Skin Tightening
As we get older and our skin begins to age, the connective tissue that gives it is firmness begins to break down. The break down is due to sun exposure, heredity and the normal aging process. The collagen, beneath the skin, weakens and skin becomes loose; it starts to sag and wrinkle. Weight loss in large amounts will also cause the skin to become loose and sag. Skin tightening refers to techniques used to assist in the reactivating of the collagen within the structure of the skin to firm up loose skin and give a more firm, taught and youthful appearance.
Very loose skin requires a surgical approach for the most effective results. Surgical techniques performed to achieve firming and tightening include face and brow lifts, body lifts to arms and legs, and tummy tucks. This is achieved through incisions made in the skin to remove excess tissue and to tighten muscle structures. The surgical approach may require anesthesia and often has a considerable recovery time.
Moderately loose or wrinkled skin has more options for effective skin tightening results. Non-surgical techniques work to reactivate the collagen below the surface to firm up the skin. This can be accomplished with the use of laser technology. Several treatments are now available for resurfacing and tightening the skin. Ablative (elimination of tissue) and partially ablative lasers are used to resurface and tighten facial skin. Examples of this type of lasers include the CO2 and fractional lasers such as the Fraxel or Active FX. This is accomplished as the heat removed the top layers of skin and then penetrates to below the skin surface, causing a thermal damage. As the body begins to heal itself the skin to starts to regenerate and reactivate collagen. The result is tighter firmer skin replacing loose sagging skin.
Non ablative lasers are also able to firm and tighten skin with little to no down time. Wavelengths of light are able to penetrate deep below the skin surface to cause thermal injury. The thermal injury then initiates a healing reaction which reactivates the collagen bonds. The results are firmer skin tissue to the treated areas. Non surgical techniques have minimal risk and minimal recovery times, making them very attractive to the consumer who wants to be rejuvenated without a lengthy recover period. Examples of lasers that claim to tighten skin include the Affirm, Titan, and Thermage.
Topical treatments that claim to be able to firm up skin tissue are generally temporary, last only a few hours. Creams or lotions generally work on the surface of the skin and cannot really accomplish reactivating the collagen on the deeper layers of the skin. While they can brighten the skin and slough off some fine lines and wrinkles, they are a good tool to maintain some of the more aggressive procedures. |
