Laser skin tightening helps patients look and feel younger by stimulating collagen regeneration under the surface of the skin. Wrinkles and fine lines on the forehead, around the eyes and mouth, and on the neck and body, fade away as new collagen fills in the skin’s surface blemishes.
There are no incisions or injections and, since the laser system cools the upper layers of skin while heating collagen down below, patients experience minimal discomfort.
Patients generally notice immediate results following a laser skin tightening session, and further tightening is achieved over the next several months as new collagen grows. Depending on the areas being treated, most patients require more than one skin tightening treatment to achieve maximum results, but the effects are permanent. Unlike having a face-lift, laser tightening of the skin requires no recovery and does not stretch the skin – it causes the skin to tighten.
Laser Skin Tightening Risks
There are few risks associated with skin tightening. Because it does not involve any surgical incisions, laser tightening of the skin is a considerably safer method for achieving younger-looking skin than face lift procedures, and it is less costly as well. Some patients experience temporary side effects including warm or sensitive skin, a change in skin color, and localized bruising.
Most skin tightening systems are equipped with efficient cooling mechanisms to reduce the chance of patient discomfort.
Laser Skin Tightening Recovery and Results
Skin tightening offers many of the same results as plastic surgery, without the lengthy recovery time.
While the procedure cannot remove excess skin, patients experience tightening of loose skin immediately, with less wrinkles in the treated area and a firmer, healthier-looking complexion.
Skin tightening requires no recovery after treatment because it is a non-surgical procedure that involves no incisions.
Laser Skin Tightening FAQ
What to expect after laser skin tightening treatment?
After skin tightening, results will be immediately visible, and the rejuvenating effects of increased collagen production will become markedly more noticeable in the months following treatment.
Immediately after treatment, patients may notice that the affected skin is red and slightly warm, but this usually resolves itself within a few hours. Since treated skin is especially delicate, most skin tightening practitioners recommend that patients protect the treated area with sunscreen for at least two weeks following their treatment.
Permanent negative side effects of skin tightening are very rare, and patients who experience prolonged redness, swelling, or any other disturbance to the treated skin are advised to contact their doctor.
Returning to work after skin tightening treatment?
There is no downtime necessary for skin tightening recovery; in fact, patients can return to work or play immediately following a laser skin tightening treatment session.
The most common visible side effect of skin tightening is mild redness, and this can be safely hidden with a little makeup and should resolve itself within hours of treatment.
Patients should not experience any pain during or following skin tightening; however, any discomfort can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications.
Typical skin tightening results are visible for up to two years, and many patients find that they can extend their optimal results with a few touch-up treatments.
After roughly two years, another series of treatments may be necessary to promote the growth of new collagen, which will be reabsorbed into the body over time.
