As we age our skin loses its elasticity and starts to sag – on both the face and body. This process is made even marked if you’ve lost a large amount of weight or gone through the rapid weight gain then loss of pregnancy. The problem is that whatever diet and exercise regime we follow, once skin has lost the ability to spring back, we need to look at intervention in the form of aesthetic treatments.
Skin tightening: Am I suitable?
For skin tightening you need to shrink the collagen and elastin fibres by heating the tissue, but this is only suitable for patients who have a smaller degree of sagging skin. If you have lost massive amounts of weight and been left with a lot of sagging skin, then there is little that non-invasive aesthetic treatments can do and you should investigate surgery – see body lift surgery.
Some skin tightening treatments are aimed at the face and body and some are just suitable for facial skin tightening.
Skin tightening: What do I have to do to prepare?
There is no preparation necessary for these treatments.
Skin tightening: What’s the treatment like?
The collagen and elastic fibres in the skin are heated and the main difference between the treatments is the energy source that heats these.
Radiofrequency
Thermage; Thermage is a pure skin tightening treatment and can be used on the face, including under the eyes, neck, stomach, arms, hands, thighs and buttocks.
BodyTite; as well as removing fat deposits, the radiofrequency energy causes the skin to tight at the same time.
Pelleve; this is a radiofrequency, skin tightening treatment that is aimed just at the face. It is suitable for most people who are looking for skin tightening of the jowls, forehead, neck or cheeks. It can also produce a tightening effect around the eyes.
Ultrasound
Ulthera; Ultrasound energy is used to heat the deep tissue layers under the skin’s surface. Ulthera can be done on any part of your face including the forehead, temples, mid and lower face, and jaw line. In some cases, the neck is also treated.
Skin tightening: What about after?
Skin tightening results vary – some patients see fantastic results and some see no benefit at all. Seeing a practitioner who has had a lot of experience in these treatments is important as they will hopefully be able to assess whether you’ll get the results you want.
Skin tightening: Are there any risks or side effects?
There are virtually no side effects of these treatments and little downtime.
Skin tightening: What will it cost me?
Thermage costs from £1,500.
BodyTite; One treatment should be sufficient and costs from £2,500 to £5,000 depending on how many areas are being treated.
Pelleve; Pelleve treatments cost from £600 approximately.
Ulthera; this costs from £300 and upwards depending on what degree of tightening is necessary and how many areas are treated.
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