Skin Tightening – Options for Droopy Skin

Dehydrated, aged, worn out, and overall tired. No, we’re not talking about how you’re feeling after the holiday season, we’re talking about your skin. We all know loose and droopy skin can cause us to look older than we are, as well create self-confidence issues. While you may not be ready for a facelift, it doesn’t mean you can’t get your skin tight and taut with the latest skin tightening procedures. Whether it’s laser therapies or surgery, Aristocrat Plastic Surgery and MedAesthetics and world-renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Kevin Tehrani, has multiple surgical and non-surgical options that can help address and correct your skin tightening concerns and reduce your signs of aging.

How To Tighten Skin – Non-Surgical Skin Tightening Procedures

There are multiple products and procedures on the market today that promise to give you more youthful, tighter skin. However, before deciding which skin tightening procedure or treatment is right for you, it is important to have a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist discuss which options you would benefit from most.

Skin Tightening Creams

When we first start seeing the signs of aging, we immediately try to think of the fastest way to combat these fine lines and wrinkles. The place most people start is topical creams and lotions. No downtime, no trip to the doctor. Seems easy enough, right? While it may save you time to start with topicals, you may waste more money and time in the long run, if you’re looking for anything more than subtle changes.

The fact is, most topical creams simply aren’t biologically capable of repairing your collagen and elastin to produce visible results, with dermatologists saying that they simply can’t lift or repair sagging skin. Any results you may see or experience from creams are usually the result of moisture. Dehydrated skin can cause the skin to appear more loose and crepey. If you use a rich emollient cream, it may initially appear that your skin is tighter and firmer, however, this is due to the skin becoming more moisturized; essentially giving your parched skin a drink of water. These results are temporary and a moisturizer alone will not penetrate the skin deep enough to actually repair damage to the deeper layers. While moisturizers are always essential in your skincare regime, if you’re seeking real results, we have a multitude of non-surgical and surgical skin tightening procedures to address your specific concerns.

Laser Skin Tightening

• Ultherapy

  
  One of the many skin tightening options we offer at Aristocrat Plastic Surgery and MedAesthetics is Ultherapy. Using FDA approved ultrasound technology, we can tighten and tone your skin deeper than topicals alone; the outcome is firmer, tighter skin.

  Ultherapy uses ultrasound imaging to actually see deeper layers of the skin, so that treatment can be targeted on your exact problem areas for the best results. Collagen is stimulated using this procedure so your results will continue to improve over the months following your treatment, as your skin produces new collagen. If you have mild to moderate sagging of the skin on your face, you may be a candidate for Ultherapy.

  If you’ve had an ultrasound prior, you know that they aren’t painful and generally neither is Ultherapy. Few patients report experiencing mild discomfort during the procedure and topical numbing creams can be applied before treatment begins to minimize any discomfort you may experience. Ultherapy requires no downtime and patients can return to work or other commitments immediately following, although mild bruising and swelling is possible.

• BBL Laser

  
  BBL SkinTyte or Broadband Light therapy is one of your best options in fighting loose, sagging skin. Using advanced skin tightening technology, BBL uses light pulses to heat the skin and simultaneously cool the skin’s surface, helping stimulate collagen production. Most patients benefit from two to four treatments over two to four weeks apart, with results occurring for up to four months after treatment while skin cells turn over and produce more collagen. Final results are typically seen four to six months following treatment, but maintenance treatments may be necessary.

  BBL treatment is a quick, in-office procedure with no downtime or special skin care regime required post-treatment. A cooling gel is applied to the skin before treatment begins and the actual procedure lasts 30-60 minutes depending on the size of the site treated. Patients are able to return to their normal day-to-day routine immediately following treatment with some mild redness possibly occurring which will subside quickly.

Radio Frequency Skin Tightening

Another popular non-surgical skin tightening procedure that we offer at Aristocrat Plastic Surgery and MedAesthetics is radio frequency skin tightening. with a variety of procedures available to help you fight the signs of aging.

• ThermiSmooth

ThermiSmooth uses the first FDA aesthetic approved radiofrequency device to greatly diminish fine lines and wrinkles that occur around the eyes and mouth (think smoker’s lines or crow’s feet). Results will be seen immediately, although like most skin tightening procedures, collagen is stimulated and produced by the body following the procedure and results will continue for months following treatment.

With ThermiSmooth treatment, a gel will be applied to the area and a handpiece is passed over the area multiple times throughout treatment while slowly heating up. There is no downtime needed following the ThermiSmooth procedure and you should be able to return to your regular activities immediately following treatment.

• ThermiTight

ThermiTight is another non-surgical procedure used to tighten skin and help patients get rid of stubborn fat on the body or face, with results sometimes offering more dramatic skin tightening than Coolsculpting and SmartLipo. During the treatment, an anesthetic solution is used before a tiny SmartTip thermistor probe is placed under the skin to heat the skin’s layers to tighten lax skin. The procedure lasts less than an hour generally and minimal discomfort has been reported.

Once your treatment is finished, the area will be wrapped and you can resume regular activities the next day. Bruising, swelling and some discomfort is expected, but should only last a couple of days.

Please contact our offices in Manhattan or Great Neck to schedule a free consultation to see which non-surgical skin tightening procedure would give you the best results.

• ThermiRase

ThermiRase, also uses radio frequency therapy used to dissipate those pesky “11’s” between your eyebrows. Botox is usually the preferred “go-to” to handle these stubborn wrinkles, but with ThermiSmooth you can now get longer lasting results with no downtime. Heat is applied to the area several times over after a local anesthetic numbs the treatment area. Treatment is usually completed in 30 minutes or less with no downtime required.

Novathreads

Aristocrat Plastic Surgery and MedAesthetics is excited to offer NovaThreads, a new non-surgical procedure that can help that can help lift and build volume, with improved definition in areas that may experience loss of definition due to aging. NovaThreads can help your body build collagen in treated areas to increase fullness and help combat signs of aging.

Using dissolvable material, NovaThreads is a non-surgical procedure with minimal discomfort and results lasting from 6 months to two years depending on where the procedure is performed. NovaThreads can correct issues from crow’s feet to sagging, droopy skin.

Recovery from NovaThreads is minimal with patients occasionally experiencing some swelling, redness or bruising, but are typically able to resume normal activities 1-3 days after the procedure.

Silhouette InstaLift

Silhouette InstaLift is the latest in non-surgical treatments to target loose, droopy skin. By placing sutures deep into the layers of the skin, which help stimulate collagen growth for up to three months after your procedure, the Silhouette InstaLift lifts and tightens skin in the mid-face and neck with lasting results.

The Silhouette InstaLift derives from glycolide/L-lactide, a copolymer of biomedical nature with incredible absorption in the body and safety for long-term use. Dr. Tehrani will place the sutures deep into layers of the skin, while repositioning and lifting for an overall more refreshed, rested look. The whole procedure lasts about 45 minutes and is performed using only local anesthesia. Swelling or bruising can be expected post-treatment but this non-surgical procedure requires minimal downtime.

How To Tighten Skin – Surgical Skin Tightening Procedures

Sometimes, due to age, skin elasticity or other factors, laser skin tightening therapy may not be enough for you to correct your sagging skin. Don’t fret, Dr. Tehrani can help address your loose skin concerns and may recommend a surgical procedure such as a facelift or tummy tuck.

Facelifts (or rhytidectomy) are a surgical procedure where the surgeon is able to remove extra skin and fat, while retightening muscles on your face and neck resulting in tighter, firmer skin and an overall more youthful appearance. A facelift can eliminate sagging jowls and neck skin, while also reducing or eliminating stubborn fat deposits that can accumulate in the jaw and neck area. Depending on your case, Dr. Tehrani may recommend having a facelift as well as an eye or forehead lift to further turn back time and give you the look you desire.

For some patients, it’s not their facial skin that has them down, it’s excess skin on their bodies. Whether from a substantial weight loss, pregnancy or just poor genetics, there aren’t many options for excessive body skin saggy besides surgical interventions such as tummy tucks or body lifts.

Tummy tucks (or abdominoplasty) are when a plastic surgeon removes excess skin and fat and usually tightens the abdominal muscles that may be previously weakened. Fortunately, Dr. Tehrani has extensive experience with performing many different types of tummy tucks and can help guide you towards the best option to eliminate excess skin and fat. Some patients may also be candidates for an upper or lower body lift, depending on the severity of skin sagging and overall health.

Best Areas For Skin Tightening

With all the options for skin tightening it’s easy to get overwhelmed on what is best for your individual case. This can only be determined after speaking to a board-certified plastic surgeon to answer any questions and concerns. There are simply some non-invasive treatments that are unlikely to work depending on the severity and amount of sagging skin. While some areas are more commonly treated than others (think face, stomach, neck) there is no one size fits all in cosmetic surgery. Your doctor may recommend a more invasive procedure after your consultation to help you get the results you desire.

The most routinely treated areas for laser skin tightening are the face, stomach, neck, and buttocks, with surgical options available to help minimize wrinkling and sagging if laser therapy isn’t enough. While areas such as the thighs, arms, knees, and back usually require more extensive treatments to create the right aesthetic, patients usually report feeling more confident, happier and overall satisfaction following skin tightening procedures.

Ready for Skin Tightening? Consider These Do’s and Dont’s

So, ready to explore your options in skin tightening? Make sure that you review our tips below before taking on this elective procedure.

Do’s

• DO make sure that you are leading an active, fit lifestyle. We recommend doing strength or weight training to keep your body healthy and to maintain weight at appropriate levels for your overall body type/heath.
• DO exercise proper skin care. It is important to discuss with your doctor the best skin care regime for your specific skin type and desired results. Always make sure you are wearing moisturizer and sunscreen to prevent dry, dehydrated skin and to protect your skin from the sun. Some topical products, as well as some laser treatments, can make skin more susceptible to damage from UV rays.
• DO be sure to eat healthily. Most people don’t realize the impact that poor diet and nutrition can have on your skin. Some foods can cause inflammatory responses in the body which can surface on your skin. Make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet and getting enough vitamins and nutrients in the foods you consume.

Don’t’s

• DON’T expect overnight results. With any cosmetic procedure, you must allow adequate time to heal following your procedure. Whether waiting for swelling to subside post surgery or allowing your body to reproduce collagen following laser treatment, all procedures require patience from the patient to see results.
• DON’T let yourself become dehydrated. Hydration is key for overall body function, but did you know that dehydration can cause you to have dry, flaky and wrinkled skin? Additionally, as we age and skin loses elasticity, it makes it harder for water to enter our cells, which makes it easier for our skin to become dehydrated. This dehydration can affect our collagen and lead to wrinkles forming on the surface of the skin.
• DON’T lose weight too quickly. Not allowing your skin time to adjust to the amount of fat lost in a certain area can attribute to excess skin. Once the fat is lost, the same surface area remains which can be a factor in sagging skin. It is important to incorporate weight or strength training in your weight loss regime so that you can increase lean tissue to fill where the fat is lost to maintain tight, taut skin.

Conclusion

So, are you ready to stop letting sagging, droopy skin rob you of your youthful glow? If you’re tired of looking tired, contact our offices in Manhattan or Great Neck today! With all the options available, don’t let another day pass looking older than you have to. Let our world-renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Tehrani and the staff at Aristocrat Plastic Surgery and MedAesthetics help answer any questions and concerns to get you on the path to a rejuvenated, refreshed new you!