Beauty’s Skin Deep: Popular Skin Tightening Surgical Procedures

According to statistics released by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, India ranks among the top five nations for cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures. With the growing economy, awareness and social demands, aesthetic procedures are gaining popularity among youngsters and adults alike.

Among the common aesthetic treatments, skin tightening is the most popular age defying surgical procedure. Skin is the first testimony of waning years. Wrinkles, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, puffs and sags are the common dermatological issues that begin to affect people even before they come of age. Rapid weight loss treatments, poor diet, stress, alcoholism, frequent and long exposure to the sun, and post-pregnancy weight loss ill-management, are some of the other factors that lead to skin loosening and pre mature are sagging. 

  

There are many effective and painless skin rejuvenation procedures available in the market today. However, none of them is “one size fits all” surgery that you can take up without prior research and expert advice. Here’s a brief about the skin rejuvenation surgical options available to help you decode the confusing terminologies of skin tightening laser procedures: 

Arasys Inch Loss System

It is a skin toning procedure used only on a larger body parts. Skin gets toned due to muscle build up as electric impulses are used to contract and stimulate nerves. It is akin to muscle exercise and therefore makes the patient lose 2 to 6 inches per treatment, building mass and tightening skin along the way. 

Refirme™

A painless skin tightening option, Refirme is an FDA approved procedure which uses bi-polar radio frequencies and targeted heat energy to tighten skin. It removes wrinkles using new path breaking technology called Elos. This aesthetic medical procedure has a lesser downtime as compared to other treatments. 

Ablative Fractionated Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser

Ablative and non-ablative lasers are the two main types of lasers that are used for skin tightening treatment. While in ablative lasers the top skin is damaged or vaporized to reveal the flawless skin underneath, in non-ablative lasers the cosmetic issues are treated without damaging the outer skin. 

The Ablative Fractioned CO2 Laser is considered the most effective skin rejuvenating surgical treatment as it allows rapid healing and has lesser side-effects as compared to other procedures. 

If you are looking for skin tightening around the eyes, also called eye lift, fractioned CO2 laser is the best choice, recommend experts. Fraxel repair is a viable option if skin resurfacing, wrinkle reduction, acne scars and hyper pigmentation are your concern. However, fractioned CO2 laser surgery requires more than one sitting for desirable results. 

Monopolar Radiofrequency (Thermage)

Thermage is another common skin tightening procedure that has gained popularity in the recent years. It is a non-invasive skin lifting technique which uses intense radio frequencies to facilitate the growth of collagen. Although patients report that the results of this skin procedure is not as dramatic as facelift, but it is noticeable. The procedure requires one hour long sitting but requires repetition every 1-3 years to maintain surgical results. 

Focused Ultrasound (Ulthera)

This non-invasive skin tightening technology is based on the use of ultrasound used to visualize through the skin to target and treat deep support structures. It is a deep skin treatment in which the underlying affected area is detected, targeted and heated to stimulate the growth of collagen, a type of protein which holds the skin and keeps it tight, giving it elasticity and firmness. The procedure takes 3-4 months for the results to surface as collagen in the cells grow back and gradually lifts the skin, making it appear younger and healthier.