No one needs to treat loose skin, but if you’re ready, experts say these procedures are worth it.
After two years of an ongoing pandemic that brought the world to a standstill, I’m excited to return to in-person social events. I also learned that I couldn’t bring social media filters and Facetune to IRL events. That’s not really what I’m looking for – that our faces reveal something about our race, our character, our well-being, and how long we’ve been in this human experience. But I like to make adjustments, especially when it comes to loose skin.
As a child, my angelic face turned into an oval shape at the onset of puberty. But I love the defined jawline and high cheekbones I see on Hollywood stars and on Instagram. Starting at age 35, I also noticed a decrease in volume in my face. My skin started to loosen, which doctors said was due to rapid weight loss and the natural effects of time and environmental factors.
So I look for ways to solidify things. I’m willing to try anything that helps improve my loose skin. I initially tried skin care with chemical peels (such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids), which helped improve texture but didn’t cause the sagging skin I was concerned about. Here we get some bad news: “Topical medications will never combat any form of sagging,” says Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, a New York City board-certified dermatologist and author of The Anti-Aging Handbook (Paul Jarrod Frank) said. If I wanted to fight sagging, I had to go the injection route.
Fortunately, as part of my job, I have access to a group of experienced dermatologists who are able to tell me more than I need to know about the various non-surgical procedures for treating loose skin.
What causes sagging skin?
Understanding the causes of skin volume loss will help you combat skin sagging and take proactive steps to prevent it. In a nutshell, explains Lara Devgan, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City, “Skin sagging as we age is caused by the progressive loss of collagen and elastin.”
These are two naturally occurring proteins that are abundant in our tissues until they disappear with age. “Collagen provides tissue support and structure, while elastin provides tissue elasticity, elasticity, and the ability to stretch,” says Dr. Devgan. “Collagen and elastin are important for skin quality because together they enhance the skin’s plumpness and suppleness, making it look and feel stronger and healthier.” Over time and due to genetics or sun exposure With other factors such as UVA and UVB radiation, our cellular proteins begin to break down.
There are ways to mitigate these factors, such as wearing sunscreen every day and eating certain foods—Dr. Devgan recommends “a diet rich in biotin, folate, B-complex vitamins, lean protein, and micro- and macronutrients.”
However, there are some factors that are beyond your control. Rosemarie Ingleton, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, explains, “Race also determines how early or later signs of aging appear: Skin with less melanin will show signs of aging. .” Much earlier.
What non-surgical methods can treat laxity?
First, many experts I spoke with said minimally invasive treatments for loose skin are still testing their effectiveness. “Non-surgical treatment of loose skin remains the black box of plastic surgery,” says Dr. Devgan. She added that while there has been extensive research on the topic, “we don’t have a perfect answer yet to the [effectiveness] question of non-surgical skin tightening.” Many companies and research institutions are actively researching the topic, but We still don’t have a perfect cure. So there is no magic bullet.
Still, says Dr. Devgan sees some approaches as promising. PhD. Frank says he often uses a combination of treatments to target deep and superficial tissues and combat generalized laxity. Experts have identified several non-surgical options for treating skin laxity that need to be considered and consulted with a qualified physician to determine which method is right for your skin.
Radiofrequency (RF) Skin Tightening and Ultrasound
According to Dr. Devgan Radiofrequency Skin Tightening (RF) sends radio waves under the skin to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. In addition to radiofrequency skin tightening, ultrasound is another method worth considering because ultrasound can promote similar results, says Roy Geronemus, MD, director of the New York Center for Laser and Dermatology Surgery and clinical professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center.
I always associate ultrasound with diagnostic equipment used during pregnancy to monitor fetal development or a type of wand used by radiologists to detect kidney stones, but the process of using it to tighten skin is a little different. Ultrasound skin treatment involves shining a concentrated energy beam from an ultrasound machine onto the target area, creating heat in the dermis and stimulating collagen production.
Radiofrequency skin tightening starts at about $250 per session, with prices varying based on the size of the treatment area.
Injectable fillers
PhD. Ingleton tells us that patient interest in fillers is increasing. “For two years, people have been joining Zoom calls and staring at pictures of themselves, and it’s made them notice all kinds of age-related changes in their faces,” she said. “They are increasingly seeking fillers and Botox to look better on camera and in life.”
Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvéderm and Restylane can help compensate for collagen loss, adds Dr. Ingleton. “Some of these hyaluronic acid products can not only restore volume but also tighten sagging areas of the face, depending on the product used and the practitioner’s injection technique,” she says.
PhD. Devgan also cited the potential benefits of fillers “to build better bone structure in the aging face, support sagging tissue, and give the face a more comfortable shape.” Voluma is an example of a hyaluronic acid filler approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the cheeks.
This isn’t new to me – I’ve been using it to enhance my cheekbones for years. Like many non-surgical procedures, fillers need to be repeated from time to time to maintain their desired results. Most experts say the frequency varies from person to person, but generally every six months is a good rule of thumb.
PhD. Ingleton tells us fillers start at about $900 for a 1ml syringe, but prices vary based on the amount and type of filler used.
Microneedles
PhD. Ingleton believes that non-surgical treatments can actually help reduce the appearance of skin laxity, citing microneedling as a treatment that has shown results. Microneedling is a procedure that uses very small needles to create microscopic punctures in the skin to stimulate collagen production. According to Dr. Dr. Ingleton notes that skin tightening can be effective using microneedling combined with radiofrequency.
“Microneedle radiofrequency devices like the EndyMed Intensif puncture small holes in the skin and then deliver radiofrequency heat deeper into the skin, stimulating skin tightening over time,” she says. PhD. However, Ingleton warns us that “special precautions must be taken when performing radiofrequency microneedling on darker skin,” as people with more melanin are more likely to develop hyperpigmentation. Regardless of skin color, Dr. Frank adds that it’s best to avoid direct exposure to the sun for a few weeks after microneedling or any procedure where inflammation may occur.
Microneedling starts at about $300 per session.
Micro-viscera
For those who like to stay up to date: Dr. Geronemus says micronucleus surgery is “a new method that’s just being introduced that can also tighten the skin.” According to Practical Dermatology, dermal micronucleus surgery involves the use of non- An electric needle device makes tiny holes in the skin. Needle, guided by the grid.
Fine needles are very thin needles and therefore usually cause no pain to the patient. This procedure removes a small amount of superficial skin and leaves no scar. This causes the skin to shrink and tighten, while stimulating the production of collagen and elastin.
A micro-core drill called the Ellacor debuted last year after receiving FDA approval. PhD. Geronemus said each treatment costs $2,000 to $3,000, noting that more than one treatment is often needed.
Laser
Experts I spoke to said laser resurfacing is a beneficial skin treatment, although they didn’t all agree that it’s effective for skin tightening. Laser – which stands for stimulated emission of light amplification – uses a small, focused beam to stimulate collagen production.
On the side of laser skin tightening proponents, we have Dr. Devgan stating that the Erbium laser “can tighten the skin envelope.” The erbium laser beam is absorbed by the moisture in the skin and evaporates the skin tissue. The heat generated by the laser stimulates collagen formation, which is said to help tighten the skin.
Although Dr. While Frank sees the benefits of laser over other skin-improving treatments, he remains skeptical of its skin-tightening effects: “Laser is best for removing sun damage, broken capillaries, and melasma, but it doesn’t necessarily tighten skin,” He said. “However, eliminating sun damage can improve the overall quality and texture of your skin.”
Laser treatments vary greatly depending on the type of laser used and the size of the treatment area. Prices typically start at $750 per session for Fraxel laser treatments and $500 for Clear + Brilliant laser treatments.
Lift suture suspension
When I was in my 30s, I noticed that the skin around my eyes and chin was losing its elasticity. I looked tired and my jaw felt weak. I ended up trying Dr.’s thread lift. Devgan describes it as “a modern day thread lift.” This technique involves lifting and resuspending hanging or sagging tissue and is often used to tighten the cheek or eyebrow areas.
The surgery involves making several small incisions with internal sutures to shape the face. Sounds painful, right? Don’t worry, this isn’t for me. That’s because, according to Dr. Devgan “There are no incisions because the sutures are inserted through small needle pricks.”
And it’s fast too. “It causes the same downtime and discomfort as injectable fillers,” adds Dr. Devgan added. “This is an in-office procedure that takes about 15 minutes, and the patient will return to their normal appearance within an hour.”
What is the pain and recovery time with each treatment?
PhD. Frank tells Allure that recovery time and pain levels with these recommended methods should be very short for most patients. How painful something is and how long it takes a person to complete treatment are both subjective, but Dr. Frank adds that both factors “have to do with the amount of anesthesia the provider uses and the aggressiveness of the treatment.” Theoretically, the deeper the needle or suture goes, the greater the pain and the more time you’ll need to rest. long.
“The key here is that nothing is unbearable—no more than 5 or 6 on a 10-point pain scale,” adds Dr. Frank added. Experts I spoke to said post-operative downtime for non-surgical procedures is minimal, ranging from looking and feeling normal within the same day to up to a week.
“Injectable filler, radiofrequency, and suture suspension have minimal downtime, and patients appear ready to return to work or other activities shortly after surgery,” says Dr. Devgan. “Bruising and swelling are always a possibility but can be quickly covered with makeup. Depending on the energy setting, the laser will cause varying degrees of redness.”
PhD. Geronemus added that most patients who opt for micropiercing can expect a recovery time of about three days.
Which treatment is right for me?
One thing is clear: everyone deserves to treat or keep their skin the way they want to. No one needs to spend time or money treating loose skin, but there are other options if you choose. Only you and a licensed professional can determine the right path.
According to Dr. “Some treatments vary widely based on the needs and concerns of the patient,” Devgan said. “Individual advice is necessary because the scope of procedures can be very different.”
During the meeting with the physician, Dr. Geronemus asks the physician about his or her surgical experience, whether the procedure was commissioned or performed by a physician, and whether the equipment used by the physician is best suited for the specific clinical need.