Laser skin tightening is a non-surgical procedure used to make a person’s skin tighter, firmer, and younger looking. It is performed using a laser, which is an infrared source of light, that heats a protein called collagen under the patient’s skin. The treatment also stimulates the body to produce new collagen. This makes the skin contract and appear smoother and less wrinkled.
Good candidates for laser skin tightening include those who have begun to notice the sagging in the face and neck area that is common as people age. It is appropriate for both men and women and can be used on people of various skin types and tones. It may be particularly attractive to those who want a rejuvenation procedure that does not require a lot of recovery time. This procedure provides some immediate results with no downtime, as there are no cuts from which the patient has to recover.
The results a person can expect from laser skin tightening are usually less dramatic than those achieved with surgical cosmetic procedures. A person seeking dramatic changes may experience more satisfactory results with a surgical procedure, such as a thigh or face-lift. Individuals opting for such procedures also risk more serious complications and should expect some downtime for recovery.
Some people think of laser skin tightening as a procedure for tightening the face and making it look younger, but the technique can be helpful for many parts of the body. For example, a person may undergo it to make abdominal skin look smoother and less wrinkled. She may also use it to tighten the skin on the arms, thighs, and buttocks. In fact, laser skin tightening can be an effective treatment for those who want to make cellulite less noticeable.
Most people are able to see some improvement in their skin right after treatment. Many, however, continue to see gradual improvement over the course of one year following treatment. This is because the procedure stimulates collagen production beneath the skin, which gradually contributes to a more youthful appearance. New collagen can take several months to grow following treatment.
Laser skin tightening is considered safe for most people, but there are some possible side effects. For example, some people may experience redness and swelling after the procedure, which usually dissipates after a few days. Some people may have bruising and blistering as well, but such side effects are rare. In a very small percentage of cases, abnormal pigmentation changes occur after laser skin tightening.
