Maintaining firm, toned and youthful looking skin is difficult as you get older because the body’s natural collagen production cycle slows down over the years. Without enough collagen and elastin, the skin appears thinner and may even look like it’s sagging – it’s also at risk for developing wrinkles and stretch marks.
Fortunately, there are several cosmetic procedures that can tighten and tone up the skin, increase collagen production and help you maintain a youthful look. Here are just five of the most innovative skin firming and toning procedures available:
#1: Thermage Skin Tightening Procedures
The
Thermage skin firming procedure is designed to increase collagen production and make the skin stronger and more resilient. The handpiece delivers radiofrequency waves deep into the dermal layer to heat up the tissues. This heat triggers the collagen production process and the ski appears more tightened and toned within a few weeks. Thermage does last longer than cosmetic fillers and can help to improve skin elasticity.
#2: VelaShape
If you’re looking for a full body skin tightening treatment,
VelaShape could be the answer. This procedure is designed to reduce inches while firming and tightening the skin. It is a popular choice for body shaping after liposuction or after losing weight, allowing the skin to become stronger, more resilient and more toned. This procedure makes use of heat energy and light waves to cause a tissue contraction.
#3: Titan Skin Tightening Treatments
Titan skin tightening treatments make use of infrared light to cause a contraction of the skin tissues and trigger the collagen production process. Titan delivers a safe amount of infrared light energy directly below the skin’s surface and causes the collagen to contract. After a few days and weeks, collagen production continues at a higher-than-average rate, leaving the skin looking firmer and more toned. Results are progressive, but most people notice a difference in the tone and texture of their skin within a few weeks.
#4: Refirme
Refirme is another procedure that makes use of laser energy to contract the skin tissues. It is used primarily to treat wrinkles and reduce the appearance of fin lines. Refirme technology makes use of bi-polar radio frequency waves to tighten and tone up the skin and gently lift the skin so that it appears more youthful. This firming treatment is used primarily for facial treatments.
#5: SkinTyte
SkinTyte is an alternative to the Titan skin tightening procedure and is designed to firm and tighten the skin on any part of the body. This procedure also delivers infrared energy deep into the dermal layer, and triggers the collagen production process. There is no need for a topical anesthetic, and results are visible within a few days and weeks after treatment.
A series of skin tightening treatments is often needed to achieve noticeable results, so you may need to book a package of treatments over the course of a few weeks or months. Learn more about
skin rejuvenation treatments in our information guide, or consult with a
cosmetic surgeon in your area to find out if you may be a good candidate for any of these treatments.
Published: 12/11/2009, Last Updated: 12/11/2009
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics obtained from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.