Smaller areas of the skin can be made to look tighter and with less visible lines and wrinkles thanks to laser skin tightening, which promises immediate initial results. Dr. Pooja Malik of Mullica Hill Skincare in Mullica Hill, New Jersey, talks here about why it can be a good alternative to the more invasive laser skin resurfacing.
Laser skin tightening is a treatment that involves use of a laser that uses an infrared light with certain wavelengths. It blasts quick pulses of light, which heat the collagen fibers underneath the skin and make the skin retract. This is all a part of laser lipolysis, with laser skin tightening considered to be the latest advancement in that area.
Different companies and products use different wavelengths to tighten of the skin. The laser we use here at Mullica Hill Skincare is called Sciton. The advantage is that is has two wavelengths — the first is 1064, for the melting of fat, and the second is 1319, for the skin tightening. They work together to produce an effect which you can see immediately, and are ideal when it comes to smaller areas like the chin, inner arms and inner thighs. It also works well for women who have had children.
Good for Smaller Areas
We use the two wavelengths right after one another. It heats the collagen fibers and causes them to contract, ideal for the smaller areas where there is little fat, such as the chin, and also in other areas where you just want the skin tightened. For the chin, we simply heat the undersurface of the skin to about five to eight degrees higher than normal, which causes tissue tightening through coagulation and results in skin tightening.
Laser skin tightening has no downtime, and the effects of the treatment will continue to improve over subsequent weeks. It is considered a non-invasive treatment with none of the risks associated with some similar treatments. While you can expect to experience some facial reddening at first, most people can resume their day immediately afterwards.
Little Discomfort
Few people experience any pain or discomfort with laser skin tightening. Most people say it feels like the snap of an elastic band on the skin. And unlike laser skin resurfacing, which actually removes the top layers of the skin, this treatment causes far less discomfort and does not break the layer of the skin, or cause any burning.
Laser skin tightening is great for people who want to see an almost immediate improvement to the laxity of their skin, whether it be the facial area, the chin or other parts of the body. If you want to experience a more youthful appearance with no downtime and immediate results, this could be a good treatment for you.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
