ABOUT SKIN TIGHTENING
Skin tightening stimulates collagen in the skin. This is ideal for patients with mild skin laxity or for those wanting to help address premature ageing. It combines different lasers to selectively heat dermal and epidermal layers of the skin. This treatment works well on the lower face and may be used on all areas of the body. There is no downtime with this treatment.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Skin tightening uses our Fotona SP Dynamis Pro, using two separate laser treatments in one
PIANO-Nd:YAG 1064 nm and SMOOTH- ErYAG 2964nm.
PIANO mode uses a longer pulse that works to stimulate deeper collagen remodelling and SMOOTH mode using non-ablative Er:YAG which creates a topical non-ablative pulse to contract and lightly vaporises the outer layer of dead skin, creating a fresh canvas without any downtime or skin peeling.
Skin Tightening is a popular treatment as there is little/no downtime with great instant and long term results. Particularly fine areas with mild skin laxity such as around the eyes and the lower third of the face respond very well to Skin Tightening. Tightening is often combined with other modalities such as GREEN TONING for pigmentation correction and FRACTIONAL for patients wanting extra rejuvenation.
The dual wavelengths NdYAG and ErYAG work by topically contracting the tissue and also penetrating to the dermis, stimulating collagen and elastin production. The result is a complete approach to mild skin laxity and rejuvenation.
Skin tightening treatments are designed to provide improvement in skin tone, wrinkles and laxity, with minimal patient discomfort.
Complications from this treatment are rare although it is normal to experience some erythema (redness) and swelling for a few hours post treatment. Tightening laser treatments are usually painless since the epidermis does not reach the high temperatures experienced with shorter pulses and the skin is not broken as with ablative treatments. This treatment is safe to perform on darker and Asian skin types.
Everyone can benefit from skin tightening as it works by stimulating blood flow and growth factors which all help to tone and condition the skin, resulting in healthy tissue. The tightening effects are best seen in younger skin with mild to moderate signs of ageing and sagging.
The tightening effects are limited by the skins ability to regenerate, therefore patients with excess thickening, sagging, fat or loose skin respond better to more intensive treatments or surgical procedures.
Skin tightening laser is safe to perform on all skin types including darker and Asian skins.
Anyone with moderate-severe laxity won’t receive significant tightening and lifting results, however this can still be a great treatment for overall skin health. Results are dependant on your skin’s ability to produce more collagen and elastin, therefore healthy skins with mild laxity experience more tightening and lifting following this treatment.
If the laxity is too severe, laser tightening won’t deliver the best results and this is where we would often recommend an alternate modality such as a surgical facial rejuvenation. For heavily sun-damaged, thickened or pigmented skin, fractionated laser can be used in conjunction with skin tightening to create a TwinLight laser treatment- designed for total skin rejuvenation as well as skin tightening. Alternatively, TCA peels may be more beneficial. Skin tightening works well in conjunction with anti-wrinkle injectables and for patients recovering from facial surgery.
Realistic expectations are required. For anyone who we believe won’t achieve the results they are desiring, we may recommend an alternate treatment such as more intensive rejuvenation, injectables or surgical options.
The number of treatment sessions required may vary from person to person and will depend on skin laxity. For a standard skin tightening patient with mild laxity, we would normally recommend three treatments, spaced four weeks apart and a follow-up treatment every quarter to maintain the results.
Skin tightening does not result in any significant downtime. With higher intensity treatments the skin may stay red with slight swelling for up to 24-48 hours afterward the treatment but there is no flaking or shedding. This can be easily covered with mineral make-up.
Most areas of skin can be treated but most commonly and effectively the neck and face. We are also able to treat areas that may have increased laxity due to weight loss or childbirth, eg. arms, stomach or thighs. For larger areas with greater skin laxity, more treatments may be required. We also commonly perform this treatment pre/post surgery to areas such as the breast and stomach.
For facial and neck skin tightening we recommend topical medical homecare to ensure the best result possible from the laser treatment and to help prevent any complications. One of our specialist clinicians will assess your skin prior to treatment and devise a plan as required.
This is a non-surgical option and is not going to give the same result as a facelift or abdominoplasty; whilst we are able to create a marked improvement in the tone of the skin, clients must remain realistic with the types of results that they are likely to achieve. At Body Recon we will always aim to give you an honest opinion on what treatment option is best for you. In cases where we feel that the laser alone will not be able to achieve the result that you are after then we will recommend that you make an appointment either with one of our cosmetic nurses to discuss possible injectable options or with our plastic surgeon, Dr Richard Rahdon, to discuss surgical options.
The laser works by heating and contracting tissue fibres and a smoothing and plumping of the skin will be noticed almost immediately. However, the protein remodelling process takes several months to complete and the result will continue to improve over this time. Protein fibres are strengthened for long-term tightening, rendering smoother, tighter skin. Skin tightening laser also works very well with anti-wrinkle injectables and dermal fillers.
Skin Tightening is performed at our Cosmetic Clinic. The skin is thoroughly cleaned and then the laser treatment begins. Patients often find the treatment, quite relaxing, experiencing warmth and heat, not pain. Following the treatment, a post care balm is applied.
Yes, the treatment is safe, effective and has no adverse effects. The treatment requires a thermal response in order to achieve protein stimulation and the skin colour will determine how intense the treatment can be. Fairer skin poses less risk for pigmentation concerns (hyper/hypopigmentation) and is therefore able to be treated at higher settings whereas darker skin requires lower settings.
Prep and post care is key with all of the treatments we provide at Body Recon. Your technician will be able to advise you on a topical homecare regimen. It is extremely important to care for your skin post treatment as it may be more sensitive initially after laser skin tightening. You will be provided with a post-care information sheet and it is important to follow these instructions to ensure that the skin is well cared for and protected at all times. General guidelines initially are to avoid any direct sun exposure, to apply only prescribed topical homecare, to avoid exercise for 24 hours and to ensure the skin remains clean and protected. Sun avoidance is imperative, as the skin will be slightly photosensitised initially after treatment.
A standard neck and décolletage treatment is $450. Body skin tightening is determined by treatment area size but starts from $300.
Laser skin tightening is a great treatment for clients suffering from mild-moderate skin laxity who require a treatment with no downtime. It can be suitable for a range of skin types and conditions. For skin that is thickened or pigmented, a TwinLight laser or 4D with the incorporation of fractionated laser resurfacing may be a better option.
For patients with more severe sagging, a surgical option may be advisable.
Again, it really is about treating the individual, so what’s right for your mum, best friend or sister might not be right for you. Our specialists will be able to accurately determine what treatment is right for YOU.
- We are able to offer the most advanced, cutting-edge technology for skin rejuvenation. We are the first in Australia to offer this great treatment.
- We have a wide range of lasers to choose from which means that we are able to select the most suitable laser treatment for you.
- All of our technicians have attended a laser safety training course and are highly skilled and knowledgeable in skin rejuvenation procedures.
- All treatments at Body Recon Cosmetic Clinic are overseen by Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Richard Rahdon.
- Our philosophy is to treat the individual – your skin rejuvenation treatment plan will be unique to you and we are able to combine many different modalities into each treatment session to maximise your results.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Interested in learning more? Book a consultation today.