Skin Tightening

When we are born, our skin is full and rich with proteins called elastin and collagen. Each of these proteins gives our skin its structure and elasticity. As we age, our body begins producing these proteins in smaller quantities. As a result of the natural reduction of these proteins, our skin loses its youth and elasticity.

In addition, the effects of gravity, exposure to pollution, stress, and the way our skin and muscles respond to our everyday movements and growth, we may notice our skin becoming stretched, wrinkled, or sag over time. Other factors may also contribute to changes in our skin: pregnancy or weight loss being some of the more common culprits of stretch marks and skin sagging.

However, there are many effective, nonsurgical treatments that target the areas of skin which have become loose over time and encourage the body to produce collagen and elastin naturally. Below, we will address some of the more popular skin tightening procedures that we utilize at WellMedica.

RADIOFREQUENCY & LASER SKIN TIGHTENING

Some of the most popular skin tightening treatments are those which use radiofrequency (RF) or laser technologies to heat the skin and trigger an increase in collagen production. Both laser and RF treatments focus on deeper, epidermal layers to achieve a more firm, smoother appearance. RF tends to address a larger patch of skin, while laser treatments address a more specific, targeted area. Each of these procedures are nonsurgical, office-based treatments that boast little to no recovery time. Some of the procedures and technologies used at WellMedica include:

RF Procedures

Venus Freeze™ & Venus Legacy™

Both Venus Freeze™ and Venus Legacy™ stimulate the body’s natural healing response by causing a thermal reaction within the deeper tissues. Both utilize multi-polar radio frequency technologies that induce new collagen, elastin fibers, and fibroblast production – resulting in a tighter and more smooth looking appearance.

ThermiTight

ThermiTight is formally described as “thermistor-controlled subdermal skin tightening,” which basically means that regulated heat is targeted at the collagen layer of the skin. To get under the skin, the ThermiRF™ system is used along with a tiny probe, called the SmartTip™ thermistor probe, which is inserted just below the surface. Dr. Dima Ali delivers radiofrequency energy into the area through gentle movements, which heats the subdermal tissue to a specific internal temperature. She uses the thermal image guidance to monitor external temperatures and ensure the safety of the skin. Most procedures last less than an hour and are followed up with a gentle wrap. As for downtime post-ThermiTight treatment, you should be able to resume normal activities as early as the next day.

Venus Viva™ MD

Venus Viva™, is a device that allows us to gain the results of full-face laser resurfacing without downtime and risks. Venus Viva™ is like getting a CO2, Erbium, Fraxel, and Vbeam laser all in one.

The Viva™ device uses patented nanofractional radiofrequency and SmartScan® technology to deliver energy to the dermis. This generates heat in a controlled manner to initiate skin change, rebuilding collagen and fibroblast stimulation, all resulting in tissue remodeling. This achieves results with minimal discomfort and very little to no downtime.

The state-of-the-art patented tip allows for a depth of penetration up to 500 microns and provides varying energy densities, enabling simultaneous ablation of the epidermis and coagulation of the dermis area resulting in skin resurfacing with minimal discomfort.

It treats everything from fine lines and wrinkles to skin laxity, tone and texture, large pores, hyperpigmentation (even melasma), acne scarring, redness/rosacea, and age spots. It sounds too good to be true, but it really works.

Laser Treatments

Co2 Laser

CO2RE® is a fractional therapy CO2 laser for skin resurfacing. Your skin is treated with a matrix of laser pulses that vary in intensity, depending on your skin type and desired treatment results. The result is a treatment that is fast, more comfortable, and requires less downtime than traditional resurfacing — enabling you to get back to your daily routine much quicker. CO2RE® has been proven effective in enhancing skin tone and texture, eliminating the effects of the sun and aging on the skin, smoothing out lines, wrinkles, and addressing scars. Treatments can vary based on the extent of skin resurfacing you’re looking for.

UltraClear™ Laser

UltraClear™ has a versatile, cutting-edge micro channeling technology, making it ideal for treating a full range of skin conditions, notably lines, age spots, scars, uneven skin tone, sun damage, discoloration, and even sagging skin by affecting multiple skin layers to generate healthy new skin cells. It is truly a transformative and customizable solution for skin rejuvenation. It can be used for light lunchtime resurfacing or for remodeling deep scars on every skin type without the risks associated with previous devices.

Some treatments combine intense pulsed light (IPL) with radiofrequency to reach deeper layers of skin in order to induce the same natural healing response to shape and tighten the skin. Combining IPL with RF allows for us to treat skin on multiple levels for a more effective treatment. At WellMedica, we use VelaShape.

VELASHAPE

It is the perfect, nonsurgical answer for treating those "problem areas" that cause women to feel so displeased with their body image. VelaShape provides a highly effective solution for comfortable, non-invasive body contouring for a wide range of patients and treatment areas. VelaShape enables you to safely achieve a toned, contoured, and well-shaped body in as few as 4 treatment sessions, making you look and feel more youthful. The results are gradual, smoothing of the skin’s surface with a noticeable reduction in cellulite and offering circumferential reduction with noticeable reshaping of the treated area.

SKINPEN® (MICRONEEDLING)

SkinPen® can also be referred to as microtherapy, microneedling, micropen, dermapen, or skin needling. The at-home version, called derma roller, is also classified as microneedling. As a consumer, the options and information can be overwhelming. WellMedica has done the research and homework for you, and chose the SkinPen® for many reasons, most importantly its sterility and the patient’s safety.

The at-home use of derma rollers can be a breeding ground for bacteria or hepatitis, so we usually advise that patients steer clear of that option. Other in-office devices do not have the patented bio-sleeve technology that eliminates cross-contamination and SkinPen® is the only stainless-steel medical-grade device for microneedling on the market.

SkinPen® needle stamping creates thousands of micro channels or micro-injuries in the skin, which causes the skin to produce new collagen. The micro-injuries also create channels that allow products to penetrate more effectively into the deeper layers of skin. Essentially, SkinPen® can trick your body into producing a large quantity of chemicals that are designed to heal. Since there is no significant injury to your skin, the healing chemicals are usually able to rejuvenate instead.

PROFOUND® RF

The Profound® treatment delivers a precise time and temperature combination to the skin and uses your body’s natural healing process to create new elastin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. It stimulates your body to naturally revitalize and smooth the skin’s appearance. The Profound® treatment is your alternative to surgery for improving the appearance of cellulite, reducing wrinkles, and eliminating sagging skin.

Reasons why Profound® RF may be right for you:

• 1 nonsurgical treatment offers a 100% response rate for facial wrinkles.
• 1 nonsurgical treatment offers a 94% response rate for cellulite.
• Creates up to 5x the elastin to bring the snap back to aging skin.
• Naturally reproduces collagen to revitalize your skin.
• Reduces the appearance of cellulite.

Nonsurgical skin tightening is becoming more and more popular as the technologies and mechanics continue to evolve and produce desired results with little to no recovery time. If you happen to be bothered by skin laxity, notice sagging skin on your face, neck, or body, nonsurgical skin tightening may be the best alternative for you. They are perfect for temporarily halting the collagen and elastin reduction process and ensure a restored, firmer, smoother, and more youthful appearance with minimal recovery required!

BENEFITS OF NONSURGICAL SKIN TIGHTENING

• Tightens loose skin on the face, neck, or body with no scarring or plastic surgery required.
• Multiple treatments can also provide a “lifting” effect.
• Little to no downtime.
• Very low risk of adverse effects if done in-office by our board-certified doctor.
• Treatments are usually short and last just about an hour or more.
• Often, results can last up to a little over 1 - 3 years.

NONSURGICAL LIMITATIONS

• Often, the best results appear gradually over time (at times, up to a couple of months post-treatment).
• Multiple treatments are often required to achieve your desired results.
• Treatments may need to be repeated annually to maintain results.
• Some nonsurgical procedures may be limited when treating advanced sagging and stretched skin (i.e. extreme weight loss or stretching from pregnancy).