Laser Skin Tightening – A Guide to Youthful Skin
If you’re someone who is not familiar with what laser skin tightening is, let us explain. In a nutshell, LST (laser skin tightening) is a skin treatment that is performed to tighten, strengthen, and enhance the skin to achieve a more healthy, youthful appearance. Many people confuse LST with invasive plastic surgery when really, this procedure only involves the use of lasers to correct aged skin.
Invasive surgeries that involve tightening the skin such as rhytidectomy (facelift) or abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) use a strategic method to remove excess or saggy skin by pulling and stretching it tight to one area of a person’s face, neck or appendage. After, the excess skin is then cut away and disposed of, allowing the newly stretched skin to be stitched into its new location.
What Exactly is Laser Skin Tightening?
Laser skin tightening “LST” refers to the method in which loose, saggy skin is tightened internally by the use of laser treatments. During this process, internal fibers of the skin are targeted with laser pulses which use energy to heat the deeper layers of skin to stimulate collagen and elastin production. This type of skin tightening is found to be the most effective because the process internally strengthens the skin’s collagen matrix.
During the younger years of our lives, collagen fibers found within our skin are interlinked into a densely packed and tightly woven matrix, making collagen the primary reason behind our skin’s tone, elasticity, resilience, fullness, and strength. Meaning, those who have more collagen in their skin, maintain better skin health over time.
Laser Skin Tightening Enhances Collagen
As we age over time, our skin slowly begins to change due to the destruction of collagen found within our bodies. Weather conditions such as extensive sun exposure also contribute to the effects of aged skin. With decreased collagen, our skin will eventually become loose and disconnected, showing significant signs of age. Other signs of skin aging include thinner skin, weakened skin, loose skin, sagging skin, and wrinkled skin.
However, the good news is, with the help of laser skin tightening treatments, you can significantly reverse skin deterioration and cause the collagen fibers to become tighter once again, thus resulting in healthier, youthful skin.
The best part? Skin tightening laser treatments are non-surgical procedures, meaning they are typically non-invasive, very safe, require little-to-no downtime, and are relatively inexpensive!
Over the past 20 years, it has shown that the majority of patients respond best to this type of procedure when multiple treatments are combined in a customized protocol that helps maximize the skin’s ability to tighten, remodel and regenerate newer, healthier collagen. This method is known as Multiple Modality.
Evidence suggests advanced protocols that are combined with each treatment show higher rates of effectiveness in skin tightening when combined with specific types of lasers. These protocols include RF (Radio Frequency) devices, ultrasound devices, and a treatment that uses tiny little needles called “micro-needling,” or Collagen Induction Therapy.
The Science of Skin Tightening
Utilizing these different protocols can improve how effective each treatment is. The underlying principle is that these types of protocols interact with more elements of a patient’s physiology than any single modality. This is especially crucial in terms of laser skin tightening due to the number of different physiological functions that are involved in creating and maintaining a healthy collagen matrix by generating new collagen, repairing damaged collagen, and remodeling collagen.
Each laser device involved during the procedure that is used in combination with a laser skin tightening protocol would be particularly useful at stimulating one of those natural physiological functions, ensuring that all the needed functions are stimulated and that the patient’s skin responds with the most robust response possible.
Tighten Skin Anywhere With Laser Skin Tightening
Another essential aspect of the multiple-modality approach is that any skin on the body, varying in condition, can be treated considerably. The protocols are designed to be customizable, specific for what the particular area of skin needs.
Treatable areas and available non-invasive procedures include:
- Non-Surgical Facelift
- Tummy Tuck
- Mommy Tummy
- Stretch Marks
- Sagging Jowls
- Elephant Knees
- Loose Skin after Weight Loss
- Turkey Neck
- Arms
- Under the Chin
- Stomach
- Face
- Neck
- Thighs
Generally speaking, a series between 3 to 5 laser skin tightening treatments that are approximately in 8-10 week intervals will provide a patient with significant results.
The Cost of Laser Skin Tightening
Many of us want to achieve a younger-looking complexion that is free of wrinkles, fine lines, and unflattering saggy skin. In most cases, the amount of time and money that is required to have plastic surgery discourages patients from having it performed. It is for that reason laser skin tightening is becoming an increasingly popular skin rejuvenation method that is not only affordable but quick as well.
Numerous factors influence the cost of skin tightening laser treatments. In most cases, each patient will require a skin rejuvenation method that is designed especially for his or her needs, ultimately adding to the price of the procedure. As advances in cosmetic dermatology are created, many different skin tightening systems become accessible, offering various levels of light intensity and cooling mechanisms that treat the skin effectively. The type of equipment used during laser skin tightening will also affect the cost of the procedure.
Also, skin tightening cost will differ in price based on the size of the area that needs to be treated as well as the number of treatments necessary to give you the best results. An experienced dermatologist or licensed technician will be able to provide you with a reasonable price estimate that will be based on your desired outcome. Generally speaking, laser skin tightening costs range between the price range of $500 to $3500 per session.
We recommend reaching out to more than one dermatologist or laser boutique to get a quote on the best price available. Also, be sure to keep in mind that some places that offer laser treatments may require a fee to have a consultation.
