Would you like to tighten loose, sagging skin? Surgery is no longer your only solution, as there are non-surgical options like Ultherapy and Thermage that can give you the tighter skin you desire. However, if you are trying a non-invasive skin tightening treatment for the first time, you may be wondering if they are really effective. So let’s take a look at how these treatments work.

Ultherapy for tighter skin

If you’re interested in tightening loose facial skin, a facelift isn’t your only solution. Ultherapy is a non-invasive facial rejuvenation treatment that uses focused ultrasound energy to lift and tighten sagging skin on the face. It also improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the neck and décolletage (chest area). Ultherapy is a completely non-surgical treatment so it requires no anesthesia or incisions.

How Ultherapy skin tightening works

The ultrasound energy penetrates down to the deep structural support layers below the skin, which is the area normally addressed during surgery. The energy tightens the skin, and stimulates the production of collagen.

Collagen is a natural protein found in the skin and connective tissue that keeps the skin firm and elastic. Loose, sagging skin is often the result of age-related collagen loss. Ultherapy triggers the skin’s repair process resulting in the creation of new collagen, which makes the skin look refreshed and more youthful.

Ultherapy incorporates ultrasound imaging, which allows doctors to see the layers of tissues being targeted during treatment, so that they can deposit the energy where it’s most helpful.

A full facial treatment with Ultherapy takes about 45-60 minutes to complete. It typically takes just one Ultherapy treatment to achieve tighter, younger-looking skin.

What to expect after treatment

There is no downtime after Ultherapy, so patients can resume their normal activities immediately after the procedure. There is a gradual tightening and lifting of the skin during the first 3 months after treatment, but improvements may continue for up to 6 months. Since Ultherapy is able to reach deep into the foundation layers of the skin it can provide very dramatic skin tightening. The results of Ultherapy generally last for approximately 2 years.

Thermage for tighter skin

Thermage is another very effective non-invasive skin tightening treatment that firms loose, sagging skin using radiofrequency (RF) energy. Thermage tightens skin on the face and body, and is frequently used to lift and tighten cheeks and jowls, and to firm the arms, abdomen, and thighs. People are also very interested in having Thermage in the brow area to lift and firm sagging brows.

Thermage is a great option for middle-aged individuals wanting to address mild to moderate skin laxity.

How Thermage skin tightening works

The handheld device emits waves of RF energy that heats the deep layers of the skin, while cooling the surface. The heat tightens the existing collagen fibers, making the skin smoother. It also stimulates the production of new collagen beneath the surface of the skin in the treatment area, and this further helps to tighten the skin in the following months.

Depending on the area of the body being treated, Thermage can take 60-90 minutes to complete. It typically takes one treatment to achieve the desired results. Thermage is virtually painless, and there is no downtime.

What to expect after treatment

Patients will notice the skin becoming tighter and smoother within a few days of treatment, and improvements will continue for up to 6 months, as the skin produces new collagen. There will also be a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The effects of Thermage can last up to 24 months.

Both Ultherapy and Thermage are appealing options for people that have loose skin that are not quite ready for surgery, or think surgery may be too drastic.

For optimal results, some patients may need to combine Ultherapy with other facial rejuvenation treatments such as dermal fillers or laser therapy. The best combination of treatments will depend on the unique needs of the patient.

Are you ready to tighten loose skin?

If you are in the Washington, D.C. area, contact Capital Laser & Skin Care, Chevy Chase, MD for more information.

Call (301) 234-7669 today to schedule a consultation.