Many people wish to turn back the clock for a tighter, more youthful-looking complexion but aren’t ready to undergo surgery. We investigate some non-surgical options to tighten and elevate lax facial skin.
Non-surgical anti-ageing treatments are becoming increasingly popular for people who want to combat the signs of ageing without going under the knife. While a facelift is still considered the ‘gold standard’ in tightening and lifting sagging, creping skin, many patients may not be ready both psychologically and physically for such invasive surgery. For suitable candidates presenting with a small to moderate degree of skin laxity, non-surgical skin tightening modalities can offer an effective, natural-looking improvement and postpone the need for surgical procedures.
Non-surgical skin tightening typically involves minimal discomfort and downtime so patients can continue their daily routine as quickly as possible. These modalities can utilise either radiofrequency, ultrasound or infra red energy to target deeper levels of the dermis to induce new collagen formation and remodelling. This improves skin texture and reduces sagging skin, as well as offering subtle contouring of the jaw line and softening wrinkles around the mouth, eyes and forehead.
The most common skin tightening devices in Australia use radiofrequency technology and ultrasound energy to target the skin’s deeper dermis and subcutaneous layers, tightening the underlying tissue structure without damaging the outer layers of skin. This heating of the deep dermis and sub-dermal layers of the skin damages collagen in a controlled way, causing instant collagen contraction and promoting the body’s own healing mechanisms to produce new collagen over the ensuing months.
Non-surgical skin tightening modalities can offer an effective, natural-looking improvement and postpone the need for surgical procedures
It is commonly used to lift the brow and forehead, the under-eye area, cheeks, mid-face, jaw line and neck. This type of treatment is best suited for patients with mild to moderate sagging facial tissues, usually those in their mid-30s to 50s, and can be used on any skin colour. It is not suitable for those with more extensive redundant and loose skin.
Results are typically long-lasting, depending on the patient’s skin condition and severity of facial ageing and usually only one treatment is required. There is a small risk of swelling, redness and mild short-term blistering, however in skilled and experienced hands these complications can be minimised and most patients experience little or no downtime.
Non-surgical skin tightening modalities are also commonly combined with other treatments such as skin resurfacing for a more holistic approach to rejuvenating an ageing face.
