Skin Tightening - Energy Assisted

              

AKA Laser Skin Tightening

What is Energy Assisted Skin Tightening?
Non-invasive and minimally invasive skin tightening procedures have become big business in the aesthetics world over the past few years, as people strive to achieve the effects of a facelift without going under the knife.

Most of these procedures can also be used to tighten skin on the body. Generally, a machine is used to deliver energy to the skin, in the form of laser, radiofrequency or ultrasound.

This causes the collagen and elastin beneath the surface of the skin to constrict, creating a tightening effect.

Who is suitable for Energy Assisted Skin Tightening?
An experienced and reputable practitioner will exercise careful patient selection because these treatments aren’t cheap and are only really suited to patients with mild skin sagging, otherwise you could be just throwing your money away – if your problem is more severe, you would do well to consider a full Facelift or one of the treatments involved in a Body Lift.

You would need to have a full consultation with a medical practitioner to find out whether you are a suitable candidate for one of these procedures.

What’s Energy Assisted Skin Tightening like?
Generally, these procedures differ only in the type of energy that is used to tighten the skin, although FaceTite and BodyTite are slightly more invasive techniques, which are said to deliver a more substantial tightening effect.

In the totally non-invasive category, which includes radiofrequency treatments like Thermage – which can be used on both face and body – and Pellevé, and ultrasound treatments like Ulthera, a handpiece is held to your skin, which delivers the energy. Thermage is said to be a moderately uncomfortable treatment, but both Pellevé and Ulthera – both of which can only be used for facial skin tightening – are painless, with just a mild warm sensation reported.

BodyTite and FaceTite are two different applications from the same machine. BodyTite uses aspiration to remove fat at the same time as using radiofrequency energy to tighten the skin (for more information, see Fat Removal – Energy Assisted).

FaceTite doesn’t use aspiration, as there is generally not enough fat in the face to remove via liposuction, but an incision is made, through which a cannula is inserted.

As well as helping to focus the delivery of the radiofrequency energy, the actual process of breaking the skin and disturbing the cells underneath helps to stimulate the body’s wound- healing mechanism, speeding up the production of new collagen and enhancing the tightening effect.

What happens after Energy Assisted Skin Tightening?
Thermage, Ulthera and Pellevé all market themselves on the basis of having no downtime. The most you will have is a small amount of redness post procedure, which can easily be covered with Mineral Make-Up.

Although there may be some noticeable lift immediately after treatment, it can take up to six months for the full effects to be seen and you may need to return for further treatment.

BodyTite and FaceTite may produce a small amount of downtime, but you can usually resume normal activities fairly quickly after treatment. Results can be seen immediately, but will continue to improve over a period of months.

Will I have a scar after Energy Assisted Skin Tightening?
It is unlikely that any of these procedures will produce a scar.

Cost
Depending on the size of the area to be treated and which method you go for, energy- assisted skin tightening can cost anything from £300 up to £5,000.

Types of Skin Tightening - Energy Assisted:
> FaceTight      > Thermage
> Pelleve         > Ulthera

Plastic Surgeon
Cosmetic Doctor
Cosmetic Dermatologist