the laser skin resurfacing treatment. The results are often quite dramatic. Not only is laser skin tightening effective, there is little to no downtime. This makes it a popular choice among all the skin tightening options.
It is worth noting, however, that the skin tightening occurs gradually over a few months after treatment. Also, most people need multiple treatments to get optimal results.
Does laser skin tightening work on loose skin?
Laser resurfacing tightens skin better than most other treatments. Not only does it address skin laxity and give you firm skin, it also diminishes other skin concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, age spots, acne scars, and sun damage. This treatment also gives some of the fastest and longest lasting results. It can be used on facial skin as well as other parts of the body. It is suitable for every skin type.
The tradeoff is that laser skin tightening does not remove excess skin or address deep wrinkles. For these problems, you may need surgical procedures or dermal fillers. Also, there may be more downtime than some other types of treatments. The risk of side effects is also slightly higher.
Laser Skin Tightening Systems
Laser skin tightening systems use minimally invasive technologies to effectively rejuvenate all skin types with a firmer, tighter, more youthful appearance with fewer wrinkles. There are various skin tightening lasers available, but all of them work on same basic principle of stimulating collagen. The laser gently heats the deeper tissue beneath, while keeping the outer layer of the patient's skin cool. This ensures minimal discomfort. The heat causes microscopic damage, which will stimulate collagen production over time. More collagen makes the skin appear younger, smoother, and tighter.
Which laser is best for skin tightening?
Lasers can treat loose skin on the face and other parts of the body. They all work by increasing collagen production. However, not all lasers are the same. Some lasers are good for the undereye area while others are good for the stomach and thighs. Yet others are used for laser hair removal. Your dermatologist or aesthetic provider can help you decide on the most effective laser skin tightening treatment for you, depending on your skin concerns.
Who is a candidate for laser skin tightening?
Laser treatment works best for people in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. Anyone who wants to tighten skin and has mild to moderate skin laxity is a good candidate for laser skin tightening. Those with advanced laxity of the skin may need more invasive procedures, such as plastic surgery (facelift or neck lift) to get the desired results. Sometimes, lasers are used to destroy certain types of skin cancer as well.
What are the target areas for a laser skin tightening procedure?
Laser skin tightening treatment can be one on most parts of the body where there is loose skin. It is frequently done on the face, jawline, neck, and stomach.
Preparing for laser skin tightening treatment
Your dermatologist or aesthetic provider will see you in consultation to determine if you can benefit from laser skin tightening. There is no specific preparation needed before a laser treatment, other than wearing sunscreen daily, especially if you're having the treatment done on your face or neck. You should also avoid chemical peels and other such treatments for about a month prior. Arrive for your appointment with clean skin, free of any makeup or skincare products.
What happens during laser skin tightening?
A laser skin tightening procedure is done in the office by a cosmetic dermatologist. The treatment takes 30-90 minutes to perform, depending on the part of the body being treated. The provider will apply a topical anesthetic (numbing cream) on your skin and give you protective eyeglasses to wear. If you have low pain tolerance, you can ask for pain medication before the treatment. Your dermatologist will then apply the non-ablative laser energy to your skin with a handpiece. Most patients say the laser resurfacing treatment feels like a hot stone massage.
Laser Skin Tightening Recovery
No cuts or incisions are made during laser skin tightening treatment. As a result, there is minimal to no downtime. Most people can return to normal activities and work right away. The side effects of non ablative laser treatments are minimal. There can, however, be minor swelling and redness in the treatment area. These usually resolve naturally within a few hours to a day. In rare cases, there can be infection, scarring, or changes in skin color.
How long do laser skin tightening results last?
You will see some improvement in your skin after the first session. The full benefits of the treatment will take 3-6 months to appear, with gradual increase in collagen and elastin production. You will get the best results after 2-6 sessions (spaced about 4 weeks apart), with more pronounced improvement after each subsequent session. The results of laser skin tightening are long-lasting but not permanent. With proper skincare, they can last for up to 3 years. You will need periodic maintenance treatments, however.
Laser Skin Tightening Risks
Laser skin tightening is quite safe when performed by a highly trained skincare professional. No anesthesia is needed and no cuts are made in the skin. This greatly reduces the risks from the procedure compared to a surgical facelift or other types of plastic surgery.
How much does laser skin tightening cost?
On average, one session of laser skin tightening costs $600 to $1,000. Keep in mind that you will likely need 2-6 sessions for the best results. The cost of your laser treatments will also depend on the skill level of your provider, your geographical location, and the treatment area. Laser skin tightening is an elective cosmetic procedure and is not covered by health insurance.
Other Skin Tightening Procedures
There are other skin tightening methods besides laser treatments, some of which use ultrasound technology and others that use radiofrequency (RF) energy. They are briefly described below.
Ultrasound skin tightening
This is a type of non-invasive, non-surgical skin tightening treatment that uses ultrasound energy. It works well for early signs of aging on the face, neck, and chest in all skin types. The treatment takes 30-90 minutes to perform. There is very little downtime and no recovery time. The cost of ultrasound skin tightening ranges from $500 to $6,000 depending on the size of the treated area.
Radiofrequency skin tightening
This is a skin tightening treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to heat the skin. It is safe for all skin tones. The office procedure is associated with very little discomfort and no downtime. The cost of RF skin tightening ranges from $600 to $1,000. RF can be combined with other technologies like microneedling or IPL (intense pulsed light). These hybrid skin tightening treatment options go below the superficial layers of skin, allowing the heat to penetrate the deep layers.
Laser Skin Tightening FAQs
Are laser skin tightening treatments painful?
Non-ablative laser treatments cause only slight discomfort from the heat. The procedure is virtually painless for most patients and may even be enjoyable, like a hot stone massage.
How many laser treatments will I need?
Most people need multiple treatment sessions spaced around 4 weeks apart. Your doctor will examine your skin and develop a customized treatment plan for you.
Can you get a laser skin tightening treatment in your 20s?
Some people get laser skin tightening done in their 20s as a preventive measure. The skin does not usually need tightening at this age but you can get ahead of potential sagging skin by getting a laser treatment. This can help build collagen in the skin, keep you looking younger for longer, and postpone the need for surgical lifting later in life.
How to find a cosmetic dermatologist
The MeTime app makes it easy to find a provider for laser skin tightening. You can chat with skin rejuvenation experts, share photos, do a video consultation, and get quotes. And when you're ready to book an office appointment, you can even pay securely through the app for your consultation or procedure. Download the MeTime app today and take the first step towards more beautiful skin.
