Plagued by less than taut skin but don’t want to go the
surgical route? From your face and your neck to your stomach and beyond,
loose skin can be treated nonsurgically with skin-tightening devices,
which offer real results—in record time—making them totally worth the
expense. “Skin tighteners are safe for all skin types and colors. They
are not long procedures—30 minutes at most. And, when used on the face,
they tighten skin in a way that is really natural,” says Montclair, NJ
dermatologist Jeanine B. Downie, MD. [Source: NewBeauty.com]
Fractional Laser in Atlanta
Fractional laser treatments are the newest form of laser skin
rejuvenation. Utilizing advanced laser technology, it is the treatment
of choice for fine lines and improved skin texture and appearance.
How it works: With a handful of options to
choose from, skin-tightening machines, which cost $50,000 to more than
$100,000, make use of radio-frequency or ultrasound energy, infrared
light or direct heat to tighten skin from the inside out. With each
treatment (six to eight every one to two weeks are needed, as well as
annual maintenance treatments; if you have your doctor perform it rather
than a physician’s assistant you’ll drive the cost up), the skin
tightens as new collagen grows via the energy source that was emitted.
What to expect: For the best results, you need
to have some loose skin but firm muscles. It can take three to six
months for the results to appear. “You can’t beat the results you get
for the price without having to undergo anesthesia and a recovery
period,” says Dr. Downie.
The benefits: “Skin tighteners are virtually pain- and downtime-free,” says Beverly Hills, CA, dermatologist Rhonda Rand, MD.
“It’s a great option for someone who doesn’t want to spend what surgery
costs or isn’t ready for surgery but wants to fix the laxity,” says
Carmel, IN, plastic surgeon Janet K. Turkle, MD.
The cost factor: Dr. Downie says that unlike a
facelift, which can run from $7,000 to $15,000, skin tighteners (most
machines are not first-generation and major research dollars have gone
into fine-tuning them) don’t put nearly as big of a dent in your bank
account. “A skin tightener isn’t even in the same ballpark price- wise.
There’s no downtime and next to no risk. You can’t even put a price tag
on that,” says Dr. Rand. However, they do not produce the same results
as a facelift.