Over time, your skin begins to show signs of aging. You develop fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, age spots, and sagging skin. This happens because as you grow older, your body makes less collagen and elastin. These are two essential skin proteins that give the skin its tightness, firmness, and smoothness. The result is, with age, you develop loose skin, wrinkles, and a crepey appearance on the face, neck, and hands.
There are numerous skin rejuvenation options that can correct these problems. Invasive treatments like a facelift and neck lift surgery can produce dramatic and long-lasting results. However, if you don't want to undergo a major surgery, a cosmetic procedure called radiofrequency skin tightening might do the trick.
Please continue reading to learn all about RF skin tightening - what it is, how it works, and whether it is safe. Find out how radiofrequency facial rejuvenation can turn back the clock and help you look years younger without surgery.
What are radiofrequency waves?
To understand how radiofrequency skin tightening treatments work, we need to first understand radiofrequency waves. RF waves are a type of radiation and include radio waves. RF radiation releases energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. However, unlike gamma rays and X-rays which are high-energy radiation, RF waves are low-energy. In fact, the energy used during RF skin tightening is 1 billion times lower than the energy in X-rays. This makes radiofrequency facial rejuvenation and RF treatments on the body very safe and effective.
What is radiofrequency skin tightening?
Radiofrequency skin tightening or RF therapy is a non-surgical, non-invasive method of skin rejuvenation. The treatment involves using heat generated by RF waves to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the deep layers of the skin.
As noted, collagen is a protein that provides support to the skin and gives it its firmness. Skin laxity usually starts occurring in the mid-3os to mid-40s when collagen synthesis starts declining. RF energy fights sagging skin by stimulating collagen production. The increase in collagen and elastin develops gradually after the treatment. It leads to tightening skin from within. In this way, an RF device accomplishes nonsurgical tightening.
RF skin tightening is available under various brand names such as Thermage, Thermi, Thermalift, Profound RF, Exilis, and others.
Radiofrequency treatments for skin laxity: Do they work?
Radiofrequency skin tightening technology heats the deep layer of skin to 50-75°C or 122-167°F. Studies have shown that any temperature over 46°C or 115°F for more than 3 minutes causes the body to experience heat shock. This controlled damage stimulates the body's natural healing processes. As a result, RF skin tightening stimulates collagen production to heal the damage.
Benefits of radiofrequency facials
The two key benefits of radiofrequency skin tightening are reducing fine lines and wrinkles and reducing sagging skin. However, besides giving you tighter skin with increased formation of collagen fibers, radiofrequency therapy can also fight against other skin concerns. This includes fighting sun damage in facial skin as well as reducing facial and neck laxity. The increased collagen and elastin also improve skin texture and tone for an overall more youthful appearance. Some people also get a reduction in fat after RF treatment, leading to a slimming of the face after the skin tightening treatments. Also, radiofrequency treatments can be combined with other procedures like noninvasive lower eyelid blepharoplasty to address aging lower eyelid skin.
Benefits of radiofrequency skin tightening on the body
RF skin tightening is not limited to facial skin alone. Besides treating facial skin laxity, it can also be done for body contouring. In other words, RF treatment can help to tighten loose skin and lift sagging skin in other parts of the body by stimulating collagen production. This type of tissue tightening is a far less invasive treatment than a plastic surgery like tummy tuck or thigh lift. It is also less invasive and longer-lasting than dermal fillers like hyaluronic acid.
Besides aesthetic treatments, radiofrequency therapy also has some medical applications. Volumetric radiofrequency treatments are performed to reduce tissue volume. Examples are the Somnoplasty® radiofrequency devices. These are used to perform minimally invasive procedures utilizing radiofrequency energy on the soft palate and tongue base. The treatment can lead to clinically significant improvements in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
How is RF skin tightening performed?
The doctor applies a nonablative radiofrequency device over the skin to perform the radiofrequency treatments for sagging skin. The wand generates radio waves that create heat for skin tightening. accomplishes facial rejuvenation with minimal to no discomfort and mild redness. The entire process takes 30-90 minutes.
Is radiofrequency treatment for sagging skin painful?
Radiofrequency skin tightening is a non surgical, non invasive treatment that does not involve any cuts in the skin. No anesthesia is needed. Doctors can treat facial sagging with RF skin tightening in the office. Most patients report that RF treatment is virtually painless. Many even describe the sensation from the radiofrequency tip to be like a soothing hot stone massage. People who have a very low pain tolerance may experience moderate pain from the heat generated by the radiofrequency device. This is usually manageable with pain medication.
How long is recovery after RF skin tightening?
Radiofrequency skin tightening is entirely noninvasive. As a result, there is no recovery time. You can go back to regular activities right away. In the first 24 hours after RF therapy, you might have some temporary redness, soreness, and numbness. These symptoms usually disappear quickly. Rarely, there can be some pain and blistering from the radio waves. If this occurs, please call your doctor for a clinical evaluation. Notably, the recovery after a nonsurgical or medical face lift is much easier and faster than a surgical facelift.
How long does radio frequency skin tightening last?
Radiofrequency skin tightening produces nonablative cutaneous remodeling. Meaning, it increases collagen fibers in the skin over time without causing serious damage to the skin surface. While you may see some improvement in your skin right away after radiofrequency skin tightening, the more significant changes in skin tightness will develop over the next few weeks to months. Your skin will keep getting tighter 3-6 months after the radiofrequency treatment. These effects will last for 1-2 years. While the results of RF therapy are not as long-lasting as plastic surgery, they last longer than dermal fillers.
The good news is that most people need only one RF skin tightening treatment to get the desired results. Those with advanced skin laxity may need more than one treatment to achieve the desired skin tightening. You can prolong your results of tighter skin by following an appropriate skin care regimen for your skin type.
Note that there are radiofrequency devices available on the market for use at home. For safety reasons, these radiofrequency skin tightening devices are not as powerful as the devices used in a doctor's office. Therefore, the results from these radio frequency home appliances are less noticeable and do not last.
Risks of radiofrequency skin tightening
For the most part, radiofrequency skin tightening is safe and effective when performed by a highly experienced skincare professional. This treatment is FDA approved for skin tightening work on the face as well as body contouring. Note that RF therapy can be dangerous in the wrong hands. The RF device can cause burns if used incorrectly.
Common side effects of radiofrequency skin tightening are temporary redness, swelling, and tingling. The mild redness and other symptoms usually go away in a few hours to one day. People with dark skin tones are at higher risk of side effects from RF treatments and laser treatments.
Cost of radiofrequency skin tightening
The cost of RF therapy depends on the treatment area. The average price ranges from $1,000 to $4,000. You can expect to pay around $2,500 for skin tightening on the stomach. In most cases, skin tightening is a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by health insurance.
Finding a provider for radiofrequency skin tightening treatments
If you are considering a radiofrequency skin tightening treatment for skin laxity, MeTime is your go-to app. You can connect with leading dermatologists and plastic surgeons in your area who will provide medical advice. Use the app to get answers to all your questions, share photos, and do a video consultation. Also get quotes for different types of cosmetic surgery, body contouring, and non surgical facial rejuvenation as well as RF combined therapies. Download the MeTime app today and find out if you are a candidate for RF therapy with Profound RF, Thermage, and others.
