Wrinkles, sagging skin, and crepey skin are all normal indicators of aging. Skin loses its ability to produce elastin and collagen, which contribute to suppleness and firmness.
In recent years, a variety of non-invasive treatments, including radiofrequency, ultrasound, and lasers, have been developed to help tighten the skin on your face or elsewhere in your body. Even though they are nonsurgical treatments, they should only be delivered by a qualified practitioner under the supervision of a doctor.
What Are Skin Tightening Procedures?
The devices used in the following treatments employ concentrated energy to heat deeper layers of your skin and induce the synthesis of collagen and elastin.
Ultrasound is used to tighten the skin. A micro-focused ultrasound delivers heat deep into your skin, up to 5 millimeters below the surface. This can tighten and elevate the skin on your face, neck, and upper chest, reducing the visibility of wrinkles.
The outcomes of your ultrasound therapy may take up to 6 months to appear, although they may be visible after just one treatment.
Treatment Using Radiofrequency (RF). Similar to ultrasonic skin tightening, a portable device is utilized to infuse heat into your skin to induce collagen growth. In contrast to ultrasound, radiofrequency targets the epidermis, or outer layer of your skin. The FDA has approved it for use on the face, neck, body, and hands. RF treatments can be used with micro-needling to treat deeper layers of skin. In any case, results materialize gradually.
Although many people report seeing results after just one RF treatment, it may take two to six treatments to achieve the desired results. Results from the right skincare routine might last up to three years.
Laser Treatment. Handheld lasers are used to send heat deep into the skin, breaking through the epidermis to reach the underlying dermis. Laser treatments for the skin of the belly and upper arms have been demonstrated to be quite beneficial. The vast majority of patients are subjected to three to five treatments.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). Light of various wavelengths is delivered to your skin’s deep layers. In the majority of cases, several treatments are required.
IPL is commonly used with radiofrequency. The doctor can use RF treatment to target deeper layers of your skin. IPL allows them to treat a larger region of skin and a broader spectrum of skin diseases. IPL treatments are frequently not recommended for those with tanned or darker skin.
Negative Effects
All of these treatments are performed in a doctor’s office and should take no more than an hour. You should be able to resume normal activities the next day and can reduce minimal discomfort with over-the-counter pain medicines. Their common side effects include:
- Redness
- Numbness
- Bruising
- Discomfort
Alternative Wrinkle Treatments
There are non-surgical alternatives to the medicines outlined above. You might wish to try lotions or dermal injections.
Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botulinum Toxin). When injected into certain muscles, Botox inhibits them from contracting. This makes your skin seem smoother. The effects might take up to three days to show and can last for months.
Fillers Used In Soft Tissues. These injections contain fat, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. They plump your skin and smooth out wrinkles. The consequences are just transient.
Topicals. Topical lotions and ointments may provide very small advantages. Look for products containing retinoids such as adapalene, tazarotene, or tretinoin for the best results. While it may take many months, many people see a decrease in fine lines and wrinkles after using the product consistently.
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and niacinamide are two other substances that may aid in the treatment or prevention of wrinkles.
- Green tea extracts
- Peptides
- Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)
Finally, using a moisturizer on your skin might help it fill out and seem younger. Daily use of sunscreen will also help you avoid skin damage.
