Things to Consider Before Skin Tightening

Aging is an inevitable natural process that often causes undesirable side effects like lax skin and the appearance of lines and wrinkles. While you can’t prevent aging, procedures like skin tightening can counteract its effects. Today, skin tightening Memphis doesn’t mean surgery; various non-surgical methods have been developed to help you achieve younger-looking skin. Although these treatments are non-surgical, they should only be performed by a licensed professional or under a doctor’s supervision. Here are other things you should know before non-surgical skin tightening.


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Understand your options

Non-surgical skin tightening procedures use devices to deliver target energy to heat the tissues, causing an immune response that stimulates elastin and; collagen production. The various types of non-surgical skin tightening procedures include:

  • Ultherapy

Ultherapy or ultrasound skin tightening uses ultrasound energy with visualization to heat the deeper layers of your skin. The procedure uses a micro-focused ultrasound device that sends heat up to 5milimeteres beneath the skin surface. Your body produces more collagen and elastin, resulting in tauter skin on your face, neck, and upper chest. The procedure can also help minimize the appearance of mild to moderate wrinkles. Most of the time, people see a noticeable difference after only one treatment, but they can take up to six months to appear.

  • Radiofrequency therapy

RF skin tightening or radiofrequency therapy uses a handheld device to deliver radiofrequency energy into the tissues beneath your skin’s epidermis. The energy generates heat, triggering the formation of new fibrous tissue and stimulating collagen production. Providers use this procedure to treat the face, neck, hands, and body. The procedure can also be combined with other energies or aesthetic treatments like microneedling to offer additional benefits. Whether used as a sole procedure or in combination with others, results occur gradually.

Although many people notice some skin improvements from only one RF treatment, it may take two to six weeks for the full effects to kick in. Results are not permanent, but they can last up to three years with the proper skincare regimen.

  • Intense Pulsed Light

Intense Pulsed Light delivers multiple wavelengths of light into your skin to treat more extensive skin. This skin tightening treatment is often combined with radiofrequency to target deep skin layers. IPL treatment is safe but usually not recommended for individuals with tanned or darker skin.

  • Laser treatment

For this procedure, providers use handheld lasers to send heat deep into the skin, triggering elastin and collagen production. Laser treatment is particularly effective on the upper arms and belly skin, but it can be used on nearly all body areas. Usually, providers recommend multiple treatments, about three to five sessions, to achieve optimal results.

Possible side effects

All procedures are offered on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home right after the process. They take place in a doctor’s office and last for not more than an hour. Common side effects after non-surgical skin tightening include redness, tenderness, numbness, and bruising. These side effects are usually mild and often improve after several hours; over-the-counter painkillers can help treat mild discomfort.

Book an appointment with your provider at A Beautiful You Medical Spa to establish a suitable skin tightening procedure for you.