Tissue Tightening Techniques: Which Should You Choose?

Have you noticed your skin looks loose or crepey as you get older? If you have, you aren’t alone. Sagging skin, along with wrinkles, happens naturally as we age.

The reason for sagging skin is related to elastin and collagen production. As we age, our skin loses the ability to produce elastin and collagen, which in turn causes our skin to lose firmness and elasticity. Luckily, we live in an age where we can fight against the changes with surgical and non-surgical procedures. Let’s look at non-surgical tissue tightening procedures.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses ultrasound waves to target and treats certain conditions. When we think of ultrasounds, we think of imaging. For example, obstetricians use ultrasound technology to give couples the first glimpse of their unborn child.

HIFU is a different kind of ultrasound. It doesn’t create images. Instead, highly focused sound waves interact with tissues to modify or destroy them. The beam from the ultrasound can pass through layers of tissue without harming anything that isn’t the target.

The energy of the HIFU causes a rise in tissue temperature. The heat from the temperature rise then destroys (ablates) the tissue in the targeted area. The heat from the ultrasound is sent deep into the skin, which can tighten and lift the skin, reducing wrinkles. Results vary, some appearing immediately and others after six months of treatment.

Hollywood Carbon Facials

A Hollywood carbon facial has several other names. It’s been called a Hollywood peel, a carbon laser peel, and a charcoal peel. The treatment combines the benefits of Q-Switch laser technology and charcoal.

The main goal of a Hollywood peel is skin rejuvenation. It’s designed to work against big pores, the signs of aging, and skin damage like acne or scars. The result of a Hollywood peel is a softer, glowing appearance.

The non-invasive treatment is gentle on the skin. There is no downtime with a Hollywood peel. Some patients could experience redness, which typically lasts only a few hours.

Photo Facials

Photo facials are also known as intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. IPL tackles many ills, from age spots to sun damage. The treatment uses short blasts of high-intensity light that cause more even tone and texture and younger, firmer-looking skin.

IPL is a skin rejuvenation treatment that usually only takes 30-60 minutes. It’s normal for skin to look swollen and slightly red during the treatment. Slight discomfort is also a normal part of the process.

Final thoughts

As we age, our skin sags and changes as a normal part of the aging process. Several tissue tightening techniques are available to help reduce the signs of aging. Beauty & Body by Mia can help determine which skin tightening technique is best for you.